Let Alone (3)—“Let Them Alone” - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.
Matthew 15:14

Let Alone (3)—"Let Them Alone"
This is a solemn verdict—awfully solemn! It was spoken by Christ in reference to the false teachers of that day—the teachers who placed tradition above Scripture, and who taught for doctrines, the commandments of men. Of religion, such as it was, they had plenty, for they drew nigh with their mouth, but their heart was far from God. Oh, what a difference! Mouth-religion may be musical, eloquent, attractive, and imposing, but it can be most delusive. It may consist of prayer and chant and oratory, yet never affect either the throne of God or the conscience of man. It may present the most splendid appearance outwardly, but still leave the soul barren and unsatisfied.

It may appeal to history, to language, to learning, or to church fathers, but pass over the plain, palpable facts of Scripture. The light of truth, its liberty, its moral power, all is unknown. It dwells in the unspiritual darkness of human thoughts and reasoning. Its teachers are blind, and by them the blind are led. What a condition! And they glory in it!

True of the first century, it is just as true of ours. The disease is chronic. Moreover, rebuke is unbearable. They "were offended when they heard this saying" (v. 12). They are offended still. Nothing offends more quickly or deeply or unpardonably than the exposure of a false religion; and, strange contradiction, the more false and foolish, the greater the tenacity with which it is held!

Thank God, the written Word, when received by lowly faith, makes all plain; but as to the proud teachers of a tradition that is contra-scriptural, "Let them alone," says the Lord. They have made their bed; they must lie in the same.

John Wilson-Smith