Walking With Temperance
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We are in our final message on the Fruit of the Spirit tonight, and we will be looking at the thought of “Walking With Temperance”...
Temperance is defined as moderation and self-control, or self-restraint, as in behavior or expression.
Self-Control is defined as the ability to choose one’s own thoughts, words, and actions and to put those choices into action. We all know what it is, but the problem lies in doing it.
I was riding with a co-worker Friday and we were going down a particular street and he told me that on Wednesday night, someone had cut off someone else in their car and this person pulled a gun and shot at the car that had cut them off and ended up shooting one of three children that were in the back seat, a 7 year old boy - He ended up dying at the scene, and the police are still looking for the person that shot at the car. After hearing about this, I told the guy I was riding with, it’s ridiculous, people have no self-control anymore. They don’t even try to think about what they are doing, or the consequence of what they are doing. Simply put, to have no self control is absolutely dangerous!
28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
Temperance Explained
Temperance Explained
There are two facts concerning temperance that we need to know:
Discretion
Discretion
Discretion is simply knowing when to do the right thing at the right time. It’s discretion that helps us practice integrity at a crucial moment of choice.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
The second fact concerning temperance is:
Discipline
Discipline
Discipline is training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
It’s been said that successful athletes make choices to practice when no one else does. It’s the discipline practiced when no one is looking that produces character.
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.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Go back up to verse 24 and notice it says:
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
It takes discipline to have a good character - it takes discipline to have temperance - it takes discipline to raise children consistently -
As the Apostle Paul charged Timothy, he explained that it takes temperance to keep a church going in the right direction.
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
Temperance is necessary to stay in the fight the right way!
Now that we understand what temperance is, let’s look at:
Temperance Experienced
Temperance Experienced
A Disciplined Physical Life
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
I want you to understand that:
The flesh fights the Spirit.
The flesh fights the Spirit.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But, that’s not all of the story :
The flesh is defeated through Calvary
The flesh is defeated through Calvary
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
This old flesh is hard to reckon with, but thanks be to God that it is defeated through Calvary!
Not only can you experience temperance in a disciplined physical life, but also through:
A Disciplined Thought Life
A Disciplined Thought Life
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
That word “imaginations” in Greek is “logismous”, which means, “thoughts or fantasies against the truth of Christ or the revealed will of God.”
It takes temperance to cast down those thoughts that are against the truth of Christ! - It takes a disciplined thought life...
Temperance Exemplified
Temperance Exemplified
In what ways can we develop temperance going forward?
Admit Your Problem
Admit Your Problem
A. We do things because we choose them...
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
B. We are hurt by rationalization - we rationalize anything...
Rationalization causes us to:
1. Ignore problems
2. Deny problems
3. Explain away our problems
and
4. Blame others for our problems
BUT, the best thing we can do is choose to admit our problem!
Put Your Past Behind You
Put Your Past Behind You
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
“…forgetting those things which are behind...”
A. Past failures do not determine present potential
B. A focus on past failures guarantees repetition
Let me give you a very practical illustration here: When children learn to walk, they fall many times, but nobody ever says about a child learning to walk, “Well, he’s just not meant to be a walker!”
Believe God Can Bring Change
Believe God Can Bring Change
Your beliefs control your behavior!
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Victory begins in your thought life
Focus on God’s power and promises, not your weaknesses! - Believe God!
Make Yourself Accountable
Make Yourself Accountable
12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Find someone to share your burden; have someone to make you accountable!
Avoid Temptation
Avoid Temptation
Don’t give Satan an advantage:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
Think through your problem and plan in advance...
Make the necessary changes to avoid temptation.
1. It might require major environmental changes - Some people have to change jobs, or change total environments...
2. It might require relational changes - Sometimes, you just need to set boundaries in relationships and friendships…I’ve had to distance myself from friends I once had because they were a bad influence on me.
We should avoid the places and people that are likely to draw us into temptation!
Do whatever it is you need to do, but don’t give Satan an advantage - flee the temptation, whatever it is, and when you do, don’t leave a forwarding address! - that way it can’t find you later!
Benjamin Franklin wrote, “It’s easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.”
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
The word “communications” in that verse means “companionship.” In other words, bad company corrupts good character!
The final step we can take to practice temperance in our lives is to:
Depend on Christ’s Power
Depend on Christ’s Power
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Walking in the Spirit consists of not only trying but also trusting!
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
We must trust that God will help us and give us the power to live the abundant Christian life!
Conclusion
Conclusion
There is no magic formula for self-control.
Self-control is much easier for some.
Self-control is required of all.
“The secret of self-control is Christ’s control.”
By walking in the Spirit’s control, we can experience temperance and exemplify it to those around us.