Temperance Defined
Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Proverbs 25:28
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
I Corinthians 9:27
And they lodged round about the house of God, because the charge was upon them, and the opening thereof every morning pertained to them.
Necessity of Temperance for the Christian
Ephesians 4:22
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
James 1:14
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
I Peter 2:11
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
Luke 9:23
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
I Corinthians 6:12
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
2 Peter 1:5-6
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Titus 1:7-8
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
Titus 2:2
That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
Romans 13:14
But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
I Corinthians 13:7
Charity...Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Philippians 4:5
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Importance of Temperance in Inner Thoughts
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Psalm 139:2,4
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Temperance in Emotions
Proverbs 16:32
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
Biblical Examples of Temperance
Daniel not eating the kings meat
Daniel 1:8-15
Quotes
Self-control for the Christian means that my "self," my whole person, my whole being, body, soul, spirit comes under the cotnrol of Christ. It meanse that I am an individual governed by God. My entire life, every aspect of it - whether spritual, moral or physical - has become subject to teh sovereignty of God's Spirit. I am a "man under authority."
~W. Phillip Keller~
The person without self-control is easy prey to the invader. He yeilds himself to the first assault of his ungoverned passions, offering no resistance...Having no discipline over himself, temptation becomes the occasion of sin, and hurries him on to fearful lengths that he had not contemplated.
~Charles Bridges~
...the ability to avoid excesses, to stay within reasonable bounds.
~D.G. Kehl~
...the healthful regulation of our desires and appetites, preventing their excess.
~Bethune~
Self-control is the exercise of inner strength under the direction of sound judgment that enables us to do, thin, and say the things that are pleasing to God.
~Jerry Bridges~
Essay
What's Next To Do?
~Oswald Chambers~