The Fruit of the Spirit is...Temperance
Gal. 5:23
Intro: Temperance (enkrateia) from kratos- strength; strength within one’s being; self control; self rule. A very important part of the Christian life is temperance; self control. The fact is, we have not only an enemy from without (Satan) we also have an enemy within (Self). Jer. 17:9 said that the "heart (inner most being of man) is deceitful above all things."
When a person is lost, unsaved, their spirit and soul are controlled by Satan, sin, the sinful human nature, and the flesh. When we become Christians we are saved, redeemed, regenerated, and born again. God’s Spirit moves into our spirit and works to influence and control our life.
Still, we must exercise Self Control as led by and empowered the Spirit of God. The Holy Ghost will not- Cannot- override our own sovereign rule, our decisions, our choices, our actions, our Life. It is VITAL that we Practice Self Control= Temperance. What does that mean in real life?
I. Moderation.
The life of temperance will be a life of Moderation- not driven to extremes in ANY direction- BALANCE! Not a life that is irrational or impulsive; Like a Yo-Yo: Up and Down- usually Down fast- Up slow- spends a lot of time "at the end of my rope."
Oh, that we would allow the Holy Ghost to bear the fruit of Temperance in our lives!- The fruit of moderation- balance.
When it comes to money, some are so tight that Lincoln cries out in pain; then some become uncontrolled in their spending and debt.
When it comes to parenting, some are so harsh their discipline becomes abuse. Then they sometimes go to the other extreme where their children do whatever they want while mom and dad wring their hands in powerless frustration.
So in the Christian Life:
In regard to doctrine, some go from being so strict that no one they know is living right & going to heaven to the other extreme where no one they know is living wrong and headed for hell. Some go from being so dogmatic about what they believe that they won’t even have anything to do someone who does not agree, to the other extreme where they leave what they have been faithfully taught and have personally experienced and follow someone’s "new and improved ideas" about God, the Bible, and the Christian life.
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
There are Christians who go from the Mountain top of Victory on Sunday to the Pits of Despair on Monday or Tuesday.
One day they are praying- the next they’re not praying.
One day they’re singing- the next they won’t sing.
One week they are faithful to church- the next week they aren’t coming anymore.
Their life is like the pendulum on a clock; swinging from one extreme to another.
Listen friend, you life needs Moderation, balance, steadfastness.
II. Mastery.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Part of temperance, self Control is mastery of self: mastery of self’s thoughts, self’s desires, self’s attitude, self’s actions. Where one is not controlled by the words or actions of others and not controlled by the circumstances they are facing. Remember the Yo-Yo? It only
moves when an outside force pulls the string. We must be FAITHFUL- constant- consistent- steadfast- unmoved by opposition or affliction.
Acts 20:24- None of these things move me- neither count I my life dear unto myself so that I might Finish my course with Joy.
We cannot be controlled by the Flesh- the devil- the world (its fads, its fashions, its values, its priorities, its glamor and glitz). We cannot be controlled by other’s opinions, by peer pressure, by the persuasion of co workers or friends, by the coercion of a boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, parent, or child.
I know about Biblical principles of authority. I know about spiritual authority, marital authority, parental authority and civil authority. I also know that God’s authority supercedes ALL other authority so that a time may come when we must take our stand and say like Peter to the Jewish council, "We ought to obey God rather than man."
If you’re going to put pressure on me to do something that is morally, biblically, or spiritually wrong, I am going to practice temperance; mastery over my decisions- mastery over my choices- mastery over my actions.
When Paul preached to Felix he reasoned with him about Righteousness, Temperance, and Judgement, and the Bible records that Felix trembled. Notice the order of Paul’s subjects:
1) Righteousness- (living right in the sight of God; holiness & purity)- 2) Temperance (taking control of Self’s- passions, desires, thoughts, actions)and 3) Judgment (giving account to God concerning righteousness and temperance.( Did you live holy before the Lord? Did you keep yourself under the control of the Spirit of God? You and I will answer to God on both counts.)
Stability in the Christian Life is very important, we cannot be controlled by everyone and everything else. Jacob told Rueben that he was unstable like water and would not excel. Water is controlled by the conditions around it. In the Cold it freezes; On the Heat it boils. Water also conforms to its surroundings: put it in a round bowl and it takes on a round shape. Pour it into square pan it assumes a square shape. May God help us to bear the fruit of Temperance.
III. Maturity.
Temperance requires growth; even in human life. We must grow and learn concerning self control. (Potty training- emotions- temper- pouting- fighting....) So in the Christian life Temperance is sign of Maturity. We are not to be childish; child LIKE, yes; Childish, no) When on is childish he is easily offended and often angered. He is frustrated by petty jealousy and envy; living with a chip on his shoulder; suffering from a "persecution syndrome," or "spiritual paranoia," where every imaginary slight, every groundless, trifling incident is made a fresh occasion of trouble, worry, and division.
2 Peter 1:5,6 says that we are to add to our Faith, Virtue- then Knowledge- then Temperance. This says to me that Knowledge, Growth, and Maturity are important to achieving temperance, self control. Paul said we should be "No more children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine... But GROW up into Him in all things, Even Christ."
As we Grow Up- we will live in temperance: Not paralyzed by fear; Not consumed with jealousy; Not hateful to others; Not hostile and angry; but manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit.
Proverbs 16:32- "he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city."
