Often, we get sidetracked on our walk with the Lord and pulled down any number of rabbit trails. It can even start with good things, but before long, we find ourselves tangled in the brush, covered in scratches, and wondering which way to turn next. We may even have completely lost sight of both our original goal and the path back.

We can get lost in arguing about unimportant doctrines and practices. Now, before you get your hackles up, let me assure you that I am all for sound doctrine and wish that the “average Christian in the pew” knew what they believed and why they believed it better than they do. There is an appalling level of biblical illiteracy and doctrinal weakness within the church as a whole.

Having said that, there are many divisions within the church over unimportant and trivial matters. While admonishing Timothy about sticking to sound doctrine, he also warned him about foolish arguments.

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:23-26

In all likelihood, the Lord does not care what color the sanctuary carpet and walls are. Yet many churches have been decimated by arguments over such things. Should the pastor weigh a suit, a robe, or blue jeans? Again, I suspect the Lord probably does not care if the truth is being proclaimed and people are being drawn to Him. Yet, I know pastors who have been admonished because their shoes were not shiny enough.

Another is the exact timing and nature of the second coming. Will we be raptured? If so, when? This is great material for discussion and has strong opinions from all sides. Ultimately, we will not know until He comes back or we join Him in the air. So why do we not accept it as an area where good and godly people can disagree?

Bible translations are yet another. Oh, I can already feel the hate mail being typed. Some translations are superior to others, and a translation beats a paraphrase hands down (for accuracy, although not always for ease of reading) … yet even a poor paraphrase that is being read beats no Scripture or a great translation that sits on the shelf gathering dust. Yet churches divide over such things. Lighten up people! Jesus never spoke a word of English during his entire life on earth. All translations are people’s best efforts to be faithful to the truth.

Let us stick to winning people to Jesus, ministering to them, equipping them to minister, and sending them out. Let us not wander into the rabbit trail of foolish arguments and, in avoiding those trails, avoid the snares of the devil.

Until next time, as someone once said, “Remember to keep the main thing the main thing.”

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

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© 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

I looked up along the lakeshore and saw a three- or four-year-old boy walking out of the water. He was wet well beyond his knees and muddy nearly as far. His mother was not impressed.

“What are you doing? Why were you in the water? Answer me! “

“I was..” 

“Don’t interrupt! You’re all wet and filthy! What did I tell you?” 

Finally, the boy had an opportunity to get a word out. 

“But mom, you said don’t get my new shoes dirty. I didn’t! They’re over by the bench. I took them off so I wouldn’t get them dirty. Just like you said, Mom.”

I smiled and laughed as the mom sputtered some explanation about leaving the shoes on the shore not being what she had meant. She didn’t seem as amused.

We’re often like the little boy looking to get off on some technicality. We try to achieve superficial holiness or partial obedience in our faith walk. We try to rationalize that “we’re not as bad” as someone else or that “we can’t help it.”

We may hear a call from God to do something and then come up with excuses for why we can’t or why we must have been mistaken about hearing from God.

The same behavior that made me laugh at the little boy and his mother isn’t nearly as funny when we do it to God. I believe God has a sense of humor and laughs, but never about sin.

Christ is a perfect example of someone meeting all the technicalities of the law but not being right before God. He was obedient, even unto death on a cross.

Our hearts are not as pure, and our flesh isn’t willing. 

Fortunately, believers have the Word to teach us and The Spirit to guide us. We are works in process, and God will finish what He started in us,

King David was a man who struggled and sinned greatly. Yet, he understood the value of repentance and having a clean heart before God.

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:1-3

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

David understood that God examines our hearts. Have you checked yours lately? Is it soft toward the Lord, or has it grown hard?

Are you looking for excuses or seeking ways to follow Him better? 

Until next time, may you bring glory to God through a humble, contrite heart.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

© 2025 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.