11 But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” 14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”

Have you ever pulled the "God card" to get yourself out of something? It's easier than we'd like to admit. Maybe you have said some similar things to what Pastor Caleb mentioned on Sunday, "I'd love to help you move, but the Lord told me I need to rest today." Translation: I don't want to do anything. Or perhaps, "God told me we're just supposed to be friends." Translation: I'm not attracted to you, but I don't want to be the bad guy. Or maybe, "I'd sign up to serve somewhere but the Lord told me I need to focus on me in this season." Translation: I really just don't want to commit.

The Pharisees had their own version of this loophole called the "Corban" vow. Corban means "gift." So the associated vow designated something one owned as belonging to God and therefore rendered it unusable for any other purpose. It worked like this: "I would help you with this, or I would be generous and loan this to you, but I've already committed it to God." It sounded spiritual, but it was really just an excuse to avoid responsibility.

Just like a farmer who claims the barn is dedicated to God so he doesn't have to share his harvest with his neighbors, the Pharisees were using spirituality as a cover for selfishness. They would even use this loophole to avoid taking care of their own parents! Jesus called them out on it in Mark 7 because this loophole was actually making void the word of God.

Here's the thing: we all have our own version of pulling the God card when we don't want to commit to something or look bad. We hide behind spiritual language to avoid uncomfortable situations or responsibilities. But Jesus calls us out of hiding behind loopholes or even spiritual excuses. He says let your yes be yes and let your no be no.

The issue isn't whether God actually speaks to us or leads us. Of course He does! The issue is when we use God's name as an excuse to avoid honesty or commitment. When we do this, we're focusing on external things to justify internal issues. Jesus is diagnosing an integrity issue. The Pharisees and religious leaders were focused on external things, but He is pointing out to us that it's an internal issue. Sin flows from the heart and out through our words and actions. These religious technicalities and loopholes were causing them to walk with a lack of integrity, and they can do the same to us.

True integrity means being honest, even when it's uncomfortable. It means saying no when you mean no, without needing a spiritual excuse. It means being straightforward about your intentions and limitations. It means honoring God's name by using it with reverence, not as a get out of jail free card.

Tomorrow, we'll look at another loophole the Pharisees created to bypass real accountability.

Practice saying a simple, honest "no" today without adding spiritual justifications. If you can't or don't want to do something, be direct and kind about it without using God as your excuse.

I’m praying that the Holy Spirit frees you from feeling like you need to use God’s name or a spiritual excuse to avoid commitment. And I’m believing that through prayer and the grace of our Heavenly Father, you’ll walk in the freedom that comes from simple, honest obedience.