By: Gideon St Bryce
“Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth” (2 Peter 3:17 – New English Translation).
A segment of a quote by Amelia E. Barr says, “Be not too strict; too far east is west. You may lose all by demanding all.” This quote is considered an American proverb. The wisdom in this proverb is obvious: if you overreach, there is a real risk of sacrificing what you have already gained. This advocates moderation in pursuits and encourages temperance in ambitions. It teaches values akin to ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,’ and reinforces the lesson conveyed in the story of the dog with the bone, where the greedy dog let go of the bone in its mouth in an attempt to snatch the apparently larger bone it saw reflected from its image in the river.
The proverb also speaks to relationships. Those of us who are parents, marriage-mates, teachers, work supervisors, or involved in any kind of meaningful relationship, know, that if we are honest, we can identify areas in the relationship where ‘more’ can be experienced. Even when the relationship is functional and satisfying, there is always the feeling, by either or both parties in the relationship, that ‘more’ can be given, and ‘more’ is oftentimes expected. Our proverb warns that while we may be entitled to make requests for ‘more,’ we must be conscious that everyone who receives a request operates within their ability and capacity, and they may not be able to fulfil the request, even if you were entitled to make it, because it is simply outside of their capacity to do so.
Perhaps the most pertinent analogy of my use of the proverb is that of the great controversy between good and evil. In this world where Satan and the forces of evil are always seeking to deceive and mislead humankind, I submit to you that there are areas where the deceiver knows he cannot get us to go or venture into; let’s call that area ‘West.’ What he does then, is get us to go overboard in the opposite or another direction. This proverb is predicated on the fact that the world is round; therefore, If we go an extreme distance away from the danger – East – then we eventually end up in the direction of the said, or other, danger. Just as work supervisors attempting to prevent laziness in employees, push them into overwork or apathy; church leaders becoming so restrictive that they take the joy out of fellowship; parents becoming so protective that they take the fun out of growing up; or me becoming so focused on God that I become naïve about many of life’s realities. I am not advocating toeing the line or staying in the middle of the road. Certainly, as Christians, we sometimes make seemingly illogical decisions and are the odd ones out at times. However, I am simply warning, cautioning, that if the enemy cannot get you to ‘go West’ in Christian living, then be mindful and watchful as he attempts to push you too far ‘East.’
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard that you do not get led astray by the error of these unprincipled men and fall from your firm grasp on the truth. 2 Peter 3:17 – New English Translation
