The Bible directs Christians to practice moderation, stressing the significance of self-control, temperance, and restraint. Although it encourages the enjoyment of life and its bounties, the Bible reminds believers not to indulge their senses to excess. Several Bible verses emphasize the need for moderation, presenting this virtue as an integral part of a balanced, righteous way of life.
Who is called to practice moderation?
The Bible calls everyone to practice moderation, regardless of age, gender, or social status. Both in societal interactions and personal lives, believers are encouraged to exercise moderation in all aspects. Through moderation, one can maintain a clear conscience, cultivate positive character, and foster a stronger connection with one’s spiritual life—values held in high esteem in Biblical teachings.
What does the Bible say about moderation?
The Bible treats moderation as a key virtue, encouraging believers to avoid overindulgence in worldly pleasures, whether it be food, drink, wealth, or power. At the same time, it does not impose ascetic restrictions but rather promotes a balanced, controlled enjoyment of life’s bounties. It emphasizes the idea that excess of anything can lead to unnecessary complications and problems, positioning moderation as a potent solution to prevent such issues. Thus, Biblical teachings significantly highlight the importance of restraint and balance.
Where is moderation reflected in our lives?
Moderation, as advocated by the Bible, can be prominently reflected in multiple aspects of a believer’s life. It’s seen in our eating habits, speech, use of time, management of resources, handling of power, and even our thought processes. By practicing moderation, believers can sustain a peaceful life, mitigate disputes, and foster a harmonious coexistence with others. It helps maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduces conflicts, and promotes overall well-being, aligning with Biblical teachings.
Why is moderation considered important in the Bible?
The importance of moderation in the Bible is deeply rooted in the belief that overindulgence can lead to spiritual and moral degradation. Lack of restraint often results in the misuse of blessings, greed, corruption, and a myriad of other challenges. On the contrary, moderation helps maintain a spiritual equilibrium and build a strong moral character—qualities highly revered in Biblical teachings. Moderation is thus presented as a crucial tool that not only prevents ones from straying from righteousness but also helps lead a serene, competent life.
When should one practice moderation?
According to the Bible, moderation should be practiced at all times. It’s not just a matter of decision during occasions of extravagance or in moments of recklessness, but a continuous commitment to maintain balance in daily life. Whether in joy or sorrow, wealth or poverty, power or submission, the Bible instructs believers to exhibit moderation. By practicing moderation, one can effectively navigate through various life situations, enabling them to adhere to the principles of righteousness, as outlined in the Bible.
Below is the full list of bible verses on moderation (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Moderation
1 Corinthians 6:12
“12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”
Related Themes: Addiction Technology Freedom Gluttony Sports
Proverbs 25:27
“27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.”
Related Themes: Pride Food Overeating Gluttony
1 Corinthians 9:25
“25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”
Related Themes: Self-Control Self Discipline Indulgence Concentration
Philippians 4:5
“5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”
Related Themes: Reputation Indulgence Gentleness Gluttony
Ephesians 5:18
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Health Indulgence Drugs Self-Control
Galatians 5:13
“13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
Related Themes: Freedom Humility Serving Others Love Freedom
Titus 2:7
“7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,”
Related Themes: Respect Morality Gold Morals Excellence
Proverbs 25:16
“16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.”
Related Themes: Gluttony Health Temperance Food
Proverbs 20:1
“1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”
Related Themes: Holiness Addiction Health Quitting Indulgence
1 Timothy 5:23
“23 Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.”
Related Themes: Health Alcoholism Healing
1 Peter 5:8
“8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Related Themes: Lust Business Addiction Satan Self-Control
Proverbs 23:20-21
“20 Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh:21 For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”
Related Themes: Gluttony Indulgence Lust Health
Titus 2:3
“3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;”
Colossians 2:20-23
“20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.”
1 Timothy 3:8
“8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;”
Related Themes: Reputation Leadership
Romans 14:21
“21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.”
Psalm 104:15
“15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.”
Related Themes: Food
Ephesians 5:18-20
“18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Health Indulgence Drugs Self-Control
1 Timothy 6:10
“10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Matthew 7:12
“12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
Related Themes: Criticism Gossip Respect Respecting Your Parents Morality
Galatians 5:21
“21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Related Themes: Morality Morals Self-Control Adultery Substance Abuse
1 Corinthians 5:11
“11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Related Themes: Dating Acceptance Money Tolerance Reputation
Ephesians 5:1
“1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Complaining Children Reputation Reverence
Psalm 150:1-6
“1 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.”
Related Themes: Music Earth Creativity Singing
1 Corinthians 8:9
“9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
Proverbs 23:29-35
“29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.”
Related Themes: Complaining Lust
Habakkuk 2:15
“15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Lust Health Holiness Omnipresence
Psalm 104:14-15
“14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.”
Luke 7:34
“34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”
Related Themes: Gluttony
