How can fearing God help us avoid extremes, as Ecclesiastes 7:18 suggests? Setting the Verse in Context “Do not be excessively righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be foolish. Why should you die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will escape both extremes.” (Ecclesiastes 7:16-18) Solomon addresses two opposite dangers—self-made righteousness on one side and reckless sin on the other. The bridge of safety between them is “fearing God.” What Does It Mean to “Fear God”? • Reverent awe that recognizes His holiness and absolute authority (Deuteronomy 10:12; Isaiah 8:13) • A posture of trust and obedience that refuses to trifle with His commands (Proverbs 1:7) • Conscious awareness that every thought, word, and action is before His face (Psalm 33:18; Hebrews 4:13) Extremes Solomon Warns Against 1. Excessive righteousness • Legalism—trying to impress God or people with rigid rule-keeping • Spiritual pride and criticism of others (Luke 18:11-12) 2. Excessive wickedness • Throwing off restraint, excusing sin because grace will cover it (Romans 6:1-2) • Foolish habits that court disaster and shorten life (Proverbs 10:27) How Reverent Fear Leads to Balance • Centers life on God’s character, not our performance – “The LORD delights in those who fear Him” (Psalm 147:11) • Produces humility, reminding us we fall short of perfection (Romans 3:23) • Checks reckless impulses, because sin is ultimately against a holy God (Genesis 39:9; Psalm 51:4) • Invites continual wisdom—“He stores up sound wisdom for the upright” (Proverbs 2:7) • Keeps love and obedience together—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15) • Nurtures gratitude for grace, which saves us from both pride and despair (Titus 2:11-12) Practical Steps to Cultivate God-Fearing Balance • Start each day with Scripture meditation, asking what it reveals about God’s majesty and expectations • Pray for wisdom—“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5) • Examine motives: Am I serving to exalt Christ or myself? (Colossians 3:23-24) • Embrace accountability with mature believers to spot creeping legalism or compromise (Hebrews 10:24-25) • Celebrate God’s grace at the Lord’s Table, remembering Christ paid for both self-righteousness and lawlessness (1 Peter 3:18) • Pursue balanced disciplines: work and Sabbath rest, generosity and prudent saving, study and service (Ecclesiastes 3:1) Fruit of Walking in Balanced Reverence • Inner steadiness that circumstances cannot rattle (Isaiah 33:6) • Peace of conscience free from crippling guilt or smug pride (Romans 8:1) • A compelling witness that shows holiness without harshness, grace without laxity (Matthew 5:16) • Wisdom for everyday choices—“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6) Key Takeaways • Fear of God is a loving awe that anchors us between perfectionism and permissiveness. • It humbles the proud, restrains the reckless, and breathes wisdom into daily life. • Grasping both God’s holiness and His grace keeps us from veering to either extreme, enabling steady, joyful obedience. |
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