THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – Part 9
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.”
The ninth fruit of the Spirit is temperance.
The word temperance is self-restraint. It is moderation in action. Peter uses it in a list of things that should be in every Christian. 2 Peter 1:5-7, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
The drunkard needs to practice total abstinence. The glutton needs to practice temperance.
A man with a violent temper needs to be temperate (self-control).
Self-control is a good word that should describe the believer in Christ.
Titus 2:9 “Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;” Back-talking is forbidden on the part of the servant with reference to his master. Sometimes the servant has the urge to challenge the wishes of his master. Peter instructs the servant to exercise self-control.
The believer is to exercise self-control in every area of his life.
For the one who says he cannot do it, we need to be reminded that this is a fruit of the Spirit.
We have the Holy Spirit to fill us with His power to be temperate.
May the Lord bless these words to our hearts today!
In Christ,
Bro. White
