(Law No. 7 of the 8 Laws of Health)
Temperance is essential for overall health. What does temperance mean anyway? Two other words for temperance is self-control or self-denial, which means total abstinence from that which is harmful and moderation in the use of that which is good.
Temperance is a hard one because we have to deny ourselves of what we really want to say or do and instead do what God wants us to say and do. We need to ask Him to help us be temperate in all things, whether it's food, drink, play, work, shopping, exercise and movies.
Proverbs 25:16 says- "Hast thou found honey? Eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith and vomit it."
So the Bible is saying that we need to be temperate even with the good things, because too much of anything becomes harmful.
1 Corinthians 9:25 says- "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."
Galations 5:22, 23 says- "But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith. Meekness and temperance: against such there is no law."
Self-control is very important, it helps us to resist temptation and avoid conforming to the things of this world. It guides our decisions and it correlates with how we show the other fruits in our lives. Remember that temptation is not a sin because Jesus was tempted many times, but only when we yield to temptation it becomes sin. For example, forbearance or patience, requires self-control.
The Bible says in Proverbs 14:29 "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding, but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly." Our sinful nature leads us to give into our temper but we are called to rise above this and to demonstrate God's Character.
Jesus Christ gives us the perfect example of temperance, because He lived a sinless life and possessed every fruit of the Spirit. Jesus demonstrated self-control in leaving His heavenly home and all that he was and had, to come to this earth and carry out His Father's will. He was to live a perfect life, in order to set an example for us and in the end He died for our sins so that we may have eternal life and be empowered to live victorious lives. Without the self-denial of Jesus, we would face death as the punishment of our sin. WOW, what a sacrifice!
So next time you're in a tough situation, remember Jesus and the perfect example He set for us of how to live overcoming lives. While it may seem challenging to demonstrate self-control for your favourite things, don’t despair, God will help you and the rewards will be exceedingly abundant!🙏🏾