Just get us into a conversation, or a debate, about that topic, and we could go on for hours. We sometimes think that others ought to have the same amount of passion and desire to spend the same amount of time and resources to do things the same way that we do. And we might even go so far as to think that others are wrong (or in sin) for not agreeing with us. Meanwhile, they might actually agree with us regarding that particular biblical principle, yet simply differ in their application of it.

The holidays are quickly approaching and with them holiday pies, such as pumpkin, sweet potato, apple, pecan, mincemeat, and more! Despite the great abundance of overeating that takes place, perhaps you’ve had a dieter come up to your dessert table and say, “I’ll have just a sliver!” So, you try to cut this teeny, tiny piece to fulfill their request, thinking to yourself, “I want more, not less!”

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about how we can approach life in the same kind of way. What I mean is that we can have particular interests or convictions that we are very passionate about, and we can narrowly focus on them, making it seem as though that tiny sliver sums up the entire Christian life.

Just get us into a conversation, or a debate, about that topic, and we could go on for hours. We sometimes think that others ought to have the same amount of passion and desire to spend the same amount of time and resources to do things the same way that we do. And we might even go so far as to think that others are wrong (or in sin) for not agreeing with us. Meanwhile, they might actually agree with us regarding that particular biblical principle, yet simply differ in their application of it.

So, let’s take a look at five common areas of “Just a Sliver” thinking. (There are plenty more!)

One area might be EVANGELISM. In this sliver, folks are so focused on the right way to share the gospel or do missions that they forget that the Christian life isn’t just about missions. We must ask ourselves, is the Great Commission found in Matthew 28 all that Scripture speaks about? Does my passion for door-to-door evangelism cause me to think that someone educating a handful of little ones at home isn’t doing enough kingdom work? If you are in a very outreach-oriented church, this might be a temptation.

Read More