8 Bible Verses about Formality

As these were going away, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings houses. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees that were of Jerusalem, saying: Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.

Alas for you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you pay tithes of mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, its justice, its mercy, and its faithfulness. These you ought to have done, and those you ought not to have neglected.

now, however, after having known God, rather indeed having been known by God, how is it that you are turning back to the weak and beggarly rudiments, to which you desire again to be in bondage, as at first? You observe days and months and times and years. - fear for you, lest I have bestowed labor upon you in vain.

If, then, you have died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you submit to ordinances?

But know this, that in the last days trying times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, revilers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, false accusers, intemperate, fierce, haters of those who are good,read more.
traitors, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power: from these also turn away.

But if you are named Jew, and rest in the law, and make your boast in God. and know his will, and approve what is excellent, being instructed by the law: if you are also confident that you yourself are a guide for the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,read more.
an instructor of the simple, a teacher of the unlearned, because you have the form of true knowledge in the law; you, then, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say that a man should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you, by transgressing the law, dishonor God? For the name of God is reviled among the Gentiles, on account of you, as it is written. Now, circumcision is indeed profitable, if you keep the law: but, if you transgress the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. If, then, he who is uncircumcised keeps the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not he whose want of circumcision is owing to his birth, if he keeps the law, condemn you, who, by the literal circumcision, transgress the law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

though, indeed, I have a ground of confidence in the flesh. If any other thinks he has a ground of confidence in the flesh, I more; circumcised the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as it respects law, a Pharisee; as it respects zeal, persecuting the church; as it respects righteousness which is by law, blameless.read more.
But the things which were gain to me, these I counted loss for Christ.