THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: TEMPERANCE!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: TEMPERANCE!

Gal 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

          We come now to that final piece of spiritual fruit which is temperance. The word conjures up visions of women in old fashioned dress marching with placards against alcohol. But temperance is more than a passion against the use of alcohol. Temperance, according to Merriam – Webster, is “habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites or passions.”  The Greek word is egkrateia and it means “self control.” Some of the original manuscripts add the word chastity but the idea is the control of animal passions.

          Certainly the passions of our culture are out of control. Even the government feels the need to help us control our intake of calories by limiting the size of our soft drinks. Everything is supersized including ourselves but the answer is not government intervention. What we need is the power of the Holy Spirit.

          The man who is temperate will excel in self government. He will not only abstain from strong drink but from all other forms of excess including his temper and his tongue. Is it any wonder that this virtue is mentioned last? It has to be the most difficult area of our lives to yield to the Holy Spirit’s control. I’m sure that Paul had this in mind when he wrote Romans chapter 12 and First Corinthians 9.

Rom 12:1-2

1 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 service.

2 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.

1 Cor 9:27

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Dear Lord, I do not feel very successful at controlling my passions. I desperately need your help today. Let thy Holy Spirit be strong within me. AMEN