The Virtue of Temperance - 05/09/2021
Greetings in His Name,
This week we move forward with our discussion of the virtues of faith that help us as we grow toward spiritual maturity. We have talked about the virtues of gratitude and patience and this week we talk about the virtue of temperance.
Temperance is a word we don't likely use very often...it can also be defined as moderation in action, thought or feeling. Self-control is the Fruit of the Spirit that aligns with temperance.
Contrarily, lacking self-control or being in habitual greed or excess can be defined as gluttony. A sin that is sneaky and deadly if not brought forward to God. Ultimately the sin of gluttony turns us toward sin and can lead into idolatry...away from God.
Even by defining temperance as self-control, it is not actually something we can do within our selves. It is a Fruit of the Holy Spirit and without Him, we cannot exercise temperance as we seek spiritual maturity.
In Paul's letter to the Galatians, he writes "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Gal 5:25)
Diligence to prayer, scripture and seeking His work within our hearts are ways we walk by the Spirit. It is how our hearts turn to Him and that is the most important way to show Him our love, with our hearts.
Be blessed this week as you seek Him to exercise temperance in your daily living.
Here is the link to this week's message:
Pastor Jeremy
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