“Temperance” is also translated as “self-control.” Self-control covers every area of our lives. In this age of affluence in America, self-control is a real struggle, even, or especially for Christians. After all, there is so much to buy and to consume. However the Holy Spirit in our lives reminds us that we need to be temperate in all of life. We will consider three facets of temperance in this article: Discipline, mastery and servanthood.
Discipline Without discipline we will not control ourselves. Paul realized the value of discipline when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:27: “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Obviously, the Holy Spirit convicted Paul of this need to stay in control. When we lack discipline in any area of our lives we stand the chance of rendering ourselves useless as witnesses for Christ. Discipline might seem like a negative thing in our free-wheeling society, but it is positive when we realize its value in our lives. With it we control our habits, tongues, bodies, time, etc. Mastery The Holy Spirit enables us to master ourselves as we serve the Master. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things…” This is a reference to foot racing. It is impossible to excel in foot racing without mastering oneself. It is also impossible to excel in Christian living without mastering ourselves under the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We need to constantly look at our lives and see if there are areas that are mastering us instead of our mastering them. Servanthood Until the Holy Spirit controls our lives, and until we practice self-control under His leadership, we will not be the servants of Jesus that we could be. David was sidetracked by a moment of intemperance when he committed adultery with Bathsheba. Moses was sidetracked by a moment of intemperance when he killed the Egyptian who was mistreating one of the Israelites. Peter was sidetracked by a moment of intemperance when he denied knowing Jesus. All of us could probably recount times when we gave in to intemperance. Thank God that Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us master ourselves while we serve Him. The world needs to see the servants of Christ living up to that great name. It takes real discipline and real mastery over self to be effective servants of Jesus. All great servants of God have been temperate people. Like us, they probably had moments of intemperance, but the balance of their lives was heavily weighted toward self-control. The reason for this is that they were led by the Spirit of God instead of by the world. “Go thou and do likewise…” Bro. Joe
1 Comment
Linda Brooks
8/18/2016 07:32:38 pm
After reading this, I have a case of indigestion.....Maybe when I read it a few more times, I will BEGIN to digest it !! Thank You AGAIN !!!
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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