Avoid Extremes

Maintaining a balanced life is an admirable goal, and certainly one the Lord wants us to pursue.

Avoiding extremes is critical toward attaining balance. But how?

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 7:18, NKJV).

This verse tells us it starts with fearing God. Fearing God has numerous elements, but in its essence it means to worship and obey God. His commands are not intended to punish us. It is quite the opposite. The Lord wants to help us!

Avoiding extremes is critical toward attaining balance

Want an example? Consider money. In balance, it’s good. We all need it. But Scripture warns in 1 Timothy 6:10 that “the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” Here’s another illustration that applies to many warriors who practically worship physical fitness. 1 Timothy 4:8 says “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” God is not saying physical fitness is not important. He’s saying that pursuing godliness is more important. The answer: “It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other.”