In Mark 7:9–13 Jesus confronted the religious leaders about their outward devotion to God that amounted to no more than pure selfishness. By declaring something “intended” for their parents as a gift to God, it was then used for themselves. This human tradition had nullified the Sovereign command to honor one’s parents. The human mind has an amazing capacity to rationalize away responsibility through a process of self-deception. No doubt the religious leaders advocated for the laws of God, including the command to respect one’s parents, but by vowing money to the temple that normally would have been spent to support aged parents, they were no longer obligated to care for them. Their scrupulous attention to legal details allowed them to violate the spirit of the law. A serving leader stays devoted to God by denying self, serving others, and maintaining a focus on both the intention and the spirit behind a mandate.

KEY QUESTIONS: When have I rationalized my way into a bad decision? Have I ever focused on the “details of the law” at the expense of the “spirit of the law?” How could I prevent that from happening again? How might others help me discover self-deception?