dire consequences

You don’t have to read very far into the Old Testament to realize that God the Father wasn’t into gentle parenting.

deceptive practices

A symptom of inherent sin is to avoid truth whenever possible.

set in stone

Establish a religious structure and the hardhearted will be drawn to it.

“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” — Mark 7:6-8, ESV