Is That In The Bible? 13

~ All Things in Moderation ~

Many concepts are in the Bible—even though the exact wording is not.  For example consider the statement: “All things in moderation.”  This is a tricky one.  On the one hand if taken to the extreme, for example to sin in moderation, then it is clearly false with regard to the overall teaching of Scripture.  However, with regard to good things the concept of not going to extreme in any one area is found in Scripture. 

Scripture  ~  “I have seen everything in my days of vanity: there is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.  Do not be overly righteous [pious], nor be overly wise [arrogant]:  Why should you destroy yourself?  Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish [Hebrew poetry often contrasts a previous statement]:  Why should you die before your time?  It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; for he who fears God will escape them all” (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18).

“Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Philippians 3:21a, KJV). 

Comment  ~  Do you live a life of appropriate balance?  If not, what needs to change?  Are you willing to make the effort to change?

Note  ~  A previous Abundant Life Now post entitled “Balance” (published on June 29, 2017) provides a little more explanation of this passage.  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Is That In The Bible? 6

~ “Moderation In All Things” ~

This posting is a response to a blog entitled “7 Things You Won’t Find in the Bible… I Dare You to Look.” I am taking that challenge! The sixth listed phrase was “Moderation in all things.” I would agree that the phrase is not found in our English Bible—but what about the principle behind the phrase?

Words by themselves are meaningless—it is only when we attach meaning to the words that communication occurs. The principle behind this phrase can be found in the Bible, but the phrase can be heresy when different meanings are behind the words and the phrase. 

Moderation in all things  ~  The author of that piece supported his position by quoting the following verse. “And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Corinthians 9:25). This verse says “temperate (or moderate) in all things.” Perhaps nothing more needs to be said!

In summary “moderation in all things” is good advice if taken in moderation!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW