Have you ever used or heard the phrase splitting hairs? This figure of speech indicates that one is meticulous, picky, or even ridiculously petty. It is true that people can get carried away ‘reading into’ scripture—binding things that God has not bound. However, if we are not careful, we can loose things that God has not loosed. As Christians, we must pay attention to even the smallest details in God’s word when it comes to matters of faith (Jude 3, 2 Tim. 3:16-17). In other words, we had better split some hairs!

Scripture clearly illustrates the need for us to heed the details of God’s instructions. Read Numbers 20:1-13. This tells of Moses and why God did not allow him to enter the promised land. During Israel’s wanderings there was a shortage of water. Moses beseeched God and was commanded to “speak to the rock” that it would gush water for the children of Israel. Instead of “speaking” to the rock as God commanded, Moses “smote” the rock with his rod—failing to glorify God before Israel. Water gushed out and the children of Israel drank. Yet later, God told Moses that because he “believed Him not,” Moses would not enter the promised land.

Speak? Smote? What is the difference? Did not the water still gush forth? Is this a matter of “splitting hairs?” In our eyes it might seem petty, but in the sight of God, it is not! To truly understand the lesson, we must acknowledge what Moses’ unbelief in this little matter cost him—entrance into the promised land.

For Christians today, seeking the promised land of heaven, we must acknowledge that God is no respecter of persons. Our unbelief in little matters might cost us the promised land. We must believe that God means exactly what He says, and says exactly what He means—even if we must split hairs to obey Him!