I just finished reading 2 Timothy in The Message. The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy to “Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out.” (2 Timothy 2:14)

In Craig Groeschel’s book, Confessions Of A Pastor, he has a chapter titled, “I Can’t Stand A Lot Of Christians.” I have to admit, that chapter title alone made me read the book. And when I read 2 Timothy 2:14 it clarified the reason why I frequently feel the same as Craig Groeschel. It’s the pious nitpicking!

We have a world that desperately needs to see the love of Jesus. Children that are going to bed hungry night after night. Marriages that are falling apart all around us. Countries that don’t have safe drinking water. And many Christians are more concerned about the volume or style of music that’s being played in their church services. Many Christians are more concerned about whether or not their Pastor wears a tie when he preaches. Many Christians are more concerned about the color of the nursery. It’s pious nitpicking!!!

Of course . . . I could just be nitpicking.