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Legalism In Christianity
Destroys Life

Quick Look: This article explores the definition of legalism in Christianity and how it is embedded in our sinful nature, defining it as disconnecting God's Law from His Character. Using Adam and Eve's fall as the foundational example, it demonstrates how they became the first legalists by focusing on the one forbidden tree rather than enjoying God's abundant provision. Satan exploited this by promoting Traditional Legalism—viewing God as harsh and demanding rather than loving and protective. The article explains how some people swing to the opposite extreme of Antinomianism, believing grace eliminates the need for law entirely. Both forms divorce God's Law from His Character. The solution presented is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, which reveals that God's Law reflects His loving and protective nature. Through Christ's sacrifice, we can view the Law as a friend rather than an enemy, keeping it out of love rather than obligation.

In our sinful nature, we are all legalists. This may surprise you, but even antinomists [anti-law people] are trapped in a form of legalism. If we are going to understand the dangers of legalism that is embedded in our sinful DNA, we need to start with a definition. Legalism results from disconnecting the Law of God from the Character of God. Think about that definition for a moment.

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The First Act Of Legalism

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband with her, and he ate. Gen. 3:6, NIV

Let’s go back in time to the first act of legalism. God gave Adam and Eve an entire garden to enjoy, develop, and expand until it covered the earth. What an exciting project. Hundreds, probably thousands, of trees stood in the Garden of Eden, many bearing delicious fruit. God asked them to show their gratitude and love by respecting His property rights and not eating from one tree. One tree among thousands.

Yet in this vast, beautiful garden, where do we find Adam and Eve? They are near the forbidden tree, perhaps looking at it. The text gives no indication that the serpent had to convince Eve to come to the tree; she was already there. And Eve didn’t have to go looking for Adam; he was by her side.

Of the millions of things they could have been doing or places they could have been, they were contemplating what God had told them not to do. They were making it easy for the serpent to make them legalists - to separate the Law of God from the Character of God.

Legalism In Christianity:
Traditional Legalism

Satan’s first move was to tempt her to be a Traditional Legalist. God had proven His good, loving and generous nature by giving them this beautiful garden, each other, enjoyable and challenging work and much more. How could anyone doubt the goodness and purity of the Character of God? Yet, because of one thing that God had asked them not to do, Satan separated the Law of God from the Character of God. Could God really be good if His Law were harsh and unreasonable? Subtly, the serpent used a false image of God's Law to create a false image of God.

This is what happens in Traditional Legalism. The foundation of God’s negative law system is that whatever is not forbidden is permitted. [We study this in detail in our Master Life course.] God is good, loving and generous. There are millions upon millions of wonderful, healthy things we could be doing, yet our eyes are drawn to the relatively small circle of forbidden things - things that are forbidden because they are harmful to us. Then our image of God changes from a loving heavenly Father to a harsh, demanding Judge who is just waiting to blast us for the slightest infraction. We have divorced the Law of God from God's character. The Law is no longer the gift of our generous Father to keep us safe in a world infected with sin, but the unreasonable demands of an uncaring god. We slave to keep this impossible law and force others to do so to please a god who can never be pleased. We have rejected the true God and made one of our own.

Legalism In Christianity:
Antinomianism

Some people stop in this Traditional Legalist trap, but not Eve. She swung to the opposite form of Legalism - Antinomianism. Antinomians think they have done away with the Law of God. They also divorce the Law of God from God's character. This idea is often expressed as “we are under grace, not law.” They view the Law as the Old Testament, and Grace as the New Testament. They believe that it doesn’t matter what they do; God will still love them.

Eve reacted against the harsh image of God and moved to the opposite extreme. She believed she could violate God's Law and still maintain her relationship with the Holy and Righteous God. She moved into Antinomianism by divorcing God's Law from God's character.

The Solution

The only answer to every kind of legalism is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is holy. His Law is the uncompromising standard of holiness and life. It reveals the Character of God. It shows us that He is a loving Father who doesn’t want us to get hurt. It is like the father “commanding” his son not to put his hand on a hot stove.

Because God is righteous and holy, He must remain true to His nature and punish every infraction of His law to the fullest degree. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus Christ took our punishment for the broken law. We can now stand pure and innocent before our loving Father. Now we can view the Law of God not as an enemy, but as a friend. If we truly love God, we should want to keep the Law. After all, Jesus perfectly kept the Law of God, and we are being transformed into His image. We study this in detail in our free Master Life course. If you haven’t taken it yet, I highly recommend you do.

Legalism In Christianity
Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How Can We Distinguish Between Healthy Reverence For God's Law And Harmful Legalism In Our Daily Lives?

Answer: If we use the Law to gain or maintain our salvation, we are in trouble. We abuse the Law, since Jesus Christ is our only righteousness. If we use the Law as God's method for aligning our lives with His holy nature and growing to know and love Him more, then we are using the Law in a healthy way.

Question: How Does Understanding God's Character Help Us Properly Interpret His Commands And Restrictions?

Answer: When we understand that God is our [the Christians] loving Father, who only wants what is best for us, we can see the Law of God as a gift to show us how to live our best and most fulfilled life. We want to keep the Law because it pleases our gracious heavenly Father, who has done so much for us.

Question: Why Did God Allow The Forbidden Tree In The Garden If He Knew Adam And Eve Would Be Tempted?

Answer: God did not want robots. Adam and Eve could choose to love and obey God only if they had another choice.

Glenn Davis is a Christian author and Bible teacher whose work draws on more than 40 years of study, writing, and teaching in local churches. He has written 700+ articles, created five Bible courses, published three books, and shared 300+ Bible videos on YouTube. Readers can find his books on Amazon, follow his teaching on YouTube or visit Glenn Davis Books. Away from the keyboard, he enjoys time with family, reading, walking, and board or card games.

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