40 Days Pondering the Fruit of the Spirit
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 10 | TEMPERANCE
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 10 | TEMPERANCE
TEMPERANCE
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (KJV)
The King James Bible calls this fruit “temperance,” whereas most modern translations use the term: “self-control.” The term implies self-restraint instead of someone who is "out of control."
Have you ever run into someone who was out of control? I'm sure you have, and it's not usually a pretty picture. In times like that, it seems no one can settle the person down or get them to think logically. The emotions explode and take over their bodies, the opposite of “self-control.”
The dictionary definition of "temperance" includes: "moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression." (American Heritage Dictionary).
The Spirit-filled follower of Jesus should naturally lean in on being "temperate." They should demonstrate having control over one's thoughts and actions with the ability to say “YES” to things that are good and “NO” to things that are not good. This should extend to every area of life, including the words we say, the things we read and listen to, what we watch on television, our thoughts, our eating, etc.
Other words and terms related to "temperance" are: control, restraint, discipline, self-command, self-mastery, etc. On the other hand, antonyms include greed, hedonism, excessiveness, and self-indulgence.
So, consider, how did yesterday go for you? How much "self-restraint" did you demonstrate? How much moderation? Did all the things you watched, listened to, or said yesterday pass the “self-control test”?
Like many of the fruit, this one can be ignored – or messed up – without much thought being given. We often don't have a "watchdog" in our lives to say something or speak up if we stop letting the Holy Spirit display His fruit (such as temperance/self-control) daily.
Prayer: LORD, I admit that I don't always show self-control in my life. I know with the Spirit inside of me, it is possible. So please lead me. Amen.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (KJV)
The King James Bible calls this fruit “temperance,” whereas most modern translations use the term: “self-control.” The term implies self-restraint instead of someone who is "out of control."
Have you ever run into someone who was out of control? I'm sure you have, and it's not usually a pretty picture. In times like that, it seems no one can settle the person down or get them to think logically. The emotions explode and take over their bodies, the opposite of “self-control.”
The dictionary definition of "temperance" includes: "moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression." (American Heritage Dictionary).
The Spirit-filled follower of Jesus should naturally lean in on being "temperate." They should demonstrate having control over one's thoughts and actions with the ability to say “YES” to things that are good and “NO” to things that are not good. This should extend to every area of life, including the words we say, the things we read and listen to, what we watch on television, our thoughts, our eating, etc.
Other words and terms related to "temperance" are: control, restraint, discipline, self-command, self-mastery, etc. On the other hand, antonyms include greed, hedonism, excessiveness, and self-indulgence.
So, consider, how did yesterday go for you? How much "self-restraint" did you demonstrate? How much moderation? Did all the things you watched, listened to, or said yesterday pass the “self-control test”?
Like many of the fruit, this one can be ignored – or messed up – without much thought being given. We often don't have a "watchdog" in our lives to say something or speak up if we stop letting the Holy Spirit display His fruit (such as temperance/self-control) daily.
Prayer: LORD, I admit that I don't always show self-control in my life. I know with the Spirit inside of me, it is possible. So please lead me. Amen.
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