(The one who conquers himself is greater than one who conquers others)
Pro. 25:28- "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down & without walls." (The one who does not conquer himself is doomed to be conquered by other forces)
Gal. 5:23
Intro: Temperance (enkrateia) from kratos- strength; strength within one’s being; self control; self rule. A very important part of the Christian life is temperance; self control. The fact is, we have not only an enemy from without (Satan) we also have an enemy within (Self). Jer. 17:9 said that the "heart (inner most being of man) is deceitful above all things."
When a person is lost, unsaved, their spirit and soul are controlled by Satan, sin, the sinful human nature, and the flesh. When we become Christians we are saved, redeemed, regenerated, and born again. God’s Spirit moves into our spirit and works to influence and control our life.
Still, we must exercise Self Control as led by and empowered the Spirit of God. The Holy Ghost will not- Cannot- override our own sovereign rule, our decisions, our choices, our actions, our Life. It is VITAL that we Practice Self Control= Temperance. What does that mean in real life?
I. Moderation.
The life of temperance will be a life of Moderation- not driven to extremes in ANY direction- BALANCE! Not a life that is irrational or impulsive; Like a Yo-Yo: Up and Down- usually Down fast- Up slow- spends a lot of time "at the end of my rope."
Oh, that we would allow the Holy Ghost to bear the fruit of Temperance in our lives!- The fruit of moderation- balance.
When it comes to money, some are so tight that Lincoln cries out in pain; then some become uncontrolled in their spending and debt.
When it comes to parenting, some are so harsh their discipline becomes abuse. Then they sometimes go to the other extreme where their children do whatever they want while mom and dad wring their hands in powerless frustration.
So in the Christian Life:
In regard to doctrine, some go from being so strict that no one they know is living right & going to heaven to the other extreme where no one they know is living wrong and headed for hell. Some go from being so dogmatic about what they believe that they won’t even have anything to do someone who does not agree, to the other extreme where they leave what they have been faithfully taught and have personally experienced and follow someone’s "new and improved ideas" about God, the Bible, and the Christian life.
Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
There are Christians who go from the Mountain top of Victory on Sunday to the Pits of Despair on Monday or Tuesday.
One day they are praying- the next they’re not praying.
One day they’re singing- the next they won’t sing.
One week they are faithful to church- the next week they aren’t coming anymore.
Their life is like the pendulum on a clock; swinging from one extreme to another.
Listen friend, you life needs Moderation, balance, steadfastness.
II. Mastery.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Part of temperance, self Control is mastery of self: mastery of self’s thoughts, self’s desires, self’s attitude, self’s actions. Where one is not controlled by the words or actions of others and not controlled by the circumstances they are facing. Remember the Yo-Yo? It only
moves when an outside force pulls the string. We must be FAITHFUL- constant- consistent- steadfast- unmoved by opposition or affliction.
Acts 20:24- None of these things move me- neither count I my life dear unto myself so that I might Finish my course with Joy.
We cannot be controlled by the Flesh- the devil- the world (its fads, its fashions, its values, its priorities, its glamor and glitz). We cannot be controlled by other’s opinions, by peer pressure, by the persuasion of co workers or friends, by the coercion of a boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, parent, or child.
I know about Biblical principles of authority. I know about spiritual authority, marital authority, parental authority and civil authority. I also know that God’s authority supercedes ALL other authority so that a time may come when we must take our stand and say like Peter to the Jewish council, "We ought to obey God rather than man."
If you’re going to put pressure on me to do something that is morally, biblically, or spiritually wrong, I am going to practice temperance; mastery over my decisions- mastery over my choices- mastery over my actions.
When Paul preached to Felix he reasoned with him about Righteousness, Temperance, and Judgement, and the Bible records that Felix trembled. Notice the order of Paul’s subjects:
1) Righteousness- (living right in the sight of God; holiness & purity)- 2) Temperance (taking control of Self’s- passions, desires, thoughts, actions)and 3) Judgment (giving account to God concerning righteousness and temperance.( Did you live holy before the Lord? Did you keep yourself under the control of the Spirit of God? You and I will answer to God on both counts.)
Stability in the Christian Life is very important, we cannot be controlled by everyone and everything else. Jacob told Rueben that he was unstable like water and would not excel. Water is controlled by the conditions around it. In the Cold it freezes; On the Heat it boils. Water also conforms to its surroundings: put it in a round bowl and it takes on a round shape. Pour it into square pan it assumes a square shape. May God help us to bear the fruit of Temperance.
III. Maturity.
Temperance requires growth; even in human life. We must grow and learn concerning self control. (Potty training- emotions- temper- pouting- fighting....) So in the Christian life Temperance is sign of Maturity. We are not to be childish; child LIKE, yes; Childish, no) When on is childish he is easily offended and often angered. He is frustrated by petty jealousy and envy; living with a chip on his shoulder; suffering from a "persecution syndrome," or "spiritual paranoia," where every imaginary slight, every groundless, trifling incident is made a fresh occasion of trouble, worry, and division.
2 Peter 1:5,6 says that we are to add to our Faith, Virtue- then Knowledge- then Temperance. This says to me that Knowledge, Growth, and Maturity are important to achieving temperance, self control. Paul said we should be "No more children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine... But GROW up into Him in all things, Even Christ."
As we Grow Up- we will live in temperance: Not paralyzed by fear; Not consumed with jealousy; Not hateful to others; Not hostile and angry; but manifesting the Fruit of the Spirit.
Proverbs 16:32- "he that ruleth his spirit is better than he that taketh a city."
(The one who conquers himself is greater than one who conquers others)
Pro. 25:28- "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down & without walls." (The one who does not conquer himself is doomed to be conquered by other forces)
posted by Junction Hill Pentecostal Church | 4:24 PM
