Not all traditions are bad. The traditions of baptisms and of communion are good. These traditions are clearly outlined in the Bible. The traditions that are bad are religious traditions that hinder the power of God in the lives of people.

When someone says healing is not for today, or it might not be God's will to heal you now, these are bad traditions. If people are taught not to expect God to heal or bless them, they are being taught things which can limit God from working in their lives.

In the case of healing, it is literally a matter of life and death. Rotten tradition can rob people from the lifesaving, healing power of God.

Many worthless traditions come from misunderstanding the nature and character of God. God is always good. God is not the source of your problems. God is always the answer to your problems.

Sin, sickness, disease, poverty and death are all problems that exist in this fallen world. Jesus overcame all these problems. Jesus pointed out He was the source for abundant life. He contrasted His purpose to the purpose of the devil when He said,

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have live, and that they might have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)

There is a spiritual outlaw in the earth. There is a real devil that causes real big problems. Jesus identified the devil as the source of crime and destruction. Jesus said the devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy.

Many people who are caught up in bad religious traditions totally ignore the devil. They say all good and evil comes from God. Tradition teaches that the devil is just a tool used by God to beat His children into submission.

Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, your father-in-law dying of brain cancer...well, these are all acts of God. Insurance companies claim this, and many religious people believe and agree with this.

Traditions, which see evil circumstances originating from God, are worthless because they do not cause people to have faith toward God. They teach people to fear God for the wrong reasons.

We should have a reverence and respect for God, but we should not be afraid to ask Him for help when we need it.

God does not want us to base our religion on fear. He wants us to base our religion on faith. It pleases God when we have faith. Unbelief and fear impose limits upon Him.

Traditions that are not based upon faith but upon fear will always impose limits on people. God does not want you to be limited by fear. God wants you to be able to approach Him and to receive the good things you need for your life.

You always need to approach God with the attitude that He is good, and He wants to bless you with good things.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(Matt. 7:11)

Your heavenly Father is a loving Father. God is not a child abuser. God is not a criminal. If God was put on trial and convicted of all the crimes He was accused of doing to His children, He would be sentenced to millions of years of jail time!

However, this is a terrible misconception about God. God is good and not evil.

Your heavenly Father wants to provide good things to you as His child. God does not want you to be deprived of the things you need.

God has many gifts He wants to give you as His child. If human parents desire only the best for their children, God's desire is even stronger to provide the best for His children.

Source: No More Limits by Happy Caldwell.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers