TEMPERANCE IN THE BIBLE – SELF-CONTROL

Temperance in the Bible.

what does temperance mean in the Bible?.

Definition. The biblical meaning of temperance is very relative. We can find him referring to having alcohol withdrawal, as well as integrity. The term in general terms and as expressed in some verses means serenity and self-control.

The term temperance appears in several biblical passages; it is referred to as an example quality to follow, as a virtue that every human being should have, it is considered a condition that allows us to achieve goals in life.

Galatians 5 . “gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law.“

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – Temperance

It is under the control of the Holy Spirit. Temperance or self-control is the inner force that controls our passions and desires. We must walk in the Spirit. If we walk in the flesh, according to our wishes or thoughts, what will arise in the face of temptation or difficulty or aggression will be our fallen nature, our self. It generally offers little resistance.

Temperance or self-control gives us control for decisions. We must exercise self-control with the help of the Holy Spirit. Some care about eating healthy to maintain health, and that is very good since we are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

But read Proverbs 16: 23-24 and James 3: 5-6.

The Word of God says that the tongue is small but boasts of great things and that it contaminates the whole body.

Doctors have proven that a person who speaks or thinks can influence his body because he is sending orders to his central nervous system.

“I’m tired: I don’t have the strength I can’t do anything”, and the nervous centre says: “Yes, it’s true.”

We must retake the Word of God and use its language that is creative, edifying, and victorious.

We need temperance and self-control in:

• The way we think
• The way we eat, talk, manage money, in the use of time. In our attitudes.
• Get up early to seek God.
• To overcome slowness and laziness, to serve God.
• In the way, we dress. Etc.

God chose us and has placed us to bear fruit ( John 15:16 ).

He is the vine and we the branches, we must remain in Him, because apart we can do nothing.

How do we remain in his love?

Keeping the commandments, and there will be joy in our hearts ( John 15: 10-11 ).

By obeying, we remain in his love. God knows that we are not perfect, but in spite of everything he loves us and calls us friends.

Let us be renewed in the Spirit in our mind and put on the new man ( Ephesians 4: 23-24 ).

How does renewal come in my life?

Romans 12.

Let God speak through your mouth, listen through your ears, caress through your hands.

Give your thoughts to God and be charged with His. Return good for evil. Love your brothers respecting them and accepting them as they are, do not argue, do not be wise in your own opinion, “do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good”.

You must be willing to walk “the second mile.” In the face of an offence or provocation we cannot become passive, we must channel our reaction: “instead of a curse, blessing”.

The thoughts that tempt us are like darts burning for the mind. We must extinguish them with the shield of faith. It is not sinning if ideas come, but it is if we fiddle with them, if we bow or if we are attracted to them and if we remain in them.

The thought is the Father of action ( James 1: 13-15 ).

Joseph never thought that he could sin with Potiphar’s wife, so he could keep himself from temptation.

Bearing fruit

• Confess all weakness as sin.
• Ask God to take away his habit ( 1 John 5: 14-15 ).
• Have a life of obedience ( 1 John 5: 3 ).
• Remain in Christ ( Philippians 2:13 ).
• Ask to be filled with the Spirit ( Luke 11:13 ).
• May the word dwell in abundance in our hearts.
• Submit and walk in the Spirit.
• Serve Christ ( Romans 6: 11-13 ).

“Because we all offend many times if anyone does not

offend in word; this is a perfect man,

also able to restrain the whole body”

(James 3: 2)

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,

then peaceful, kind , benign, full of mercy

and good fruits without uncertainty or hypocrisy

and the fruit of justice is sown in peace for

those who make peace.”

(James 3: 17-18)

Biblical passages cited (NIV)

Proverbs 16: 23-24

23 The wise in heart controls his mouth; With his lips, he promotes knowledge.

24 Honeycomb is the kind words: they sweeten life and give health to the body. [A]

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 16:24 to the body. Lit. to the bones.

James 3: 5-6

5 So also the tongue is a tiny member of the body, but it boasts excellent feats. Imagine what a vast forest catches fire with such a little spark! 6 The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil. Being one of our organs, it contaminates the entire body and, ignited by hell, [a] ignites in turn fire throughout life.

Footnotes:

1. James 3: 6, hell. Lit. la Gehenna.

John 15:16

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and commissioned you to go and bear fruit, a fruit that will endure. Thus the Father will give them everything they ask in my name.

John 15: 10-11

10 If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in your love.

11 I have told you this so that you may have my joy, and thus your happiness is complete.

Ephesians 4: 23-24

Twenty-three be renewed in the attitude of your mind; 24 and put on the clothing of the new nature, created in the image of God, in true justice and holiness.

James 1: 13-15

13 Let no one, when tempted, say: “It is God who tempts me.” Because God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. 14 On the contrary, each one is tempted when his evil desires drag him and seduce him. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it begets sin; and sin, once it has been consummated, gives birth to death.

Romans 12

Living sacrifices

1 Therefore, brothers, taking into account the mercy of God, I beg you that each one of you, in spiritual worship, [a] offer his body as a living, holy and pleasing sacrifice to God. 2 Do not conform to today’s world but be transformed by renewing your mind. In this way, they will be able to verify what the will of God is, good, pleasant and perfect.

3 By the grace given to me, I say to all of you: No one has a higher concept of himself than he should have, but rather think of himself in moderation, according to the measure of faith God has given him. 4For just as each one of us has a single body with many members, and not all of these members perform the same function, five we too, being many, form a single body in Christ, and each member is united to all others. 

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If someone’s gift is that of prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; [b] 7 if it is to render a service, let him render it; if he is to teach, let him teach; 8 if it is to encourage others, to encourage them; if it is to help those in need, give generously; if it is to direct, direct with care; If it is to show compassion, let him do it with joy.

Love

9Love must be sincere. Abhor evil; hold on to the good. 10 Love one another with brotherly love, respecting and honouring each other. 11 Never stop being diligent; Rather, serve the Lord with the fervour that the Spirit gives. 12 Rejoice in hope, show patience in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Help the brothers in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

15 Rejoice with those who are glad; Cry with those who cry. 16Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but become supportive of the humble. [C] Do not create the only ones who know.

17 Don’t pay anyone wrong for bad. Try to do good in front of everyone. 18 If possible, and as long as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone. 

19 Do not take revenge, my brothers, but leave the punishment in the hands of God, because it is written: “Mine is revenge; I will pay,” [d] says the Lord. 20 Rather, «If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If you are thirsty, give it a drink. By acting like this, you will make him ashamed of his behaviour.” [E]

21 Do not be overcome by evil; on the contrary, overcome evil with good.

Footnotes:

1. Romans 12: 1 spiritual. Rational Alt.
2. Romans 12: 6 in proportion to their faith. Alt. According to faith.
3. Romans 12:16 become – humble. Alt. Are willing to engage in humble trades.
4. Romans 12:19 Deut 32:35
5. Romans 12:20 you will do – conduct. Lit embers of fire you will pile on his head (Pr 25: 21,22).

1 John 5: 14-15

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that God hears all our prayers, we can be sure that we already have what we have asked for.

1 John 5: 3

3 This is the love of God: that we obey his commandments. And these are not difficult to fulfil,

Philippians 2:13

13 For God is the one who produces in you both the will and the doing so that your goodwill is fulfilled.

Luke 11:13

13 For if you, even being evil, know how to give good things to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask for it!

Romans 6: 11-13

11 In the same way, you also consider yourself dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body nor obey your evil desires. 13 Do not offer your body members to sin as instruments of injustice; on the contrary, offer yourself rather to God as those who have returned from death to life, presenting the members of your body as instruments of justice.