The numbered labels on this chart are some of the arbitrary labels that people will apply to those left or right of themselves.
Overall, I want you to observe how the moderate position (in rather poetic yellow) shifts in pursuit of peace with the ever-more-damnable lies they encounter.

In the 1st Generation, where truth is squarely known and practiced, along comes Satan with that classic deceptive question, "Yea, hath God said?" That question is relentless and restless; it scarcely lets off the gas; it will drive you as far as it possibly can. If you are not going to God for the answers, the Devil will be happy to provide solutions. This question is advertisement for Satan's solutions. Beware the rudiments of this world.

In the 2nd Generation, we see the perception of what is normal, moving away from the absolute.
What was once seen as true is now outdated.
What was once "lukewarmness" is now the center of "common sense" solutions.
At the far end of the line, something new and "controversial" looms.
The patronizing and "tolerant" peacemaker tells us not to fear. We should simply "go along to get along."
Do not believe the lies of those who proclaim "peace when there is no peace" as in Jeremiah 6:14 and surrounding verses.

In many ways, we are in the 3rd Generation already, and it is very confusing.
What was once considered outdated or even true is now considered legalism.
We label Christ a Pharisee in our unrighteousness, and the true legalists are left smirking, because the label is being applied to somebody else.
Common sense is borderline outdated.
And the passive legacy of poisoned "peacemakers" has placed us in a relativistic "reality."
The worst of lies are now labeled "progress."
And the modern "moderates," somewhat discontent with "reality" are keen to sample the fruit of the tree of "progress."

I must warn you. When everyone does "what is right in their own eyes," as in the book of Judges, lacking sound judgement, they will certainly face the judgement of God, Whose judgement is sound and Whose enforcement is sure.

Scriptures Next...

SCRIPTURES

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." - Joshua 24:15 KJV
What things are meant to be separate, keep separate, no syncretism, no spiritual adultery. Make a choice.

"14 They have healed also the hurt [of the daughter] of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when [there is] no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time [that] I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD.
16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein].
17 Also I set watchmen over you, [saying], Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what [is] among them."
- Jeremiah 6:14-18 KJV
There is no rest for the wicked (Isaiah 59:20), no concord with Christ and Belial (2 Corinthians 6:15).
So do not proclaim peace with spiritual darkness while we are at spiritual warfare with it.

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Micah 6:8 KJV
All this, that man might walk with God.
If we do justly, extending love and mercy, and showing humility, this brings reconciliation between God and man, bringing man from darkness to light, redemption, not mixture, "separated unto" God.

Peace with God, a true Gospel of Peace.
"Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
- Matthew 5:9 KJV
"18 And all things [are] of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech [you] by us: we pray [you] in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 KJV
See also: Romans 10:15 and Ephesians 6:15.

History repeats itself.
"In those days [there was] no king in Israel: every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes."
- Judges 21:25 KJV
"And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
- Matthew 24:12 KJV
"1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
- 2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV

Addressing the root of the "moderate" position, relativism.
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
- 2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV

Everyone is “moderate” in their own eyes:
3. Moderates, between “what is” and what could be;
2. “tolerant” Peacemakers, between law and lawless; and
1. the Lukewarm, who simply refuse to care.

But for the grace of God, we all, comparing ourselves among ourselves, would embrace lies.

How do we navigate the advice given to us by clearly opposing sides? We all know people who lean one way or the other on spiritual or political issues. What is the truth? Why might it evade us?

On the left we have Bunyan's ox. What is the context of this bull's advice? Does it aim off-center to begin with?
You could reframe this as a game of dodgeball. If you always throw wide left or wide right, downrange, they probably dodge the other direction frequently, if they need to move at all.
So how's your aim? Is your mentor off the mark to begin with?

Context is a wiser and wider view of the situation than mere "perspective."
If we set the best of our intentions as "true north," as if everything is relative to us, our perspective may well be askew.
If we fail to see the full picture as God frames it, preferring personal perspectives over Scriptural context, we are deceiving ourselves and those who hear us.

