In a world like ours, where everything seem extreme, a place where more is better , noise seems like strength and running fast feels like making progress, God has called us to be on different standard. We have been called to be moderate in a world where everything is at the highest level. Living a life of moderation as Christians simply means to live according to the limits that God has set for us, not going above or beyond his standards for Christian lifestyle. The Bible also emphasize on the need to control our desires, emotions, and habits. This practice have the ability to bring us peace and stability.
The Bible describes moderation as self control and a person without self control is like a broken city wall. These means that the person becomes vulnerable to all forms of attack as a result of lack of defense. Whether it be with our emotions, eating habits, lifestyles and desires, we ought to have them under control. Food, drinks, wealth and political involvements are all good, but even these good things when not properly controlled, can turn around and become a nightmare we never imagined we could have. As Christians, the only way we can successfully live on earth and achieve our goals, is by living a life of moderation. Moderation gives us clarity in areas where we may seem confused, and it does this by creating time for intimacy with God, clearing away all the excesses on the way. Moderation also enables us to live a Christlike life, modeling the true character of Christ here on earth. Let us see some of the practical ways to live a moderate life:
- Create Realistic Boundaries: By creating realistic boundaries on the activities that we engage in, we will honor the the limits that God has set out for us.
- Practice Contentment: Apostle Paul encourages us through the scriptures to live a life of complacency. This life style shuns the endless desires of the heart, thereby making the heart to always give thanks to God for the daily provision that he makes available for us.
- Kingdom Involvement: Being actively involved in kingdom growth helps to shift our focus away from the desires of the heart, our gaze will only be on the things that will promote and expand God’s kingdom.
- Set Out Time for God: Creating time for fellowship with God is another way that leads to a life of moderation. The presence of God becomes all that we crave for, not minding what the heart and the world want.
- Self Awareness: Being self aware of our indulgence in certain activities will help us to notice where and when we slip into extremes. Self awareness is the first step towards living a life of balance.
It is important we understand that moderation is not all about restriction from doing and not overdoing some things, rather it is a godly path that is divinely crafted by God in order for us to enjoy the fullness of Christ in our lives.
SEE ALSO: 34 Important Bible Verses About Seasons Of Life
What Does The Bible Say About Moderation?
The constantly teaches us moderation as a virtue that every Christian should possess, it is a lifestyle that brings balance, stability, peace and growth. A life of moderation is deeply rooted in our total dependence on God rather on the things that our hearts wants. The Bible makes us to understand that moderation, which means “self control” is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit. God has called us to live moderately, avoid overindulgence in the things of this life.
1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” God encourages us in this verse to be satisfied with we have, trusting him to provide more for us.
James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry”. This scripture highlights the essence of moderation in all things, whether it be in food, conversations and emotional reactions, the bible encourages us to be restraint with our actions and also apply wisdom.
Let us learn from Jesus, who is our perfect example for righteous living. He lived an intentional and balanced life, engaging with people and in activities, but he never chased excesses.
Bible Verses About Moderation
- If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit. – Proverbs 25:16
- Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:5
- Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – 1 Corinthians 9:25
- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23
- It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. – Titus 2:12
- Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. – Proverbs 20:1
- But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. – 1 Timothy 6:8
- Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8
- There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. – Ecclesiastes 3:1
- For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. – Romans 12:3
- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21
- Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. – Luke 21:34
- Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. – Proverbs 14:29
- Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. – Ephesians 5:18
- My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. – James 1:19
- So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
- The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry. – Proverbs 13:25
- But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7
- Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. – Hebrews 10:23
- Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. – Philippians 3:19
- So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. – 1 Thessalonians 5:6
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. – Mark 12:30-31
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6
- Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. – Matthew 7:13-14
- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10
- You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. – Isaiah 26:3
- Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. – Proverbs 29:11
- All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12
- It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory. – Proverbs 25:27
- For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. – Galatians 5:13
- Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. – Titus 2:7
- No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. – 1 Timothy 5:23
- Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags. – Proverbs 23:20-21
- Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. – 1 Timothy 3:8
- It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. – Romans 14:21
- And wine to gladden the heart of man, oil to make his face shine and bread to strengthen man’s heart. – Psalm 104:15
- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. – 1 Timothy 6:10
- But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. – 1 Corinthians 8:9
- Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
- Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
