Rabbit Trails

It is a saying all of us use when we feel that we are being side tracked and off course on a project or a theme of concern. Rabbit trails can keep us actively busy and away from what really needs to be done. When I don't want to deal with someone or something, I will find every excuse to go do something else rather than deal with the real issues. Here is a rabbit trail where godly men and women get side tracked and off target. Recently there was a national prayer meeting called "The Response" organized by a variety of networks of Christians to pray for our nation.  We would all agree our nation needs some spiritual help from God for direction to correct the issues we are facing.  We would all agree that our nation has been leaning away from our Judeo-Christian heritage and we have been in a tail spin for the last few decades because we have  removed moral boundaries that God said would cause destruction. So several networks of ministries came together to pray about all of this and it was headlined by Texas Governor Rick Perry. Now all seems to be going well up to this point, until someone decided to blog about some of the groups who were invited to the event were not theologically correct according to them. They side tracked the reason why the event was takng place, and focused upon the theologically ineptness of some of the participants. To make matters worse, instead of questioning just the belief structure of those in question, they continued to pursue those whose theology was not in question, but were under the microscope because they attended the event. To some this is being called "secondary association" which means you should not associate with those who are false teachers. 

This is a perfect example of a rabbit trail.

Many of those who are advocating that anyone attending this meeting was wrong to do so cites the following scripture.

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’ table, and of the table of devils. (I Corinthians 10:20-21)

Now, I don't think the context of this scripture is used properly here, which is another rabbit trail. Paul was addressing how Christians should stay away from co-mingling the practice of worshipping the Devil and the worship of God. These false teachers may have some great flaws in their theology, but I don't think they are Devil worshippers.

It is true we need to be careful who we partner with in ministry, but to side step the reason a prayer meeting is called for, and make it into an expose' of those attending, is one big rabbit trail. The emphasis for the prayer meeting is now lost for the sake of the controversy. Controversy trumps the prayer meeting. 

Rabbit Trails have been the problem with the Church for decades. We love the rabbit trails and all they do is side track our misson as marketers of the gospel.  The marginalization of the message of the gospel is a key strategy of the Devil. Remember the Devil has a two prong appoach to everything He does.

1. Keep the message of the gospel contained.

2. Confuse and discredit those who present the gospel.

What is the best way to implement this strategy?  You guess it, "Rabbit Trails!"

The best way to over come "Rabbit Trails" and defeat the Devil's tactics is to preach Christ and Him crucified.

Be careful of your rabbit trails, they will take you away from the real target for your life and ministry.

Keeping it honest and truthful....K