I really think finding moderation in life is an ongoing part of our Christian walk. I’m not talking about finding grey areas or being lukewarm; I’m talking about avoiding “religious” extremes that can pull you far off the center of what Christian faith should be. To further bring clarity to where I’m going here, I want to state that I don’t think we can truly serve God too much, but I do believe God calls us to balance within our servitude.
When I first felt the presence of the Holy Spirit impact my life in an amazing way, I was pumped up and on fire for God! I got the confirmation that He knew me, and heard me. There was nothing that would bring me down from this “spiritual high” I felt. I wanted God to consume my life—nothing else mattered. Though the experience I had was genuine, I was a baby Christian and had been for many years. Just like a teen who believes she’s in love with a new boy in her life, I wasn’t being rational in my actions. I found my self seeking more of the feeling I felt serving God (the dessert), than I was seeking God’s will (the meat) and direction for my life. There’s nothing wrong with being pumped up about the revival God has made in your life; there is something wrong with not moving on in your faith. My concern for those seeking feeling more than God’s direction is stated in the Gospel of Matthew:
- Matthew 24:24, “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect”
There is another extreme I see, and that is in those who are spiritually dead. These are the ones who serve God out of religion and tradition but really don’t appear to have sought a real relationship with Christ as far as anyone can see. These are the people who might appear very ridged or judgmental and fruitless, “having a form of godliness, but denying its power”.
- Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
We are likely to see these two extremes in churches that seek signs and wonders rather than God, and churches that are very legalistic. The best way I’ve found to maintain moderation is to check my heart frequently; are my ways lining up with the word of God? In both extremes I mentioned, there is often a pride factor as one might feel holier than another because of how they feel or what they do. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble there is wisdom.” Hopefully as believers, we are making our Christian walk more about focusing on God than on ourselves in feelings and works.
Scripture reference is quoted from the NKJV.