Legalism is the internalization and personalization of a set of rules or a code of conduct strictly adhered to and promoted as the way to achieve righteousness.  Legalism emphasizes what you do and neglects what you are. Legalism is an attempt to secure rightness in God’s sight by good works. Those who live legalistically add human rules to God’s laws and treat them as divine.

What is the appeal of legalism?  What is the power of legalism? Legalism is attractive because the focus of living is on what you do and not who you are. If you are legalistic, you can push aside your depravity and focus on gaining favor with God through outward actions. If you mess up, you deal with the guilt by asking for forgiveness and then move on. Living this way is more controllable than being open with who you are and being dependent on God’s grace and mercy to set you free. There is no need for dependence on grace and mercy; with legalism, work harder, and it will all be okay. You may experience some guilt with legalism, but it is less devastating than being exposed to the shame for who you are. With legalism, the focus is on the external and not the messy, confusing internal.  Legalism puts me in control.  I get to be the creator, interpreter, and deliverer of the code.  I make myself god.  Legalism negates the necessity for the atoning work of Christ on the cross. We are not at His mercy; we are at the mercy of a self-crafted set of righteous-defining rules.