Temperance

TEM'PER, verb transitive [Latin tempero, to mix or moderate] (the root word of temperance)

1. To mix so that one part qualifies the other; to bring to a moderate state; as, to temper justice with mercy.

2. To compound; to form by mixture; to qualify, as by an ingredient; or in general, to mix, unite or combine two or more things so as to reduce the excess of the qualities of either, and bring the whole to the desired consistence or state.

3. To unite in due proportion; to render symmetrical; to adjust, as parts to each other.

4. To accommodate; to modify.

5. To soften; to mollify; to assuage; to soothe; to calm; to reduce any violence or excess.

6. To form to a proper degree of hardness; as, to temper iron or steel.

7. To govern; a Latinism. [Not in use.]

8. In music, to modify or amend a false or imperfect concord by transferring to it a part of the beauty of a perfect one, that is, by dividing the tones.

TEM'PERANCE, noun [Latin temperantia, from tempero.]

1. Moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.

2. Patience; calmness; sedateness; moderation of passion.

Neal Frisby, Fruits of the Spirt Series, 1977

The Lord Jesus Christ is purifying and cleansing his body of believers to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Through the wilderness experience we are tempered, forged and strengthened and brought to the Lord's desired state; unified not with each other, but with the Lord's Word and Spirit.

Temperance deals with self-denial, putting the Lord first above our own desires. Living a balanced life, sacrificing in our life for our relationship with Jesus Christ. This deals with fasting, praying, spending time with Jesus before spending time with others. There is nothing in this world more important or valuable than your own soul.

Human's are naturally given to extremes and excesses, and we must watch what we are doing. The sins of flesh oppose the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus forgives when we repent and then sin no more. When you deny the flesh, then you strengthen the Spirit, it is the best medicine for the soul. Get a hold of the Lord and serve Him with all your heart! Stand your ground and satan will flee from you!

The Lord is not saying to deny His blessings of health and prosperity. But in everything, put Jesus Christ first and he will abundantly supply.

Matthew 10:37-39
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:24-27

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Luke 14:26-29 & 33

If any man come to me, and hate [deny] not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. [Don't let your family interfere with your walk and work in Christ.]

27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Ephesians 5:25-27

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish

1 Corinthians 12:24

For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

2 Peter 1:5-9

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. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.