Extremes

My friend and I were talking towards the beginning of May, and we both came to the same conclusion- it seems that in almost all circumstances, Satan works in the extremes. Let me elaborate on some specific examples. Eight extremes, so four topics, have been brought to my attention on this matter. Yet, I know that there are probably unlimited more examples.  

Politics: 

Christians even seem to think that if you are not one party, or you are another party from them, you can't be saved. For example, it seems that most Christians think that the Republican party is the correct party. Some even claim "If Jesus was here [in the flesh] on earth, he would be a Republican." or "Democrats [because right now these are the two extremes in politics in America] cannot be saved because everything that the Democrats stand for goes against the Bible!" The biggest problem with those statements is that they are putting politics to the extremes.

There is nothing perfect about the Democratic Party. There is nothing perfect about the Republican Party. There is nothing perfect with the Green Party, or the Libertarian Party, or any other Party. They all have flaws. Some might have the wrong foundation, from a biblical perspective, or might have taken a good idea and went the wrong way when putting it into action. But, there is no perfect party. 

In fact, I have even heard people from different parties that look at how one party is dealing with a conflict and they claim they would never respond in said way. But there are always radicals in each party as well. One person does not stand for what the whole party believes, good or bad. This includes those who are actually representing the party- including the House, the Senate, and the President himself. 

You see, no matter where you go in the political argument, there are extremes. None of the extremes are good. Extreme Republicans cause issues when they riot. They hurt others. Extreme Democrats cause issues when they riot. They hurt others. Extreme "Nonpartisians" cause issues when they riot. They hurt others. The reverse can be said as well. Extreme Republicans hurt others when they stand back and don't do anything. Extreme Democrats hurt others when they stand back and don't do anything. Extreme "Nonpartisians" hurt others when they stand back and don't do anything.

Biblically, as Christians, we are called to follow God. We need to submit to authorities (Romans 13) no matter what they believe unless it goes against what God specifically said in His Word. Then, we are free from obeying those rules from the government, because we serve God before we serve the world (Acts 5:29).

Exercise/Dieting: 

Let's switch up the topics in case the first one is something you are really sensitive about, which I can respect. This topic might hit others much closer to home. It is important to today's culture that they let all of the young ones that it is okay to "be yourself" and "love yourself" (which, again, I could go into much more detail about my opinion on that). At the same time, our culture tells many kids and teens that you want to be skinny, and it is embarrassing to be fat. But is it? 

American modeling agencies will only hire girls or guys (but this seems to mostly apply to the girls) who are underweight and look thin enough. You have to be skinny. You have to be tall. You have to have the figure of a model. But, they will have a separate section called the "Plus-Sized Model". They seem to be less picky about who fits into this category, except that they have to be 'fat'. They have to be a plus size. They have to have curves. 

Again, you have the extremes. If you want to look pretty, according to the modeling agencies (and thus the American culture) you have to be tall and skinny- no matter how unhealthy it is- or you have to be a "Plus-Size" and be curvy. There is no in-between that is considered acceptable. You can be anything that is size "X" something (aka XS or XL). Size "Medium" and "Large" is just too much in between. Many people get health issues and self-worth problems because of the extremes. People with extra weight, but still the ability to burn it and be healthy, chose to eat unhealthily and not bother working out because the culture has now said that being fat is okay. And, on the other end of the extreme, people who are 'average' often feel like they have to take on an extreme diet, and sometimes go days without eating, simply so they can look pretty. 

Biblically, as Christians, we are told to take care of our body, because it is a temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We need to care about what we eat, but God created our bodies to rely on food to get energy so we can function. Unless we are fasting, and for a specific purpose, we are not supposed to not eat altogether, or overly reduce our consumption to an unhealthy extreme. Yet, again, we are supposed to care about our bodies. We are not supposed to live on only junk food and soda. 

Sleep & Work: 

Again, there are extremes. Some people chose to live in their beds. They sleep in, possibly get out for food, and then just go back to bed. They take naps even when they slept fine, and the rest throughout the whole day. Others will tell themselves that they don't need sleep. They will party hard all night, head back home and possibly get a wink of sleep before starting the day again. 

There are exceptions to these extremes, such as insomniacs and those who are bedridden. But, while these seem to be less common, these two extremes are not healthy. I, personally, have found that people who chose to spend their whole days sleeping are more common than those who don't understand the importance of sleep. Both are not healthy, and should not be encouraged. 

Tying into the topic mentioned above, there are extremes in the work environment as well. Some people are sluggards when it comes to working. These are easier to find because they will not be in a work uniform- ever. They did not go out and take the time to apply for a job because they do not want to work. They are living off someone else's income, and they often don't think that it is a problem at all. 

Then, you have the other end of the coin- the other extreme. These are the work-a-holics. You have probably never seen these people unless they are in your life via family, or family of a friend, or sometimes even a friend themselves. They practically live at work. Whether they show up on time or early to work, they will stay late and work during the weekend as well. Oftentimes they are motivated by the extra income they get while working more hours, sometimes that is not the case. They wear themselves out so when they do finally come home they do not want to talk with anyone or do anything home. They practically live, sleep, and breathe work. 

God wants us to rest, but he does not want us to become lazy and sluggard. I could give you just one reference, but if you read through the Proverbs, the topic of a lazy sluggard is common. At the same time, God wants us to rest because it is the way He designed us. In fact, 1) He rested on the seventh day of creation, and 2) because of that, He had His chosen people, Israel, have a Sabbath every week as well.