The Importance of Balance.

 "A just weight is his delight: but a false balance is abomination to the Lord."
— Proverbs 11:1

Standards are important. Convictions are important. But there has to be a balance.

There must be balance in our dress standards.

There must be balance in our music standards.

There must be balance in our friendships.

There must be balance in church,

There must be balance in how we conduct ourselves.

Balance is highly important. On side A of the pendulum swings between harshness, pride and personal preference. This side will push others away. The other side which will say is B swings apathy, excuses and compromise. There has to be  a balance in all this. Some people will either be super strict and mean with their standards. While the other will base it off the world or how they feel. There has to be a balance.

Because each opposite end produces failure in the Christian life.

Side A produces:

A. Pride

B. Fake Spirituality

C. Unnecessary rules.

D. Usually Rebellion within the kids.

Side B produces:

A. Weak testimony.

B. No Bible standards.

C. A influx of worldliness within the kids which could cause the kids to fall-out.

But where can the balance be found?

The balance is found in God's word!

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
— Psalm 119:105

We must base every conviction and standard on the Bible.

I have found many helpful thoughts on this topic from a book Pastor Jeff Fugate wrote entitled, Balance in the Christian Home.

A.  Don't follow rules blindly.

“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition…” – Mark 7:13

Know what you believe and have a reason to believe them. 

B.  Don't follow Standards based off of  what you think or feel.

“Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” – Judges 21:25

Our flesh is sinful and should not be the source of standards. We never base what we believe on what feels good, or what we think is right. Always go back to the Bible.

Lastly here is what Balance does for you,

1. It keeps the Christian life sustainable.

Without balance, people burn out. Some try to live with extremely rigid rules they can’t even explain — and they end up bitter, exhausted, or faking it. On the other side, others will end up falling to the world.

2. We become a good example.

Balance in your standards makes you a good example, not a stumbling block. People are watching: younger siblings, lost friends, new Christians. If you come across too harsh or too worldly, they’ll be confused — but balance shows what joyful, holy living looks like.

3. It keeps the next generation.

Teaching the next generation balanced standards is vital because kids learn more from example than rules. Too harsh standards can make them obey out of tradition and later reject the faith, while too loose standards leave them confused and open to worldly influence. Balanced teaching, rooted in Scripture helps kids develop true conviction, personal faith, and confidence to live for God. Parents who lead with love and clear reasons raise kids who follow Christ joyfully and stand strong.

So in every part of your life, find a balance that is based off of God's word.