8 Bible Verses about Formality

And, as these were going, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? the reeds shaken by the wind? But why did ye go out? to see a man clothed in soft raiment? Lo! they that wear soft clothing are in kings houses. But why did ye go out? to see a prophet? Yea, I say to you, and more than a prophet.

Then come to Jesus Pharisees and scribes from Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithes of the mint, and the dill, and the cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the Law, justice, and mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave those undone.

but now, after having known God, or rather having been known by God, how is it that ye are turning back to the weak and beggarly rudiments to which ye wish to be again in bondage? Do ye observe days, and months, and times, and years? I fear for you, lest I may have bestowed upon you labor in vain.

If ye died with Christ to the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances, such as,

But know this, that in the last days grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, incontinent, fierce, without love for what is good,read more.
betrayers, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. And from these turn away.

But if thou art called a Jew, and restest on the Law, and makest thy boast of God, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the Law; and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,read more.
an instructor of those who lack wisdom, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and of the truth in the Law, dost thou then who teachest another, not teach thyself? Thou who proclaimest that others should not steal, dost thou steal? Dost thou who forbiddest to commit adultery, thyself commit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou rob temples? Dost thou who boastest of the Law, dishonor God by breaking the Law? For, as it is written, "the name of God is on your account blasphemed among the gentiles." For circumcision is indeed a benefit to thee, if thou keep the Law; but if thou art a breaker of the Law, thy circumcision hath become uncircumcision. If then he who is uncircumcised keep the precepts of the Law, shall not he though uncircumcised be regarded as circumcised? Yea, those who are by nature uncircumcised, if they perform the law, will judge thee, who having a written Law and circumcision, art a breaker of 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 of the heart, spiritual, not literal, whose praise is not of men, but of God.

though I myself have reason for confidence even in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath reason for 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 to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, blameless.read more.
But whatever things were gain to me, those for the sake of Christ I have counted but loss.