All Things in Moderation?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve heard people say, “All things in moderation.” I’ve said it myself. And in many areas of life, I try to live it.

For example, I exercise six days a week and generally watch what I eat. But at times, I find myself enjoying queso and tortilla chips at lunch.

Am I aware that tortilla chips and queso aren’t exactly healthy? Yes.
Am I aware that I’ll need to burn a few extra calories to balance it out? Yes.

But hey… all things in moderation, right?

I don't eat a whole bag of tortilla chips or finish the entire bowl of queso. So, in that sense, I exercised a little self-control. I moderated the indulgence. We'll call it "fellowship." ;-)

And in the world’s terms, that makes sense.

But as I walked with Jesus today, something didn’t sit quite right.

Because that same phrase doesn’t translate into the practical side of my walk with Him.

Listen to how it sounds when applied there:

“All sin in moderation.”

No.

Zero sin is the aim—not a moderate amount.

I understand that perfection isn’t something I can claim in this life. But there is a difference between falling into sin and making room for it… between being caught off guard and quietly permitting it, even if a little bit.

This isn’t about legalism. It’s about God bringing to my awareness what He expects of an "Ambassador of God," a pilgrim walking the narrow Way.

It's about:

Awareness of what sin is according to Scripture.
Awareness of how it shows up in my own life.
And a willingness to turn away from it when it does.

What I’ve noticed is that it can be easy—even among believers—to tolerate certain things, as long as they are kept “in moderation.” But the narrow path was never described as moderate. It was described as narrow… and difficult… and not often chosen.

Beware the broad path! It leads to destruction.

Why is that?

Because the broad path feels reasonable. Manageable. Acceptable. Close enough.

“Close enough” isn’t the language of the narrow path.

When it comes to food, the world constantly changes its mind. What’s good one year is bad the next. It can be hard to keep up.

But God’s Word doesn’t shift like the FDA or WHO.

It gives a steady direction for a life that honors Him.

If I occasionally eat something unhealthy, I can work it out at the gym.

But if I intentionally allow sin into my life…
that’s not something I can work off.

That’s something I bring before the Holy Spirit.

Not out of fear… but out of love.

Because I don’t want to walk a path where “moderation” becomes a substitute for obedience.

I simply want to walk the narrow path—with Him.

_______

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13–14 (NKJV)