The Bible emphasizes self-control and balance in every aspect of life. Today, we’ll explore how Scripture encourages us to practice moderation and avoid excess.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Christian Relationships
What Does The Bible Say About Everything In Moderation
Psalms 119:37
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
This verse emphasizes the importance of turning our focus away from things that have no eternal value. It reminds us that our lives are preserved and protected when we prioritize God’s word and seek after things that align with His will.
When we continuously indulge in worthless things, they can easily consume our time, energy, and attention, leading us away from God’s purpose for our lives. Instead, we are called to exercise moderation by discerning what is truly valuable and dedicating our time and efforts to those things that honor and glorify God.
Proverbs 25:16
If you find honey, eat just enough – too much of it, and you will vomit.
This verse provides a practical example of the principle of moderation. The imagery of eating honey in the right amount serves as a metaphor for indulging in any pleasurable or desirable thing.
This verse reminds us that even good things can become harmful when we consume them in excess. It encourages us to exercise self-control and avoid overindulgence, which can lead to negative consequences and diminish our ability to appreciate and enjoy the blessings God has given us.
Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
This verse highlights the value of self-control and patience over impulsive and excessive actions. It indicates that a person who exercises moderation and self-restraint is more commendable than someone who achieves great conquests through force.
Practicing moderation requires discipline and the ability to resist immediate gratification. It demonstrates wisdom and maturity, allowing us to make thoughtful decisions, maintain healthy relationships, and effectively manage various aspects of our lives.
1 Corinthians 9:25
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.
This verse draws a parallel between the discipline and self-control athletes exercise in their training and the spiritual journey of a believer. It emphasizes the need for moderation in focusing on eternal rewards rather than temporary accomplishments.
While athletes strive for earthly recognition and perishable crowns, as followers of Christ, we are called to fix our eyes on the eternal crown and seek after heavenly rewards. This requires maintaining a balanced perspective, not allowing worldly pursuits to overshadow our pursuit of God and His kingdom.
Proverbs 21:17
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
This verse highlights the potential consequences of excessive indulgence and a lifestyle consumed by pleasure-seeking. It warns that prioritizing pleasure and material possessions can result in spiritual and material poverty.
While it is not inherently wrong to enjoy life’s pleasures, placing them above our pursuit of God and the values of His kingdom can lead to spiritual emptiness and a lack of true fulfillment. Practicing moderation helps us maintain a healthy balance in enjoying the good things in life without allowing them to become idols or distract us from what truly matters.
Proverbs 15:17
Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.
This verse emphasizes the importance of contentment and the value of simple blessings over extravagant indulgence. It suggests that a modest portion of food shared in love brings more satisfaction than a lavish feast accompanied by negative emotions.
By choosing moderation and cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we can find joy and fulfillment in the simplest blessings of life. Rather than constantly striving for excess, we learn to appreciate the goodness of God’s provision and the meaningful connections we have with others.
Proverbs 23:20-21
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.
This passage warns against excessive drinking and overindulgence in food, highlighting the negative consequences that can result from uncontrolled behavior. It cautions that those who practice these habits will experience poverty and a lack of self-discipline.
Moderation in our consumption of food and drink helps us maintain a healthy body, strong self-discipline, and clear-mindedness. It enables us to be good stewards of the blessings God has given us and avoid the pitfalls associated with excess.
1 Timothy 3:2-3
Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
This passage provides a list of qualities expected of church leaders, including the characteristic of temperance or self-control. It suggests that moderation is an essential attribute for those in positions of spiritual authority.
Applying moderation in their personal lives and leadership allows church leaders to maintain integrity, avoid compromising situations, and effectively lead others by setting a positive example. It underscores the importance of self-control and balanced living for all believers.
Galatians 5:22-23
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.
As a part of the fruit of the Spirit, self-control is listed as one of the qualities that should manifest in the lives of believers. It reveals that practicing moderation is not merely a human effort but a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit within us.
When we yield to the direction and empowerment of the Spirit, He enables us to exercise self-control in all areas of our lives. This includes our desires, emotions, actions, and choices. Through the Spirit’s work, moderation becomes a testament to Christ’s transforming power in us.
Proverbs 30:8-9
Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God.
This passage expresses a prayer for balance and moderation in both material wealth and poverty. It acknowledges the spiritual dangers associated with extremes and seeks a contentment that relies on God’s provision.
By recognizing that an abundance of wealth can lead to self-sufficiency and pride, and that extreme poverty can tempt us to compromise our integrity, this verse encourages us to seek a balanced and moderate approach to our material needs. It reminds us to trust in God’s daily provision, acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence on Him.
