Dear brothers and sisters, today we delve into the important topic of temperance. Temperance is essential for a balanced and godly life. It is the practice of self-control and moderation in all aspects of life. As believers, we are called to live in a way that reflects the character of Christ, and temperance is a significant part of that calling.
Temperance means having control over our desires and actions. It is about making choices that honor God and demonstrate our commitment to following His ways. This does not mean that we deny ourselves every pleasure, but rather that we exercise wisdom and restraint. For instance, we should enjoy food and drink, but not to the point of gluttony or drunkenness. We should work hard, but also find time to rest and spend with family and God.
In the Bible, we find many examples of temperance. One such example is Daniel, who refused to defile himself with the king’s food and wine. Instead, he chose to eat vegetables and drink water, demonstrating his commitment to God’s standards. His temperance was rewarded with good health and favor from God. Another example is Joseph, who resisted the advances of Potiphar’s wife. Despite the temptation, Joseph remained self-controlled and faithful to God, which ultimately led to his rise to power in Egypt.
Temperance is also about controlling our speech and emotions. The book of Proverbs reminds us that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. By exercising self-control in our words, we can promote peace and understanding. Similarly, we are called to manage our anger and not let it lead us to sin. This requires patience and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As followers of Christ, we must seek His strength to practice temperance in our daily lives. It is not always easy, but through prayer and reliance on God’s Word, we can develop this virtue. Remember, dear friends, that temperance is a fruit of the Spirit. As we grow in our relationship with God, the Holy Spirit will help us to live temperate lives that bring glory to Him.
Dear friends, now let’s see the Bible scriptures below that talk about temperance.
“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, godly, in this present world”
— Titus 2:12
“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction”
— Proverbs 13:3
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things”
— Proverbs 15:28
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”
— Proverbs 16:32
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; it is his glory to pass over a transgression”
— Proverbs 19:11
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise”
— Proverbs 20:1
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine oil shall not be rich”
— Proverbs 21:17
“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of fleshFor the drunkard the glutton shall come to poverty: drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags”
— Proverbs 23:20-21
“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, without walls”
— Proverbs 25:28
“He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat”
— Proverbs 28:25
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drinkLest they drink, forget the law, pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted”
— Proverbs 31:4-5
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”
— Proverbs 4:23
“Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
— Philippians 3:19
“Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand”
— Philippians 4:5
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable serviceAnd be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, perfect, will of God”
— Romans 12:1-2
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”
— Romans 12:19
“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting drunkenness, not in chambering wantonness, not in strife envyingBut put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof”
— Romans 13:13-14
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost”
— Romans 15:13
“Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereofNeither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, your members as instruments of righteousness unto God”
— Romans 6:12-13
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find notFor the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I doNow if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me”
— Romans 7:18-20
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live”
— Romans 8:13
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, covetousness, which is idolatry”
— Colossians 3:5
“Be ye angry, sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrathNeither give place to the devil”
— Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”
— Ephesians 5:18
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrathFor the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God”
— James 1:19-20
“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body”
— James 3:2
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, the sin which doth so easily beset us, let us run with patience the race that is set before us”
— Hebrews 12:1
“Watch pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”
— Matthew 26:41
“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; quicken thou me in thy way”
— Psalm 119:37
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools”
— Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, eat ye that which is good, let your soul delight itself in fatness”
— Isaiah 55:2
“Take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, drunkenness, cares of this life, so that day come upon you unawares”
— Luke 21:34
“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 everlastingAnd let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”
— Galatians 6:8-9