This first series, called the Deadly Series, will be a 7-week long journey where we will be discussing the 7 deadly sins that God finds detestable to his people. There will be one sin per week, with each sin we will talk about the Godly traits we will need to exhibit to combat the deadly one. Don’t worry, we will discuss these sins in grave detail as this series will be very informative, thought-provoking, and loaded with various bible scriptures to help support and back each discussion-based topic.
Within this series, viewers/ readers will have an opportunity to purchase original content worksheets to further enrich their knowledge and gain even more Golden Nuggets!
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we come to you as humbly as we know-how. We first want to give you all the honor, glory, and praise. Lord, we ask that you forgive us of our sins and that your word touches each and everyone that is reading the blog today. Lord, we ask that you be with us as we break down moderation. Thank you for each and everything that you do and continue to do in Jesus' name Amen!
Do Everything In Moderation?
Moderation: is the avoidance of excessive or extreme behaviors. It is the attitude that helps enable restraint.
-dictionary.com
We are so conditioned to do things in excess, buy things in bulk, or do things in such a drastic measure that even the idea of moderation seems foreign. Think about when you want to complete a resolution, for example. Many, at the beginning of the year in January, will create all these goals and try to make a drastic change that will only last for a few weeks, maybe a month. The resolution/change doesn't stick, and you are left feeling defeated and discouraged. The reason it doesn't stick is because you tried to make the change all at once. We have to take things slowly and do them in moderation. Go slowly implementing small changes over time that will allow you to make the most effective long-lasting change efficiently. With moderation comes process and process takes time.
What Does the Bible Say About Moderation?
It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it glorious to seek one's own glory.
Proverbs 25:27
If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.
Proverb 25:16
The Bible talks about moderation quite a few times. The bible encourages us to do things in decency and in order while respecting God in the process. Trying to live in moderation in today's society can be a difficult challenge especially when society advertises and markets that doing things drastically and dramatically is the way to go. It's like what we talked about in Motivational Monday #36: Microwave Ready, everyone wants instant gratification, no one wants to have to wait for things to develop. In today’s society quantity is valued higher than quality. When we rush the process instead of taking the time to do things in moderation we get choppy results that we ultimately are not pleased with.
The Bible lets us know that without moderation it is so easy to fall into sin. Even when we think about the things that we need to survive. Sleep is a great example. I don’t know about yall but I love some good sleep. Y'all know the kind where you wake up with creases on your face and you don't know how they got there. What I am coming to realize, however, is that too much sleep is a sin. Check out this scripture!
How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:9-11
Yes, that scripture shook me too. Too much sleep without moderation leads to laziness, and laziness leads to poverty. Think about it! Once you have slept your eight hours and you continue to lay around, you are now wasting precious time that could be spent elsewhere. Sleep can become addicting, the more you sleep it seems like the more tired you get.
The biggest aspect of moderation would be saying "NO" but to yourself. Without realizing it we give into ourselves daily. We lack the asceticism to keep ourselves accountable. Think about spending habits. You may say "oh, I'll only buy this one item, and I'll spend $15.00 max," but you come out of the store with a receipt as tall as you are. To incorporate moderation this is what should have happened, instead of giving in to that craving to buy you should have gone in bought what you needed, made a note of the things that you wanted, went home and budgeted for it, and then once you had the cash, came back. That is doing things in moderation.
But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:4
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
Please do not get caught up out there in the world and all of its foolishness. Be alert, and sharpen your discernment. Remember that we are not of this world, we are only living here temporarily. The world will have you hemmed up thinking that living in moderation is a bad thing. I assure you it's not. God is the absolute only thing that the rule of moderation does not apply because we are to love him without limits, or conditions.
Characteristics of Moderation
Balance
People who live a life of moderation tend to have a sense of balance between excess and deficiency. They understand that finding a balance that is just right between the two is crucial for sustaining well-being. They understand that maintaining balance is a lifelong process that takes constant work. [You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Leviticus 19:36]
Stress-Free
People who live in moderation will have less anxiety, worry, and/or stress. Because they aren't concerned about buying in excess or following the trends of the world. They are content with what they have and know that whatever they stand in need of God will provide to them. [Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:31-32]
Boundary Setters
People that live in moderation are excellent boundary setters. They know what their limits are. They are practitioners of asceticism and have a strong sense of self-control. They are able to say no to pressure from their peers, as well as the world. They protect what God has given them, they know that if they live in moderation now and are faithful over a few things that God will bless them exceedingly and abundantly. [And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8]
One Step At A Time
For those living in moderation, it is a process that takes time. Let’s think about it in the sense of maturity. When you look at children they aren’t born with moderation, they want what they want when they want and will often over indulge excessively in one thing whether that be food, candy, television, sleep and so on. A child is not born with an adult sense of maturity; it takes time for their maturity to grow and evolve into what it should be. When we live in moderation and allow God to work in us we allow him to transform us and mold us into what He would have us to be. [And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6]
Shades of Moderation
I'm only going to sleep eight hours and then I am going to get up and go to work.
I want to change my eating habits so I am going to gradually remove and add foods until it's where I want it.
I am going to save my money so that I can buy the things I want.
I don't believe in hoarding things in excess.
Everything Is Not Meant For You!
Golden Nuggets I Leave You!
Golden Dreamers, it is so important to live in moderation. The world will have you thinking that more is better and if you don’t have more, then you are ostracized by society. These worldly societal norms will lead you into living a life of sin. Everything that we have been talking about thus far humility, asceticism, purity, thankfulness, and moderation are all working together to bring you closer to the person that God wants you to be.
My hope is that you take all of what we discussed and apply it to your life. Until next time, be blessed and be kind to yourself and others.
Questions To Consider:
Do you live in moderation? Why or why not?
Do you buy things in excess even though you may not need it?
Do you idolize your possessions?
What does moderation mean to you? Do you feel that it is something that is attainable?
Why do you think that God requires moderation?