A Good Thing Can Become A Bad Thing
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5 (KJV)
A key to a good life is balance. When we get out of balance, it brings trouble. There are a number of verses that speak of living life in a balanced way.
Balanced Fellowship
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee. Proverbs 25:17 (KJV)
It is good to fellowship, but we must be careful not to wear out our welcome.
Balanced Marriage
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. I Corinthians 7:5 (KJV)
It is good to have a mate and to spend time with each other, but we also need private time for quietness and recharging time with God. We need times of being alone to think and rest. A good thing, such as marriage and sex, can become a bad thing if we don’t give each other time alone.
Balanced Eating
When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Proverbs 23:1-2 (KJV)
How about our diets? We need to eat to live, but if we do it too much, it becomes a bad thing. If we eat too much and gain weight, we overload our systems and they have to work harder. If we eat too much and become overweight or eat the wrong things all the time, it produces health problems. It’s okay to enjoy a dessert occasionally, but we have to maintain balance, or eating, which should be a good thing, becomes a bad thing.
Balanced Child Rearing
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Colossians 3:21 (KJV)
It is important to discipline children when they need it, but it can be harmful if we overdo it.
Balanced Communication
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: James 1:19 (KJV)
Talking is good, but can become bad if done too much. We can be so focused on what we have to say that we fail to hear others. As a result, we miss what they are telling us about their needs, ways to build relationships with them, or how to mend broken relationships.
Balance in Work
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ? Ecclesiates 7:16 (KJV)
Work is important and do is the desire to be good and excel at what you do. However, when we try too hard to be the best or overwork ourselves, it becomes a bad thing. Overwork and stress can break down our physical and mental health. And if we have no time for our family and friends, we can ruin relationships as well. work is good in its proper place, but don’t overdo it.
Balanced Exercise
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. I Timothy 4:8 (KJV)
This tells us that there is some value in exercise, but we must not get out of balance with it. We can over-exercise and even injure ourselves. However, balanced exercise, done with wisdom, can be good.
A Balanced Life
Anything that is good can become bad for us when we get out of balance with it. Don’t do things in the extreme. Rather, do your reasonable service (Romans 12:2). Wisdom will preserve our lives for the long haul. Don’t over do things or over-commit yourself. Be balanced and use wisdom. Know what you reasonably can and cannot do. Learn from your mistakes to make better choices in the future. Don’t under-do or overdo things. Instead, do what God wants you to do. Maintain a healthy balance in all areas of life so good things can remain good.