Luke 12:15
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
This verse serves as a warning against the dangers of greed and the pursuit of material possessions. It reminds us that true life and fulfillment are not found in accumulating wealth but in faith and contentment in God.
By exercising moderation and resisting the pull of greed, we can avoid allowing possessions to dictate our identity, values, and priorities. Instead, we can focus on cultivating a rich relationship with God and pursuing things of eternal significance.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
This verse highlights the overarching principle of living for God’s glory in all areas of life. It reminds us that even in everyday activities such as eating and drinking, we have the opportunity to honor God through moderation and wise choices.
By practicing self-control and exercising moderation in all aspects of life, we can reflect God’s character and bring Him glory. This verse challenges us to evaluate our motives and behaviors, ensuring that they align with God’s will and prioritize His glory above all else.
Romans 12:3
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.
This verse encourages believers to maintain a balanced perspective of themselves and their abilities. It promotes humility and sober judgment, cautioning against both pride and self-deprecation.
Moderation in our self-perception helps us to accurately assess our strengths and limitations. It enables us to demonstrate humility, recognize our dependence on God, and utilize the gifts and abilities He has given us for His glory.
Proverbs 16:19
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
This verse contrasts the virtue of humility with the vice of pride. It suggests that it is better to live with a humble and modest attitude, even when facing challenges and oppression than to associate with the proud and their ill-gotten gains.
Moderation in our attitude and interactions with others allows us to cultivate humility, empathy, and compassion. It helps us to resist the temptation to seek excessive recognition or power at the expense of others, choosing instead to prioritize love and humility.
Proverbs 14:16
A wise person fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
This verse contrasts wisdom and foolishness, illustrating the difference between a person who exercises caution and self-control and someone who acts impulsively and arrogantly.
By practicing moderation and self-control, we demonstrate wisdom by considering the consequences of our actions and choices. It enables us to navigate life with discernment, avoiding unnecessary risks and pitfalls while remaining steadfast in our devotion to God.
Titus 2:1-2
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.
This passage emphasizes the importance of self-control and moderation in the lives of older men within the faith community. It underscores the influence and example they have in shaping the character and conduct of younger generations.
By living lives characterized by temperance and self-control, older men can effectively mentor and disciple younger believers. They are able to model a balanced and wise approach to life, providing guidance and encouragement in navigating various challenges and temptations.
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
This verse cautions against the excessive consumption of alcohol and the unrestrained behavior that often accompanies drunkenness. It urges believers to seek the filling and influence of the Holy Spirit rather than seeking temporary gratification through substances.
Exercising moderation in our use of substances protects us from the negative consequences associated with addiction, impaired judgment, and reckless behavior. It enables us to be led by the Spirit and walk in alignment with God’s will.
Proverbs 25:28
Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
This verse uses an analogy to highlight the vulnerability and potential destruction that comes with a lack of self-control. It draws a parallel between a city with breached defenses and a person who is unable to exercise moderation in various areas of life.
Moderation serves as a protective boundary, safeguarding us against the detrimental effects of impulsive behavior and unchecked desires. It allows us to live with integrity, maintain healthy relationships, and avoid the destructive consequences that may result from a lack of self-control.
Matthew 6:25-26
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
This passage encourages believers to trust in God’s provision and care, reminding us that life is more than material possessions and physical needs. It challenges us to exercise moderation in our concerns and anxieties, reminding us that worrying excessively about temporal matters diminishes our faith and removes our focus from eternal truths.
Moderation in our worries and concerns allows us to place our trust in God’s faithfulness and providence, recognizing that He is our ultimate source of security and provision. It frees us from becoming consumed by earthly pursuits and empowers us to seek after the things that truly matter.
Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
This verse encourages believers to exhibit moderation in their interactions with others, particularly through gentleness and kindness. It serves as a reminder that our conduct should reflect the presence and character of Christ in our lives.
Practicing moderation in our speech, actions, and attitudes allows us to display God’s love and grace to those around us. It fosters healthy relationships, promotes understanding and reconciliation, and enables us to be ambassadors of Jesus’ message of compassion and mercy.
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
This passage outlines the characteristics of godly wisdom, which include moderation and balanced living. It describes the qualities of a person who exercises wisdom from above, showcasing the fruit it produces in their interactions with others.
By cultivating moderation in our attitudes and conduct, we reflect the wisdom that comes from God. It allows us to be peacemakers, to demonstrate mercy and kindness, and to reap a harvest of righteousness as we faithfully follow the teachings of Jesus.