MODERATION

The topic moderation is one that most Christians do not want to discuss in spite of the fact that God has called us unto it.
This is because they often have a problem of knowing where to draw the line, whilst some others do not even bother at all to moderate them selves in their life style.
Moderation has to do with being moderate. To be moderate according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is to be average in size or amount: neither too much nor too little. It is avoiding extremes of behaviour or expression: observing reasonable limits; something not expensive but reasonable or low in price.
The word moderate has also been variously defined as "not excessive or extreme; not extravagant " etc.
Now that we have defined moderation, we will now proceed to answer the question why moderation? The bible says in Paul's letter to the Philippians :
Philippians 4:5 KJV
[5] Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
It is a requirement for Christian people to be guided by this virtue if they must make heaven. We are not to be excessive or to go to extremes in our lifestyle. It is required of us as Christians therefore to toe a middle of the road approach to life. We are to observe reasonable limits as the Holy Ghost leads. Why should this be so? The reason is because the Lord's coming is at hand. Our attitude should be like those who are pilgrims whose home is not this world but are just passing by.
It is for this reason that Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians:
1 Corinthians 7:31 KJV
[31] And they that use this world, as not abusing it : for the fashion of this world passeth away.
When a believer abhors moderation, the tendency is to be worldly and to set his mind on the things beneath instead of the things above. ( Colossians 3 : 1-3 ).
Our patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob understood the need for moderation and sojourned in the land of promise like strangers since they looked for a city whose builder and maker is God.
Hebrews 11:8-10 KJV
[8] By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. [9] By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: [10] For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Moderation finds expression in virtually every area of Christian living. In our dressing, in our attitude to display of wealth, attitude to food, our quest to make money, our manner of speech etc.
A believer that has not imbibed the virtue of moderation will find it difficult to eschew worldliness in his life. Remember therefore that friendship of the world is enmity with God. ( James 4:4 ). The Christian life is a race in which we as athletes are all running to win the prize which is making heaven. A lot of discipline and moderation is required to win this race and obtain the crown.
1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV
[25] And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
The word temperate in the above verse of scripture can safely be substituted with moderate. This is the high point of this teaching.
Like we said earlier, moderation can find expression in our dressing ( 1 Timothy 2:9 ), in our manner of talking ( Proverbs 10:19 and James 1: 19 - 20 ) etc etc.
As we close this teaching, our sincere heart cry should be for God to teach us moderation.
Be blessed as you read, comment, like and share to bless others with this message.