Temperance
Something about temperance by one writer (Thayer) explained it as “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites”. Another writer (Macknight) added: “Where this virtue (temperance) subsists, temptation can have little influence.”
Temperance causes us to be so focused on God that our mind doesn’t even care about any of the sinful things, but since you still face temptations, you stay strong through daily prayer so that temperance through the Holy Ghost keeps you on track.
Here are some examples of temperance displayed: Joseph and Jesus. 1. Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, but did not give in. He fled the temptation.
[Genesis 39:6-12] And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
2. Even JESUS was tempted, BUT He overcame.
[Matthew 4:1] Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.[2] And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.[3] And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
These are true stories about real flesh and blood people in the Bible that were tempted and overcame temptation again and again. Jacob was tempted daily (“day by day”) by this woman. When the temptation got more than he could bear, he ran. What a lesson for us all. If you’re tempted beyond what you can bear, get yourself away from that temptation. The devil tempted the very Son of God, so he will definitely tempt us, too. Jesus used the Word of God on him, though, and we can do that, too.
We each get tempted every single day with different things: drugs, alcohol, sex, sinful television shows, inappropriate magazines, bad video games, unfit books, and revealing websites. The devil KNOWS the things that are common temptations for most of us. He uses those to try to get us to slide back into a sinful lifestyle. It’s like a roof on a house. The roof is pretty good but there is just a tiny little hole in it. For awhile you think its no big deal. You probably don’t even notice it, but when the rain falls, you realize that the little hole still lets rain fall down into the house. No one wants wet carpet so you better patch up the hole. That is just like our lives. We can have everything right in our lives but one little part of the world you just can’t let go. That tiny little hole in your life is going to let sin fall right in. You better patch it up before the storm comes. Even so, Satan is going to continue to tempt you; however, by havingtemperance (self-control), you can control your thoughts, actions, and even emotions.
Have you ever heard of being sanctified and wondered what it really means? When Jesus sanctifies us, He takes away the WANT to sin. Just because we are saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost, does NOT mean we won’t be tempted, though. Temperance helps to WITHSTAND the temptation to give in to sin.
[Philippians 4:13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
-[Destiny Turner]
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