“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23
Finally (some of you are no doubt thinking) we have come to the last of the nine-fold “Fruit of the Spirit” list. Yes, “temperance,” an old fashioned word for sure!
It is a unique blend of one little preposition (“en” in Greek) and one basic noun (“kratos”). One of the Greek words for “power, might, strength,” that’s “kratos.”
The whole word, “egkrateia.” Pronounced eng-krat’-i-a. Literally meaning “inner strength!”
I can save us a lot of time this morning. This word presents us with the basic concept of “self-control!”
Isn’t this amazing?
God gives us self-control!
We can’t even (properly and spiritually) develop that by ourselves!
Wow!
This “temperance” word is only used (as a noun) 4 times in the New Testament. By Luke (Acts 24:25) then by Paul (here in Galatians 5:23) and later by Peter (2 Peter 1:6). In each case it houses the idea of, as I just said, “self-control!”
Somehow Paul even preached it to a sinner, to Felix, in that Acts reference, 24:25. And Peter is sure it is one of the major building blocks toward Christian maturity! But our little Apostle here just teaches it as a result of God the Holy Spirit living within us and doing His Work!
Now “egkrateuomai” (the first cousin of “egkrateia”) is a verb! And I can only find it twice in the Bible!
Once deals with man’s ability to control himself sensually. (1 Corinthians 7:9 … “But if they CAN not CONTAIN, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” Where a man’s Wife, or the institution of marriage, is the answer to all his physical longings.)
The other occasion is Paul’s testimony about being “temperate” in all things! His “preamble” to living a disciplined Christian life! (1 Corinthians 9:25 … “And every man that striveth for the mastery IS TEMPERATE in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Paul, the spiritual athlete!)
Wow!
Self discipline to follow God as He leads us day by day!
God given strength within each us of, but only as we are as we are filled with the Holy Spirit! As we constantly yield to Him!
Enough said, maybe.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
In Latin, “temperare” means “to restrain! That’s the background for our English word “temperance.” Can you see the self-control in that light? Telling myself NO to certain things, in certain areas of life! Literally being a Christian SOLDIER! Maybe even in boot camp!