Temperance: our health and wellbeing infinitely depend on this virtue
Cultivating righteous habits that benefit mind, body and spirit
Shabbat Shalom!
Temperance means moderation and abstinence. Moderation is a virtue that affects our daily lives whether in work, eating, drinking, thinking or behaving. Abstinence is a virtue that keeps us from things which are harmful to our character and our health.
The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:22 - 23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control(temperance). Against such there is no law.”
We read here that temperance is a fruit of the Spirit. Only God, through His Spirit, can give you real temperance. It is a fruit that God produces in us.
That is not to say however that we do not seek for this fruit, in fact we do go after it diligently just as Peter writes in 2 Peter 1:5-7
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control(temperance), to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.”
And again in Titus 2:12 it reads
“teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age”
Or in Proverbs 25:28
“Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control(temperance).”
Temperance benefits our health and wellbeing to a great extend; it influences our relationships and our character. Temperance in diet is rewarded with mental and moral vigour and it aids in the control of the passions.
Temperance can help us regain direction when life gets overwhelming. In today’s digital world most of us spend much of our day glued to digital screens. Practicing temperance with our reliance on technology can greatly increase our quality of life, relationships and state of joy.
Temperance in our lifestyle and our minds are important. It helps us become aware of the importance of safeguarding our thoughts and emotions. In contrast to anxiety, anger and pride we eventually begin to bear fruits of patience, forgiveness and humility.
These are fruits of the Spirit which bring life and abundant health to the body and newness to our character; and so we become a new creation, fully pleasing to our Creator.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
If you are new to Pilgrim’s Well and you missed the article on Biblical Health Laws, be sure to check it out here.
Happy sojourning!
Great reminder and well said Wilmien!