On the right we have your standard-issue ox. This one can be a little contrary, a bit bull-headed. This bull may simply contradict the other. "I'm right because you're always wrong," he says.
Well, big guy, sometimes you're both wrong. You're being played.
That fancy flashy flirtatious cape is just a lie, wielded by leaders and influencers who think that if they can dodge you, they can dodge God, too. But that's not how it works. Sometimes God lets the bull make contact.
Sometimes the works of darkness, sometimes the deceitful handling of the Word of God is exposed.
Sometimes the truth hits hard.

At the bottom we have a bull of ruddy hue, presumably here to do some stunts in the arena and earn his wiiiings!
Sometimes, he doesn't get a straight answer because he isn't taken seriously.
Sometimes, a little uncertainty is meant to encourage a little research, a little experience, a little diligence and effort and maturity.
The truth of a matter can be hard to discern. Without proper context, "good" advice of varying perspectives can turn us off course.
We need more than just limited human and/or humanistic perspectives.
We need to learn how to judge—not simply be prejudiced—but to discern things in the context of God's Word.

If we are chasing "wide left" and "wide right," or even charging straight up the center, we may collect quite a bit of data. "…ever learning…"
But if we do not acknowledge, accept, and apply the absolutes of God's Word, those dodgy fellows will continue to get us with their capes. "…but never coming to a knowledge of the truth."
Do you want truth? God is able to teach you what to focus on, what to follow, and how to follow through.
_

BONUS
I'm sure there are puns to be had in the comments, but I'll leave you with a vague and pithy one:
As you are able, learn the difference between the ring and the china shop.
Wait, which ring?
Is it good or bad to be in the china shop?
How far should we be yeeting matadors? It's a bird, it's a plane… Should it be seen as sport?

1 📷 "And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good." - Genesis 1:24-25 KJV
In the beginning, when God created the natural world, he established that creatures would reproduce after their kind.
Not only do we see creatures reproducing after their kind in the physical world.
But also, in the spiritual world we see fruit produced after their kind.
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2 📷 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit." - Matthew 7:15-17 KJV
As it is with physical fruit, so it is with spiritual fruit.
As surely as frogs beget frogs, wolves will beget wolves, snakes will beget snakes...and you're probably already thinking metaphorically.
Sin begets death.
Romans 6:23 KJV - "23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
James 1:15 KJV - "15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
The key is repentance, a supernatural change.
How shall we be sheep unless the blood of the Lamb flows in our veins?
A wolf wears dead wool, purchased or slaughtered—buying them off or slaying the sheep that get in their way—to wear their cloak.
A thief on the wall or a snake in the grass is not a sheep either.
Fit in, or sneak in...you're still not in till you're rid of sin.
You must come in by the Door.
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3 📷 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." - John 3:6 KJV
Drawing parallels between the natural and spiritual world is about as safe as riding a unicycle on a tightrope.
To compare physical things with spiritual things, natural with supernatural, can be deadly dangerous, though we do it with object lessons all the time.
A very effective object lesson can confuse the natural & the supernatural.
The object so well illustrates the lesson that, after a while, we cannot separate the two.
This is one place paganism begins.
Mystics, the superstitious, naturalists & more, have fundamental confusion regarding these things.
They believe the creature rather than the Creator, directing labor & love—worship—in every direction conceivable, away from the Living God.
ROM 1:18-25
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen."
While the physical world is an excellent analog of the spiritual world, let's not learn the wrong lessons—things that are counter to God's moral code.
And let's not invert the relationship, as Satan would have us do, worshipping the creature—the mere illustration when it comes to principles, & corrupt at that—rather than the Creator.

The creature is cursed by sin; the Creator is blessed forever, holy.

