You may be looking at the title of this and wonder, 'What in the world is 'legalism?''  Let's look at some dictionary definitions:
   Strict, literal adherence to law
   Putting rules above God and human needs
   Keeping man-made rules in order to earn salvation
   An emphasis on works in our relationship to God

   So, looking at that, do you think being called legalistic is a compliment?  Does the word "legalism" mean the same thing as honorable, chaste, pure, virtuous, just, honest, and righteous?  These words, unlike "legalism" or "legalistic," are found in the Bible.  Do they mean the same thing though?  Surely not.

   Many characteristics define legalists.  They want rewards for their obedience.  Check out Matthew 12:1-14.  The Pharisees basically told on the disciples, perhaps looking for reward for obeying the Sabbath.  When they learned they would gain nothing for obeying the Sabbath, they sought to kill Jesus.  They were so intent on following the Law that they neglected the needs of others.  In Encounters With Christ, it says, 'Human needs supercede the Law.'  Check out Matthew 22:34-40.  Jesus says the greatest commandment after loving God is to love others.  This echoes what the quote from Encounters With Christ said.  All the disciples wanted to do was eat.  A man had a crippled hand and wanted to be healed.  Is that a crime?  The Pharisees were so worried about rules that they forgot to love the people around them.  Legalists trust in perfect obedience.  As much as they want to say they are following God, they are merely following rules and trusting rules.  Legalists also find fault with dissenting opinions.  According to them, if someone doesn't agree with them, that automatically makes the other person wrong.  Along these lines, legalists also seek to control and rule over others.  Now check out Romans 14:1-4.  We're not to pass judgment on others who don't agree with us.  Legalists seek to change the people who don't agree with them, but the Bible says we shouldn't pass judgment on 'disputable matters,' condemn others for those matters, or look down on those who disagree about those matters.  God accepts them, and we should too.

   So what is it that makes us legalistic?  We're selfish, self-righteous, and we have a desire for power.  We want to be seen as good and be rewarded for it.  We've also been raised to believe some things that aren't biblical.  1 Timothy 4:7 says, 'Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ' Can you think of some things you grew up believing were right but not biblical?  There's no verse in the Bible about what time church should be held at.  There's no law about how much time we should spend quietly with God.  The Bible doesn't say anywhere that dancing is wrong.  Train yourself to be godly!

   So, if we don't want to be legalistic, what's the opposite of that?  We want license and liberty.  After all, we are free!  Galatians 5:13-15 says, 'You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.'  Just love.  Then you won't be destroyed.  Romans 6:11-12 says, 'In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.'  And there you have it.  Love others and stay away from evil desires.  Going back to Matthew 12, I don't think it was evil for the disciples to desire food, nor was it evil for Jesus to desire to heal the man's hand.

   Let's stay away from legalism!  We need to walk by the Spirit.  If we want to change, we need a change of attitude.  Put your focus completely on God.  Don't compare your spiritual walk with others.  Now check out Romans 14:13-23.  Do things that 'lead to peace and mutual edification.'  We shouldn't do things just to show others that we think they are okay.  That's not edifying.  Of course, check out your motive for being legalistic.  When you love God and seek to do what He wants, everything will fall into place anyway.