.-= Brianna´s last blog ..Third Times the Charm =-.
The Bible tells us to:
Philippians 4:5
“ Let everyone see how reasonable and gentle you are. The Lord is near!“
We are to make sure that we are level in what we believe, do, say, eat, etc and have self-control while staying level. Everything we do should be done with self-control! It is very important to have that in your life. Another word for Self-Control is:
TEM’PERANCE, n. [L. temperantia, from tempero.] 1. Moderation or self-restraint in action, statement, etc.; self-control. 2. Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion.
Temperance is moderation and self-control and it is also a fruit of having God’s holy spirit in your life. We all know we need self-control in our lives… some more than others! 
Most of the time temperance is said in reference to eating and drinking, but the Bible talks about temperance as something spiritual.
Galatians 5:22-24
“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.“
When I studied Meekness, I found how all the different fruit of the Spirit are pretty much the same thing. Temperance is like that too. It has it’s own character, but it incorporates Patience with it. Temperance is basically moderation and self-control with patience. If we think about it, it takes patience to have self-control and be moderate in things.
I think having temperance is something that gets overlooked in our lives. Honestly, I couldn’t figure out what temperance was for a while. I know now and I know that it is something I need to work on in my life. There are things I could moderate better than I do. It will probably be hard to moderate things because we just want to do what we want to do. We need to understand though that God wants us to do things with temperance and we just need to do it.
Temperance can be a bridle for our flesh. Since its a fruit of the Spirit, temperance can help us pull back our flesh nature, so that we can be more patient, more moderate and have better self-control through the Holy Spirit.
If we look at our lives, I am sure we can all find something that need to be moderated better; something that needs to be controlled more. Maybe its moderating work and play, or computer time, or reading, or tv/movies, etc. Everything in our lives needs to be done in moderation. As we grow in the Lord more, and the Spirit bears the fruit in us, then everything will come together. We will have temperance in our lives, and things will be moderated the way they should be. Temperance is being able to moderate with patience through the Holy Spirit. The self-control aspect of it is to let God be in control. As a human, I will error in my ways, and I know I don’t have very good self-control, but through God I know I can handle anything that comes my way and be able to overcome it. That is where we will be able to have temperance enough to do everything in a Godly moderation.
This week, make a list of things you do and estimate how much time you do them. Pray and seek God to see if He would have you change the way you do some things.
It is encouraging to me when I find something that I know I can work on better in my life. I want to be all and everything God created me to be and when I find something that I am convicted to do better or change in my life, I am very glad that God opened my eyes to it.
I was so encouraged too by what Peter tells us that needs to happen when we have temperance in our lives:
2 Peter 1:5-7
“For this very reason, try your hardest to furnish your faith with goodness, goodness with knowledge, knowledge with self-control, self-control with perseverance, perseverance with godliness, godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.“
We are to add to temperance so that our example of having the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives and of being a sinner saved through Christ will not return void! I want my example of having the Spirit in my life to shine for everyone to see and for it to bear good fruit in others!
Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit,
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June 24th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I agree wholeheartedly. Temperance is one of the most important virtues to strive after. Even as far back as ancient Greece, Plato realized that moderation was one of the keys to life. How awesome is it that the Holy Spirit gives us the extra boost we need to be self-controlled and alert. Thanks for the great blog!
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June 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
What an apropos topic! Thanks for the wonderful insight! And what a great practical idea, to write down what we do and how much time we spend. We do that with money, why not our time! I heard once that we should look at our datebook/to do lists/schedule and then we will see where our priorities are- so true!
And, btw, now Keegan wants a Lego cake for his next birthday!
Leslies last article is trust in ADONAI: wfw
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June 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
Wow! Thank you for this post! It really struck a cord with me. God works in the best ways, and I really needed someone to remind me of this (and at this very moment too). Thanks for allowing God to work through you!
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June 24th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Great Post, and thank you of posting pictures of my little Buddy. Gosh, you can not believe how much I miss that little guy. :–(
Mrs. Lirette
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June 24th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
aww! he misses you too! we all do!
Hope to see you again soon! love you!
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June 24th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Great article, I really enjoyed it. I think that’s something we all need to work on.
Thanks for sharing!
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June 24th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Temperance is definitely important. This was a great article and a reminder to keep everything in moderation (well, except for God, of course).
That lego cake is cute. It certainly turned out well.
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June 25th, 2009 at 1:01 am
Thank you for posting that. I can see some areas in my life that I need to practice self control in. Sometimes it is not easy but with Gods help we can do anything!!!
Briana
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June 25th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Hi Miss Amanda,
I needed this post.
I do have things in my life that God is showing me.
As we all do.
Also, I read your post on `Why you like Superman`.
I was surprised at some of your findings, not just about Superman, on the others also.
Thanks for posting,
Joyful@JoyfulJourney
Joyfuls last article is Dedicated to the Chapman Family
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June 25th, 2009 at 11:51 am
How appropriate and just like our Father to have prepared our family to study each the Fruit of the Spirit last year through GGM. Ironic that we now need each of them as we walk in leaving that chapter of our lives.
The Lord, Yehovah, certainly knows and has ways higher than our understanding.
I am glad you studied this. You did a great job! Thank you for sharing it.
Love you, Mom
Mamas last article is Don’t Let the CRC Take Our Freedoms!
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June 26th, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Amen, Mrs. D!!! How lofty is Yehovah’s plans for us!!
Miss Torias last article is SPECIAL ALERT!
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June 25th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Wowee, that was a great post!!! Soooo true and temperance is something I soooooooooo need to work on! Thanks! Love you!!!
Alexandras last article is North and South Trailer…
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June 26th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Yahooo!! He’s finally 4…and not 6. lol!! Love that little dude…he’s awesome. -_^ So are all the rest of the Dixon’s. ^_^
Way neat-o cake, too!! Did Rachel make it?
HUGS!!
Miss Torias last article is SPECIAL ALERT!
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June 27th, 2009 at 11:24 am
Love the red lips & the Lego cake that I think Jocelyn made!
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June 27th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Love your essay, Amanda. Good job! Lots of good thoughts there! I take it your brother had a birthday as well?
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June 29th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Awesome post Amanda! I am continually working on pleasing the Lord by having a life that exudes the fruit of the Spirit!
I sure miss you all….what an awesome time that was celebrating with the lil buddy and your dad!
Hugs to all,
Love you,
Aunt jen
Aunt Jens last article is Simple Woman’s Daybook #12
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