4 📷 "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." - Colossians 3:2 KJV
Set Your Affections Where?
Though there are strong parallels ordained by God between the natural and the supernatural, they are not the same...similar but not the same.
Beware of any attempt by the god of this world to blind you to this world's witness of God, or to worship the messenger.
No holy cows, no spirit animals, no worship or prayers to saints or angels.
Let us rather set our affection on things above, on the King of Kings, not on things on the Earth, or its prince.
And let us find spiritual life in Christ, while we bear witness of the Gospel on this earth.
2 Corinthians 4:4, 7, 16, 18 KJV
"4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. ...
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ...
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. ...
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
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5 📷 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." - Galatians 6:7 KJV
The natural creature reproduces after its kind, and
the spirit produces fruit that reveals its true character.
The writer of Romans 3:8 addresses an interesting perspective on this matter. There were people who accused him of saying,
"Let us do evil, that good may come."
He responded that this mindset was damnable. Is it not an abomination?
● Back to Matthew 7:15-17,
do we sow thistles, that figs may come?
● Do we sow wild oats? do we have a rumspringa,
expecting spiritual growth?
● Do we bribe God to look the other way with indulgences?
● Do we rob God? Malachi 3:8
● Do we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Romans 6:1
Spiritually Discerning
While physical sowing and reaping are quite visible, spiritually, people are far less discerning.
We so quickly wither in the face of opposition or are easily sidetracked by bad ideas with no track record, or at least no truthful record that is politically correct to publish.
We are scattered like so much grain upon a patch of earth.
Read Matthew 13 for more on that point.
And yet, I have see many plants, whether hardy or fragile, beautiful or noxious, poisonous or nutritious, growing in places the determinist would dismiss.
Let the power of God grow you where you are planted.
There are some who make excuse regardless how good the soil. And there are others who allow bad conditions to make a false prophet out of them.
Understand the perils, learn what is profitable, and grow where you are planted.
Whatever the obstacles, natural or supernatural, grow, by the grace of God.
But this illustration is about more. It is about being a sower, being a co-laborer, sowing in your life and the lives of others, spreading the Word.

6 📷 "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." - Galatians 6:8 KJV
Sow in Tears
We are slow to sow in tears, unless they are tears of self-pity, and so we scarcely reap in joy, unless we count the fleeting sense of instant gratification, or the feel-good follies of false prophets.
Psalm 126:5 KJV
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy."
Little do we sow in tears; little do we reap in joy.
The stewards in the parable of the talents weren't just feel-good investors (Matthew 25).
In living color, they had challenges to face, known enemies and unknown growing conditions. They earned their living by the sweat of their brow.
Jesus, the Bread of Life, earned for us eternal life, by the sweat of His blood-stained brow.
If you ever think you had a hard day of work, remember...
If you ever thought you could pay the price God requires, remember...
Remember Jesus Christ.
But wait a minute, shouldn't joy beget joy?
Hebrews 12:2 KJV
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Jesus looked forward to joy, with hope, and that is what He found.
He believed the Father,
Jesus Christ the Son,
prayed in anguish of spirit,
"Thy will be done."
Jesus believed God,
a hope beyond trials,
a faith that would walk
even double the miles.
Do you believe God?
His face you will see.
What have you sown
for eternity?
Colossians 3:1-4 KJV
"1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory."
You reap what you sow...
There is much more to say on this topic.
If you want to read ahead, go to 1 Corinthians 15, and consider its relation to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and how we have access to such grace as we look forward to His appearing.

Lord, Write
The Book of My Life

Oh Lord, I want You to write the book of my life;
Take the quill, and write every line;
And when I'm turning the page at the end of the age,
May it read that Your Will transformed mine.

Oh Lord, I want You to search the script of my life;
Lord, I long to be perfectly whole.
Show me every blot, ev'ry error in plot;
I want Jesus to be in control.

Oh Lord, I want You to write the theme of my life;
Write the song that beckons my soul;
Write a song that is free, pen my heart's melody
That I'll sing while eternity rolls.

Poetic Prayer by Eric Druist

Will You Part at the Portals?
by Eric Druist

Will you part at the portals
at the end of the day?
Will you stand undecided
as time passes away?

Will you walk on together
with the family of God?
Or will you find yourselves parted
in the courtroom of God?