I’m thinking about this expression I’ve rarely heard and never said, “The devil’s in the details.” The phrase intends to underscore the importance of difficult details. When completing a project, be sure to pay attention to the small things, apply extra scrutiny, and fine-tune your final efforts.
When I think about living as a follower of God, here’s what I think: The devil’s in the details. And he has a hell of a time there. He delightedly does great damage. Simple, sincere believers become discouraged and, drowning in the details, many depart. Debating over ridiculous details leads churches to be ripped apart by discord and division. Majoring in minors, it’s easy to play spiritual trivial pursuit. But nobody wins.
I haven’t counted, but I’m told that the Old Testament alone contains over 800 laws and commandments. Extending well past the ten commandments, the traditions of the Orthodox Jewish faith include 613 commandments to be followed (specifically,
248 positive and 365 negative commandments—a “no” for every day of the year).
But before we get too comfortable pointing out the excessive extensions of others, let’s not forget we all have our add-on items, too (written and unwritten). We may not even be aware of the particular lines we’ve drawn--until somebody crosses one. With indignant ire, we declare that the devil’s not just in the details, he’s in a person we used to call our brother or sister.
All commandments are not created equal. God’s will is not hidden in, nor is his wrath reserved for, the violation of obscure, miniscule, tricky rules. Listen to his heart and you will hear his prioritized commitments.
He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
…You have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. Matthew 23:23
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
The devil’s in the details. Or at least, in the wrong ones. Let’s choose wisely.
Dennis Lynn
Redwood Church
