When are "minor" issues no longer minor?

[John81]

Not sure how to start this :smile

Most here agree there are "major" issues, such as the Fundamentals, that need to be addressed at the beginning of a Christians walk, or even prior to that. Most here also agree there are many other issues Scripture deals with that are important but not something that needs to be pressed upon new converts immediately.

Not sure how well that came out...perhaps enough of you know me well enough to understand what I'm trying to say :Green

Anyway, when in a Christians walk do the "minor" issues become important do address? Or, perhaps this is another question, when in a Christians walk should we expect them to start addressing the "minor" issues.

There are many "minor" issues, you can add whatever ones you might think helpful to discuss, but I'll only mention a couple here; such as hair length (men and women) and clothing (men and women).

I realize that sometimes these "minor" issues can be or can become "major" issues, but generally, when one first comes to Christ other issues are focused upon to get the Christian started out right or the new Christian sets out to focus upon "major" issues.

Knowing that all things we are told in Scripture are important, I'm in no way saying any of the "minor" issues are insignificant or unimportant...want to be clear on that. I'm just wondering when it's time to address various "minor" issues with Christians and when we should expect Christians to start addressing such.

For instance, a woman may come to Christ having very short hair. She begins reading Scripture, learning about prayer, attending church, becoming a godly wife, etc., but she continues to wear her hair very short. Eventually, she has read the portions of Scripture which touch on this topic but she either doesn't notice this or ignores it. At what point should someone discuss this with her?

I know some churches where if a new Christian shows up they bombard the new Christian with a whole heap of thou must's and thou must nots to the point of overwhelming them. Without proper discipleship transforming their heart the thrust of "rules you must meet now" coming upon them suddenly is too much for their not yet transformed mind to handle.

Okay, now maybe I'm being too wordy so I'll just wait until some folks reply and see if what I'm trying to address gets answered.

[1Timothy115]

When we take our eyes off Christ to deal with the minor issues, they're no longer...sorry that's another, ahem, minor issues no longer minor. :saint

I'll guess for your question. When they prevent us from fulfilling God's will for our lives.

Let's say we want to witness to someone and we say, they'll never listen to me because...the minor 'whatever' becomes a major issue in obeying what the Spirit and our Savior wants/told us to do. We have to see any hindrance to obeying and fulfilling as major.

Look at me talking...I have my own minor issues to get rid of.

Good post...self exam time!

[JerryNumbers]

The problem seems to be, many don't care nothing about the minor things, just the major things, sad to, many even have the major things wrong. But the problem is, before long the leaving the minor things off and you will be walking away from God instead of towards Him.

Isn't God's invitation, come as you are, but after you have been saved, and you realize what your soul cost, 1 Corinthians 6:20, them we ought to be wanting to learn what God expects out of us, them as we learn, we ought to change, and the change ought to show up on our outside, not only in the heart. I literally hate the words, all that counts is what is in my heart. If its in ones heart, its going to shine thru out their whole life.

If the Holy Spirit is living in a person there is going to be a change.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

You can not be a bright light for God unless you walk in all of His way, that means both major and minor things will be important to the child of God.

1Tim115 you stated, "Look at me talking...I have my own minor issues to get rid of," your 100% right, we all have work to do.

[deputydog530]

Good posts

I believe the best way to approach the minor issues is to preach them from hte pulpit with the major ones. If someone does not respond then they will answer for it. For example a woman with short hair may not ever be convicted about the issue but may turn into one of the greatest soul winners in the church. I guess im saying, pick which hill you are willing to die on.

My pastor and i disagree on a few areas. Nothing major, just dont agree. I can produce a scriptural proof for my stance on these things, as can he. I have found where he inavertantly and unintenionally missed part of a definition or stretched a verse because that is how he was taught. We talk over these things together and pray for wisdom wanting only God''s wisdom and the truth. Is it worth the battle or seperating over? No.

I knew a man with long hair, got saved, walked all over town with his bible witnessing, long hair and all. After 6 months of preaching, he decided that he should cut his hair to look good for the Lord. To my knowlege he was never taught or read the scriptures on hair, he simply followed the holy Spirit.

Good Topic jerry

[HappyChristian]

Good posts

I believe the best way to approach the minor issues is to preach them from hte pulpit with the major ones. If someone does not respond then they will answer for it. For example a woman with short hair may not ever be convicted about the issue but may turn into one of the greatest soul winners in the church. I guess im saying, pick which hill you are willing to die on.

My pastor and i disagree on a few areas. Nothing major, just dont agree. I can produce a scriptural proof for my stance on these things, as can he. I have found where he inavertantly and unintenionally missed part of a definition or stretched a verse because that is how he was taught. We talk over these things together and pray for wisdom wanting only God''s wisdom and the truth. Is it worth the battle or seperating over? No.

I knew a man with long hair, got saved, walked all over town with his bible witnessing, long hair and all. After 6 months of preaching, he decided that he should cut his hair to look good for the Lord. To my knowlege he was never taught or read the scriptures on hair, he simply followed the holy Spirit.

The minors become major at different times for different people - and not all minors become majors for all people. For instance, if a man gets saved, but already has short hair, hair length won't become an issue for him; cigarettes won't be an issue for someone who never smoked, etc.

A lot of the minor issues are taken care of during the preaching. I have seen people make decisions about things like hair, dress, smoking, drinking, etc - when that hasn't been mentioned at all! Maybe the message was about soul-winning, or personal revival...the Holy Spirit did the convicting work.

If, however, there is someone who really loves the Lord and is growing, but seems to be stuck in one area, a Christian who is spiritual could take that person (say, invite them to lunch, spend extra time with them, get to know them - before any kind of "advice" is given) under their wings and guide them, using scripture. Does that make sense? Sometimes I know what I'm saying, but the keys on my keyboard just don't cooperate!

