Too Much of a Good Thing?
What is ONE thing in life of which you just can’t seem to get enough? Is it a food like steak or German chocolate cake? A hobby or sport like gardening, hunting, baseball or football? Perhaps a form of entertainment like music, movies or TV shows? Maybe even getting in a good nap?
Because most of us are blessed with abundance, we can at least occasionally experience the enjoyment of one or more of our favorite things. Caution, however, must be exercised lest we overindulge or even become addicted to these things. Solomon wrote, “Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit” (Proverbs 25:16). Too much of anything (except for commitment to Christ) can be harmful and can cause us to neglect more important matters.
The scriptures teach that moderation and discipline are essential to authentic Christian living. Self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and in the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-9). The latter passage goes on to say that those who omit qualities like self-control are “short-sighted, even to blindness.”
The Apostle Paul adds, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Cor. 6:12).
That said, we need to ask ourselves, “Have we allowed our “favorite things” to dominate our time and focus, as opposed to spiritual things?” Do we ever neglect worship attendance in favor of a beloved activity? Do we sometimes replace Bible study with watching our favorite show? Do we find ourselves getting more excited about sports or hunting than we do about praying to God?
Jesus said, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33). Paul added, “Set your mind (focus, attention) on things above, not on things on the earth (Col 3:2). May God help us to possess the discipline required to put “first things first.”
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
What is ONE thing in life of which you just can’t seem to get enough? Is it a food like steak or German chocolate cake? A hobby or sport like gardening, hunting, baseball or football? Perhaps a form of entertainment like music, movies or TV shows? Maybe even getting in a good nap?
Because most of us are blessed with abundance, we can at least occasionally experience the enjoyment of one or more of our favorite things. Caution, however, must be exercised lest we overindulge or even become addicted to these things. Solomon wrote, “Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit” (Proverbs 25:16). Too much of anything (except for commitment to Christ) can be harmful and can cause us to neglect more important matters.
The scriptures teach that moderation and discipline are essential to authentic Christian living. Self-control is listed as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), and in the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:5-9). The latter passage goes on to say that those who omit qualities like self-control are “short-sighted, even to blindness.”
The Apostle Paul adds, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (1 Cor. 6:12).
That said, we need to ask ourselves, “Have we allowed our “favorite things” to dominate our time and focus, as opposed to spiritual things?” Do we ever neglect worship attendance in favor of a beloved activity? Do we sometimes replace Bible study with watching our favorite show? Do we find ourselves getting more excited about sports or hunting than we do about praying to God?
Jesus said, “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6:33). Paul added, “Set your mind (focus, attention) on things above, not on things on the earth (Col 3:2). May God help us to possess the discipline required to put “first things first.”
Live for the Lord in 2024!
Dennis
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