What Is Legalism? And How Do I Know If I’ve Been Living Under It?
Breaking down the hidden rules that replace grace with guilt.
For many Christian women, legalism doesn’t feel like a doctrine. It’s a way of life.
It shapes the clothes you wear, the roles you play, the question you ask—and most notably, don’t ask.
👉 By the time you’re done reading this post, my prayer is that you’re ready to honestly ask yourself: Is what I’m calling “faithfulness” actually fear? Is it obedience to God… or people-pleasing?
Quick Links
What Is Legalism? (A Definition)
What Is Legalism?
Legalism is the belief that spiritual worth is earned through performance.
Oxford defines legalism simply as “excessive adherence to law or formula.”
In theology, it often shows up as “dependence on moral law rather than on personal religious faith.”
In plain language, legalism substitutes grace with rule-keeping and turns relationship with God into religious control.
Church legalism thrives on “shoulds.”
You should submit more
You should stay silent
You shouldn’t question authority
You should conform
But Jesus didn’t die to make you a better rule follower. He came to set you free.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” -Galatians 5:1
Here’s an important point to remember:
Legalism isn’t just a religious issue.
It’s a human issue—a product of our innate brokenness and misguided attempts to earn God’s love through our own effort.
Even well-meaning churches can unknowingly (or intentionally) teach human ideologies that replace God’s truth with man-made rules.
This mistake is as old as humanity itself.
“You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” -Mark 7:6-8
What Is Legalism in the Church?
Legalism in the church looks like: “spiritual maturity” measured by behavior, conformity, and performance rather than by grace, growth, and relationship with Christ.
It focuses on the letter of the law instead of the spirit of the law.
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” -2 Corinthians 3:6
When “holiness” becomes a rigid dress code,
when asking questions is shamed,
and when obedience is rooted in fear,
you’re not seeing Jesus—you’re seeing legalism.
Legalism replaces God’s voice with human control.
This is an important litmus test when it comes to recognizing legalism within the church.
And too often, women suffer most inside these shame-shaped systems.
Common Red Flags of Legalism in the Church
Legalism in the church can take on many forms, and this certainly isn’t an exhaustive list. But here are a few common “red flags:”
Shaming or shunning those who don’t conform
Fear-based rule keeping
Overemphasis on external appearance (e.g., modesty policing)
Suppression of women’s voices and callings
Zero tolerance for questioning leaders or teachings
Viewing suffering as punishment instead of refinement
A paradigm of being “against” many things rather than “for” something
These signs aren’t just annoying quirks of church culture.
They are spiritual roadblocks.
They distort your view of God, and more tragically, your understanding of who you are in Him.
Christian Legalism Examples
Christian legalism examples may look like:
Measuring your virtue by how “modest” your clothing is
Believing your calling is invalid if it doesn’t fit traditional roles
Thinking hardship and disappointment as a Christian means God is punishing you
Obsessing over quiet time as proof of your “holiness”
(For more examples, read “Lies Women Believe Because of Church Legalism.”)
These are all examples of religious legalism that masquerade as holiness.
The proof that these beliefs are disordered beliefs about truth, and not Truth itself?
They produce fear, pride, comparison, and burnout. Hardly the fruit of God’ Spirit alive in us (Galatians 5.)
Signs You Might Be Living Under Legalism
You feel constant guilt or low-grade shame
You struggle to trust your own spiritual discernment and blindly trust spiritual authorities instead
You believe God is always disappointed in you
You fear what others at church will think if you change
You believe your obedience earns God’s love
It’s hard (or impossible) to be honest or authentic about your real struggles, thoughts, and desires
Bottom line: Legalism isn’t just about rules.
It’s a lens.
It changes how you see yourself, others, and even God. It makes you feel like you can lose God’s love if you mess up.
That is not the gospel.
What Is the Biblical Definition of Legalism?
In Scripture, legalism often shows up in the Pharisee crowd—rigid rule-keeping used as a measure of righteousness.
The New Testament religious leaders focused on performance, appearances, and control, but Jesus consistently rebuked them.
“They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.” -Matthew 23:4
John Piper explains legalism this way: “Legalism is the conviction that law-keeping is the ground for our acceptance with God” (Desiring God).
But the gospel says your identity is secured in Christ alone. Not only are you not required to earn God’s favor—you cannot earn it.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” -Ephesians 2:8-9
Grace Tells a Different Story
Grace says: God’s love is not earned. It’s given.
Grace says: Your identity is secure even when you fall short.
Grace says: Jesus fulfilled the law so you could live in freedom.
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” -Romans 8:1
If you’ve been living under spiritual legalism, it’s time to step into freedom.
Name it.
Renounce it.
Reclaim your grace-based identity.
Legalism tells you to earn God’s love.
Grace says you already have it.
You don’t have to hustle for worth.
Jesus already paid the price.
Want to go deeper?
Check out Unshakable Confidence: Embracing God-Given Identity with Grace, Style & Strength.
This guide will help you begin to recognize and silence shame-shaped narratives, reconnect with the Holy Spirit, and walk boldly into grace-shaped identity.
Your Turn
Circling back to the question I presented at the beginning of this article:
Is what I’m calling “faithfulness” actually fear? Is it obedience to God… or people-pleasing?
How would you answer that right now?
Be brave enough to sit honestly in this space—healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it can happen over time. It starts with recognizing Truth from lies… and the courage to say it out loud, even just to yourself.
I’m with you on the journey…
Veritas et gratia,
Kristy 💐
P.S. — Need a gentle nudge toward grace-shaped confidence?
This digital guide is a great place to start.
👉 Unshakable Confidence: Embracing God Given Identity with Grace, Style, & Strength