[Anon]

I believe God tells us what the major and minor things are. Anything He commands us to do is major. Anything he leaves up to testimony or discernment would be minor.

For instance, He commands women to have long hair, and to dress modestly. As it is a direct command, it would be considered major. Drinking alcohol is not minor. Being homosexual is not minor.

However He specifically tells us things such as eating meat and celebrating holidays are minor. I believe other things, such as watching tv, going to GOOD movies (bad ones are major, as it contradicts Scripture) at a theater, hairstyles, makeup, etc would be minor issues, as they are not specifically spelled out in Scripture, but only taught through Scriptural principle and left up to the believer to follow the Holy Spirit.

However, once God convicts someone of a "minor" issue, it then becomes a "major" issue for that person, as "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" and "He that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

I want to add that I agree on the newly saved topic....but just because something is not immediately taken care of by a newly saved, does not make it "minor"...it means God is longsuffering and patient with us. A man having long hair is a shame. It does not make it less of a shame if a person is newly saved, and it does not make it "minor"...however, it is wise to be patient with such a person because if he is truly saved, a good pastor and the Holy Spirit will see this get right in the person's life.

Incidentally according to God, pride is a major issue, yet how many of us struggle with pride? Just because its a major issue does not mean everyone has it under control. Similarly with controlling our tongues.

[dwayner79]

Every example in scripture of a person (or a church) confronting an individual had to do with a major issue. There is passage after passage about not worrying about the minor issues.

We are not the Holy Spirit, and we shouldn't try to be. Leave them alone, lead by example, and let God do His work.

[JerryNumbers]

Good posts

I believe the best way to approach the minor issues is to preach them from hte pulpit with the major ones. If someone does not respond then they will answer for it. For example a woman with short hair may not ever be convicted about the issue but may turn into one of the greatest soul winners in the church. I guess im saying, pick which hill you are willing to die on.

My pastor and i disagree on a few areas. Nothing major, just dont agree. I can produce a scriptural proof for my stance on these things, as can he. I have found where he inavertantly and unintenionally missed part of a definition or stretched a verse because that is how he was taught. We talk over these things together and pray for wisdom wanting only God''s wisdom and the truth. Is it worth the battle or seperating over? No.

I knew a man with long hair, got saved, walked all over town with his bible witnessing, long hair and all. After 6 months of preaching, he decided that he should cut his hair to look good for the Lord. To my knowlege he was never taught or read the scriptures on hair, he simply followed the holy Spirit.

Good Topic jerry

I know of such a man to, he cleaned up his act after a few months, I recently talked with a fellow pastor that also knew him so I asked about his.

The man got help from a few Baptist churches to start a church to reach the Hell's Angel type motorcycle riders. After having gained enough members that it could support itself, he reverted to the long hair and the Hells Angel look.

I now think he used the change for he knew he would likely not get any help while looking like a Hells Angel, but knew if he showed a change that he could get much help money wise, which he did get.

I've mentioned this fellow before for he was a great example, now I wonder about his. I know there are many who use God to their advantage, perhaps he is of that number. There be many that be of that number and the number of those type is growing very fast.

I might add, another thing happened that might of had some effect on him, his mentor, the pastor who led him to Christ, fell, he was having an affair with a young unmarried woman in their church. :sad

[Anon]

Every example in scripture of a person (or a church) confronting an individual had to do with a major issue. There is passage after passage about not worrying about the minor issues.

We are not the Holy Spirit, and we shouldn't try to be. Leave them alone, lead by example, and let God do His work.

Every example in the Epistles of a command IS one of the apostles confronting a church about an issue.

Do you have a list of passages that say "don't worry about minor issues"?

[HappyChristian]

Every example in scripture of a person (or a church) confronting an individual had to do with a major issue. There is passage after passage about not worrying about the minor issues.

We are not the Holy Spirit, and we shouldn't try to be. Leave them alone, lead by example, and let God do His work.

There are times, Dwayne, that the Holy Spirit leads someone to guide a person in a "minor" issue. Leaving them alone isn't always the answer. That's why I mentioned the fact that the person needs to be spiritual. If people are right with God, they will know what to touch on and what to leave alone.

As Kita said, once conviction sets in, minor becomes major. And someone who is Spirit led many times can discern this, and can be of help. We are not the Holy Spirit, but we all need to be sensitive to His leading.

[kevinmiller]

Every example in scripture of a person (or a church) confronting an individual had to do with a major issue. There is passage after passage about not worrying about the minor issues.

We are not the Holy Spirit, and we shouldn't try to be. Leave them alone, lead by example, and let God do His work.

As we encourage people to grow in their walk in relationship with God, He will work on ironing out the minor issues in their lives.

[HappyChristian]

As we encourage people to grow in their walk in relationship with God, He will work on ironing out the minor issues in their lives.

Yep. And perhaps use us to help with the ironing. He does that, you know.

[kevinmiller]

Yep. And perhaps use us to help with the ironing. He does that, you know.

I agree. We are to disciple the younger in the church. I believe we are to teach Bible doctrine to those whom God has placed under us, but as far as forming standards and personal convictions, I think that should be left between the individual and God.

[HappyChristian]

I agree. We are to disciple the younger in the church. I believe we are to teach Bible doctrine to those whom God has placed under us, but as far as forming standards and personal convictions, I think that should be left between the individual and God.

Yes, Kevin, it should be left between the individual and God - to a certain point. But part of discipling is teaching about standards and personal convictions.

[kevinmiller]

But it's not a "personal" conviction if it's based on what someone else is teaching you it should be. If you teach people to have a close relationship with God, standards would come as a natural result of that relationship.