Romans 14:1-2 (NKJV)

“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.”

We need to be careful what things we choose to fight about and which things we need to let go. Some things are not essential to spiritual life and doctrine, and on such matters, make room for people to differ from your opinion. One sign of a spiritually immature person is his penchant to argue about everything, never accepting that another person’s differing position on an issue is valid. But not so with the mature believer.

Some people are weaker in faith and have differing spiritual positions that they have developed based on their understanding, and yet God expects us to give them space. God understands that some of these things are not core to the program of salvation or redemption, and therefore while they may be different from mainstream acceptable doctrines, they are not heretic and they don’t disqualify the believer from entering heaven. Don’t fight peripheral battles. As NLT summarizes it, “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” It takes spiritual wisdom and maturity to know which battles to fight and which battles to skip. It takes inner strength to accept weaker brethren with their differing positions, and it takes discernment to know when to reserve our energies & let some things go.

“Lord, I need the constant discernment to know when to be silent and when to speak; when to engage and when to stay away. Grant me Lord the largeness of heart to accept others who may differ significantly from my position, but who have not erred in sin or doctrine. Amen.”