Extremism

"The man who fears God will avoid all extremes." (Ecclesiastes 7: 8 NIV)

There has always been a need for this warning! There have always been those who have "gone to extremes," in whatever area of life or philosophy one may be discussing. Examples abound where men have not "avoided" all the various "extremes" prevalent in both history and in today's world. It is quite evident that "extremism" has become the norm.

Somehow this matter of "avoiding all extremes" is connected with whether or not a man "fear's God." Solomon affirms that a man who truly "fears God" will "avoid all extremes." If a man is an "extremist," then it is apparent that he does not "fear God."

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess." (Matthew 23: 25 KJV)

"Excess" is almost a synonymn for "extreme." Jesus said that sinners are "full of excess (extremism)" in their hearts, and much of this they act out and express in both their words and deeds. "As a man thinks, so is he," wrote Solomon (Proverbs 23: 7); therefore, as he is "excessive" and "extreme" in his thoughts, so too will he be in his deeds, in his sins.

"Act according to the law they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left." (Deuteronomy 17: 11 & 5: 32 & Joshua 1: 7; 23: 6 NIV)

"Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil." (Proverbs 4: 25, 27 KJV)

What is meant by "swerving" or "turning to" the "right" or to the "left" of the word of God? Is it not to "avoid extremes"? Do the above verses not indicate that truth is a path that has "ditches" or "extremes" on either side of it?

"And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?" (Luke 6: 39 NIV)

Spiritually blind souls do not stay "in the middle of the road," but are rather often found in "ditches," and in "extreme" views and situations, in "excessive" practices. Only those who can "see," who are savingly enlightened by the Holy Spirit and by the gospel, are such who "keep out of" the "ditches," from "extremes," for it is the evidence that they are truly Christian, and truly saved, truly ones who "fear God."

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." (Isaiah 30: 21 NIV)

This "voice" is none other than the "voice of Christ" (See John 5 & John 10), the "voice" of the "Shepherd of the sheep," the "voice of Christ," the "voice of God."

The Holy Spirit leads the Lord's people, whispering in their ears the words of Jesus (John 14: 26), communicating to them the divine warnings, and thereby securing their safety in the middle of the road of truth and from falling into the ditches of extremism and excess. No wonder then that Paul could say these words in agreement with the above.

"As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way...in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left..." (II Corinthians 6: 4, 7 NIV)

Notice how the good and skilled soldier and warrior of Christ is one who is equipped with spiritual weapons in both his hands, metaphorically speaking. What can this connote? Symbolize and represent with respect to the Christian warfare with his battle with false teachers? Can it not at least include fighting errors "on the right hand (one extreme) and on the left (the opposite extreme)"?

"Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?" (Ecclesiastes 7: 16, 17 KJV)

Here is a common "extremism" indeed!

How can people be "over much righteous," or "too much good"? It is easy to understand why Solomon would say "don't be too wicked," perhaps, but it is hard to understand why he would say - "don't be too righteous."

How are we then to interpret these words? Against what is Solomon warning us?

Perhaps we might think of the first case (being 'too righteous') as best understood by citing some common maxims that seem to warn of the same evil.

"He is so 'heavenly minded' that he is no earthly good." Or,

"He is too religious (or 'superstitious' - See Acts 17: 22 KJV)."

Jesus requires that we balance things properly in life and thinking, and that we not be out of proportion, or immoderate, or intemperate, or inordinate.

"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we (do it to obtain) an incorruptible." (I Corinthians 9: 25 KJV)

"Let your moderation be known unto all men." (Philippians 4: 5 KJV)

What is "temperance" and "moderation" if it is not what Solomon called the "avoidance of all extremes"?

The Greek word for "moderation" may be translated as "your surrounding reasonableness" or "your sweet reasonableness."

Surely the word also speaks of one having balance and freedom from extremism. Christians ought not to be "radicals" in everything and ought to shy away, as much as possible, from being viewed as such by the world. In fact, when a Christian is being radical, and an extremist, he is then not distinguishing himself from the world, as he ought.

Do we wear "radical" dress? Do we say "outlandish things" regularly? Do we join "extremists" groups? There are lots of particular ways in which Christians can fall into the trap of the devil's and the world's various and multitudinous "extremisms."

Friend, are you one "given to extremes"? Then realize today that it stems from your lack of fear and reverence for your God and Maker. I pray you will seek the Lord to put his fear into your heart, for "the fear of the Lord is the principal part of wisdom," said Solomon, and the wisdom includes the "avoidance" of "extremes."