Temperance

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. —1 Corinthians 9:25

To be temperate means to be self-disciplined. No man will ever win an athletic competition without discipline.  Paul knew that and applied this truth to our running the spiritual race (1 Cor. 9:26-27). Self-discipline is the resolve to say “NO” to things that would hinder you winning the race for God.

God won’t let you be undisciplined and succeed. Therefore, Paul said, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection.” That is self-discipline. Bob Jones Sr. illustrates Paul’s discipline in his book “Things I have Learned” this way:

    Paul said, “I wrestle with my own body.” He threw his body down and stepped on it, and then walked up and said, “Here I am, God. My body cries for things, but I say, “Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP. Get down there, get down there, get down! Shut up!” He said he fought with himself. His old body would get up and he would say, “Get down there. Get down there!”

    The late World Boxing Campion Joe Louis was disciplined. Joe’s stomach said, “I want some biscuits and Alabama syrup.” Joe said, “Shut up!” “But Joe, you know on our Alabama farm your old mother and father had sugar cane molasses, and I like it! Joe, my ancestors liked syrup!” Joe said, “Shut up, and quit bothering me!” Joe’s stomach said, “Joe, you shouldn’t treat me like that; I am hungry! Joe, how could you be so mean to me? My poor, crying stomach—syrup, Joe, syrup! Hot biscuits, Joe, and butter and syrup-and plenty of it!” Joe said, “Shut up! Shut up. You will ruin me!”

    And one day under the lights, and with thousands of people there, Joe’s hand was held up and somebody said, “The world’s Boxing Champion, Joe Louis!” “Joe, how did you get there?” Joe answers, “I got there by discipline!”

    You will never amount to anything for God without self-discipline—The resolve to just say “NO” to certain things that would hinder you from reaching God’s goal for your life. Peter wrote, “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge TEMPERANCE…” (2 Pet. 1:5-6).