Temperance Or Self-Control

There have always been individuals who have lacked self-control; who exhibit weak character.  It is personal discipline that builds character.  The word disciple in the Gospels; comes from the Greek word that means student or pupil.  Disciplines are areas of study.  The basic disciplines are reading, writing and arithmetic.  Universities refer to specific areas of study as disciplines.  The modern approach to education over the past twenty years has been interdisciplinary; that is to cover not just in depth, but in breadth and how specific studies intertwine and relate.  Employers today are requiring a college education for most jobs because completing college demonstrates discipline of character.  Constructive extra curricular involvements also show temperance and self-control.  Did a student spend their free time in sports, debate and drama, or in drinking, parties and drugs?

It takes discipline to learn temperance or self-control; this is the quality that is personified by Jesus Christ.  He conquered His flesh.  Being fully God and fully man; it is perfect self-control that makes it impossible for God to sin.  Self-control is at the foundation of God’s righteousness and is what we need to build God’s own character in our lives.  Character is what it is all about; Holy Righteous Godly character; moral excellence and firmness. 

In a world of lax values and standards, it is difficult to fight the flesh; our human weaknesses.  The late renowned conductor, Herbert Von Karajan stated in an interview that he never wasted a single minute of his life.  It is hard not to give in to the flesh. 

Many times it is our lack of preparation that leads to our failure.  Staying up too late; eating too much of the wrong food and consuming alcohol; will bring on sleepiness when we need to be alert.  Jesus’ disciplines could not stay awake for just one hour; they fell asleep in the garden as Jesus prayed.

Matthew 26:40-41 KJV And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  (41)  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Our own flesh is our number one enemy.  Carnal mindedness; living by our flesh; puts us against God.  It fights against us and weakens us.  Once weakened, we can fall prey to the devil.  He is like a roaring lion, seeking to devour.

Romans 8:7 KJV Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Learning self-control and discipline is a valuable character trait to develop.  Employers want workers who come to the job fresh and alert; who show up early and who prepare themselves for productivity.  They are at their post early so that they are doing their work when it is starting time.  A department secretary, who worked in our offices many years ago, would come to work 45 minutes late every day and the first thing she did upon arriving, was to get lost in the ladies room for 15 to 30 minutes. 

Famed coach and legend of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi insisted on his players being to practice 15 minutes early or they were marked as being late.

Self-control, discipline; requires us to not only be on time, but to be ready as well.  It never ceases to amaze me how people will camp out all night long at a ticket office in order to buy seats to the performance of a human celebrity, or to be the first to get a Harry Potter Book.  Most people would give great consideration to their wardrobe if they were meeting with the president of the United States; but to come into the presence of the LORD to worship, they are late and their dress looks like they slept in their clothes.  If we want to be a part of God’s eternal kingdom, then we need to learn now how to conquer our flesh in temperance and self control.