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Today’s Opportunity to Grow Toward Christ-Temperance

April 12th, 2011

JOHN SHIRK – Temperance can be described as using restraint with the expression of our thoughts, actions, or feelings.  This character quality surfaces in the form of either moderation or abstinence of certain activities.

Ned Holmgren said, “Temperance means the abstinence from all that is evil, and the moderate use of all that is good.” Just because we can do something does not mean it is beneficial or constructive.

Even good things can become a hindrance to spiritual growth if it becomes too important or violates someone else’s conscience.  Temperance appears in the list of qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in the King James version of the Bible.  Other translations use the word “self-control” instead.  With temperance, we are careful not to be sidetracked by anything that threatens to derail us from doing God’s will.  The overindulgence of alcohol, food, sports activities, or computer-time can have a negative effect on our well-being and hinder the development of healthy relationships. Temperance challenges us to make time for different activities under the sun, and for those activities to bring glory to God.

Temperance is a character quality that enables us to represent Jesus in the world today.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

 




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