The Way It’s Always Been Done

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
 
 
There is a story about a family who was eating Thanksgiving turkey together. One of the children noticed that both the front and back end of the turkey had been cut off. It had been prepared that way and cut off even before baking in the oven. The child asked his mom why she cut off both ends. The mother’s response was simply, “that is what my mother did, ask your grandmother.”
 
When the child asked his grandmother, the same question, she said, “that is how my mother did it, ask your great-grandmother.” So, the child asked his great grandmother the same question. Only, her response was different. She said, “Well son, the oven I had was too small to fit the entire turkey.” The generations continued an outdated tradition because nobody ever questioned the intent of their actions.
 
So many people live their lives this way today. They have received information from their parents and grandparents, teachers and coaches, and other influences in their lives; and while it’s good advice, it is not always godly counsel and may be based more on tradition than scripture. There is nothing wrong with seeking counsel from others. However, we must also make sure that we are intentional in understanding the Word and its applications for ourselves.  
 
As the focal verse states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible is our guide to understanding how we should live our lives. And if our family and friends are also in alignment with the Word of God, “the way it’s always been done” will be the way in which God has called us to live too.