Temperance in all things

It was the morning of my flight from Vienna to Philadelphia. When I fly west, I try to eat only a small breakfast since food will be served on the airplane throughout the day. On this day I intended to eat just a small bowl of muesli to hold me over. But alas, the hotel in which I was staying had an amazing breakfast buffet. And I enjoyed every bite of it.

I was attempting moderation with my plans for eating muesli. But my attempt failed because I was pursuing moderation without self-control (temperance). Self control must occur before moderation can happen. Paul refers to the importance of temperance when he said, And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV)

Paul’s reference to temperance would best be rendered as “wholly self-controlled” or “entirely self-disciplined”. “Self-discipline” can not be seen, but the life resulting from self-discipline can be. Every area of my life is impacted by this need for temperance. Paul instructed Timothy,

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:6-8)

According to Paul God has given me the spirit of self-discipline.

The question is, “Will I accept the gift?” Will you join me in accepting His gift?

Sharing the journey with you,