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Keeping Your Spiritual Balance

Keeping Your Spiritual Balance. “moderation” means “graciousness with strength and poise of character…” (A.T. Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, 129). “what is right or fitting,” “what is serviceable,” then “equitable,” “moderate,” “reasonable,” “gentle.”.

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Keeping Your Spiritual Balance

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  1. Keeping Your Spiritual Balance

  2. “moderation” means “graciousness with strength and poise of character…” (A.T. Robertson, Paul’s Joy in Christ, 129). “what is right or fitting,” “what is serviceable,” then “equitable,” “moderate,” “reasonable,” “gentle.”

  3. “Perhaps the best corresponding English word is graciousness—the graciousness of humility; the humble graciousness that produces the patience to endure injustice, disgrace and mistreatment without retaliation, bitterness or vengeance. It is contentment…extremes of self-love, self-esteem, and self fulfillment lead only to greater and greater instability and anxiety. On the other hand, those whose focus is not on them-selves cannot be knocked off balance by inequity, injustice, unfair treatment, lies or humiliation.” John MacArthur

  4. Pray for Discernment “discernment selects, classifies, and applies what is furnished by knowledge” (Vincent) The phrase “approve the things that are excellent” is to “distinguish the things that differ” (footnote, ASV) “have a sense of what is vital” (Mofatt’s Translation). 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; Philippians 1:9–10 (NASB95)

  5. Balance in Avoiding Extreme Attitudes There is wisdom in avoiding extremes A self-righteous spirit leads to eventual self-destruction Diotrophes, 3 John 9-11 At the opposite extreme is the man who uses the enigmas of life to excuse a course of willful sin Ecclesiastes 8:17 15 I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. 16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself? 17 Do not be excessively wicked and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp one thing and also not let go of the other; for the one who fears God comes forth with both of them. Ecclesiastes 7:15–18 (NASB95)

  6. Balance in Recognizing Error in People’s Lives We must avoid hyper-critical and hypocritical judgment of others Matt 7:1-5 We must realize the necessity of proper judgment Matt 7:13-23 Paul likewise encourages us to maintain balance in our reproof of brethren Galatians 6:1-2 33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (NASB95)

  7. Balance in Facing Enemies of the Gospel We are to be bold and careful in our proclamation of truth To be “harmless as doves” is to be honest, open, sincere, hiding nothing Over-reaction in controversy hurts the cause of Christ 16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 (NASB95)

  8. Balanced Effort to Defend the Truth Without Stooping to Error’s Tactics Paul assertively addressed false brethren Gal 1:6-9 Compromising brethren should be confronted Gal 2:11 Paul always had pure motives Gal 1:10; 5:15 6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! Galatians 1:6–9 (NASB95)

  9. Balance in Distinguishing Personal Opinion from Doctrinal Apostasy Recognizing personal opinion allows room for spiritual growth 1 Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. 2 One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.3 The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Romans 14:1–3 (NASB95)

  10. Balance in Distinguishing Personal Opinion from Doctrinal Apostasy Recognizing personal opinion allows room for spiritual growth False teachers operate through dissension and must be recognized 17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. Romans 16:17 (NASB95)

  11. Balance in Distinguishing Personal Opinion from Doctrinal Apostasy Recognizing personal opinion allows room for spiritual growth False teachers operate through dissension and must be recognized Fellowship demands wisdom 17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. Romans 16:17 (NASB95)

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