FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
“But the fruit of
the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
The ninth and final attribute is:
9. Temperance
What is Temperance?
It is behaving well and having control over oneself. In other words, self-control. It
is through Temperance that we are able to discipline our bodies and spirits to glorify God and receive His rewards.
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all,
but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25a) Temperance (self-control) is our defense against our sinful desires
that wage war against our soul. A person without Temperance is a person who is an easy prey (victim)
for the enemy.
Temperance involves control over three areas:
thoughts, emotions and speech. I want to concentrate on one specific area this time, our thoughts.
The Bible tells us that we should be renewed in the spirit of our minds. (Ephesians 4:23)
But how is that accomplished? Having a temperate mind means only entertaining or owning thoughts
that are acceptable to God. What thoughts are acceptable to God? “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things
are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever thing are of good report; if there be any virtue and if there be any praise,
think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Self-control of our thoughts
(lust, greed, envy or selfish ambition) is more than just refusing to admit those sinful thoughts in our minds.
It involves focuses our mind on godly things. We must become diligent about doing godly things in
our lives. Like praying, studying the Bible, going to church vs. staying in bed, watching TV or running
the streets. We cannot be double minded trying to serve two masters. (James 1:8) Either
you’re with Him or Not! Our thoughts and imaginations must be under the submission of the Holy Spirit.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
(2 Corinthians 10:5) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Temperance is an inner strength (Spirit
of God living inside of us) that enables us to control all of our fleshly passions and desires. Temperance
also indicates soundness of mind/judgment which will enable us to control our appetites, desires, thoughts and emotions.
The Holy Spirit will help us to determine what we need to do and how we should respond to all situations.
So many times we know what to do, but we choose not to do it. And then we wonder why we end up in
the situations that we are in. So, often we want to blame the devil. “The devil
made me do it!” or We say, “God is taking me through!” But it was
neither one that got us into the those ungodly situations, it was our own fault. (Romans 7:15-20)
All sinful actions begin with a thought.
The Bible says in Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinketh
in his heart, so is he:” and in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications,
thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” If
we think on ungodly things too long, we will take ownership of that thought and then act upon it. Those
ungodly thoughts can originate from ourselves, the devil or someone else. Have you seen the movie “Inception”?!
We must learn to control all impure thoughts so that we do not act them out. Remember our ungodly
thoughts are entertained in the mind long before they are enjoyed in reality. So, it is paramount that
we control our thought life because it is the first defense in this spiritual battle that we‘re in.
If we truly love the Lord and reverence Him,
we will exercise Temperance. Not because of what other people may think, but because we are concerned
about what God thinks. (Psalm 139) We must be careful about what or whom we allow into
our lives. The eyes and the ears are a gateway to our minds. So, if we are listening
to gossip, slander and criticism, don’t be surprised that you have a negative attitude towards others. Have
you ever been around someone who is so unhappy with their life that they will continuously put others down to make themselves
look and feel better? If you know and talk with this kind of person, STOP!!! Run Away!!!
Or maybe you are that person?!! Remember misery loves company.
To win this battle, we must say no to those thoughts
and influencers when they try to get our focus off of God. Cut out the negativity from your life.
(That includes people too!) Don’t let it or them linger! Pray and ask God
to work in you the capacity and the ability to overcome. (Philippians 2:13) Living a
temperate life can only be accomplished through surrender and obedience to God’s will and not our own.
We must break our bad habits and replace them with godly ones. When we learn to bring our thought
life under the submission of the Holy Spirit, we will experience true freedom and victory in our lives. And
then God will be glorified!
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Next time, Do you want to become a “Water Walker”?
