"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things." (Romans 14:1 NKJV)

We do not go by what man says - we go by what God says.

"Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?" He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men--the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition." (Mark 7:1-9 NKJV)

The Pharisees (or a religious person) only wanted to pick Jesus apart.

• In verse 4 we see that they were following tradition - not God's Law. Jesus only called the Pharisees and the Saducees hypocrites.
• Verse 5 - The religious ones were who was trying to get the people to obey the "traditions". (What we teach has to line up with the Word - not just be the "traditions of men").
• Verse 8 - They skillfully sidestepped God's law to hold on to their traditions. Satan wants to deceive up and will act through the leaders if he can.

How do we decide a doubtful thing?

"But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, "and saying: 'We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.' "For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a demon.' "The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children." (Matthew 11:16-19 NKJV)

• John made the religious people uncomfortable.
• Wisdom is shown to be right by its results.
• The religious people were trying to put Jesus in a box.

Where is the balance?

"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things." (Romans 14:1 NKJV)

We should not dispute over doubtful things.

What are doubtful things?

Legalism

Something added to the Word. Traditions pushed on others as doctrine.

Making  major issues out of minor matters.

(Change has to come from the inside out.)

You cannot preach experience as doctrine when there is no scripture to support it.

God did not call Christians to be divorced from society nor live behind wassl and refuse to interact.

In Galatians 5:13, we have the "Law of Liberty".

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13 NKJV)

There are specific things mentioned in the Bible that are wrong.

 Highlights from Pastor Bjorklund's February 21, 2010 message