More Than God Said

16 Don’t be excessively righteous, and don’t be overly wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Don’t be excessively wicked, and don’t be foolish. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is good that you grasp the one and do not let the other slip from your hand. For the one who fears God will end up with both of them. Ecclesiastes 7:16-18

For a long time, I assumed people who took God seriously would be bothered by the same things as me. They would share my intensity and care about the same concerns.

I often defended the practices that shaped my devotion as though they were faithfulness itself.

“Don’t be excessively righteous” is a strange phrase in the Bible. The Teacher is not telling us to care less about holiness but warning us about righteousness that goes beyond what God requires.

I know how easily that happens. A conviction helps me follow Jesus, and soon I wonder why others don’t share it. My way of being faithful quietly becomes the measure of faithfulness.

The Teacher brings us back to the fear of God. I do not need to make God sound more serious by adding my rules to His. I need to take Him seriously enough to know the difference.

Father, keep me close to Your voice so I do not confuse it with my own. Give me humility to obey what You have said without adding what You have not.