Temperance is an important virtue emphasized throughout the Bible. Here is an overview of what the Bible says about temperance and self-control:
Definition of Temperance
The word “temperance” comes from the Greek word egkrateia, which means self-control or mastery over one’s desires and passions. Temperance is the virtue that moderates attraction to pleasures and provides balance in the use of created goods. It ensures mastery of the will over instincts and keeps desires within the limits of what is honorable.
Temperance as a Fruit of the Spirit
In Galatians 5:22-23, temperance is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” The Holy Spirit works in believers to grow and cultivate self-control and moderation.
Being Sober-Minded and Self-Controlled
The Bible frequently instructs believers to be sober-minded and exercise self-control. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Being sober and self-controlled is contrasted with being drunk or indulging in excess.
Titus 2:11-12 also connects sobriety and self-control: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” Believers are called to live with restraint and discernment.
Avoiding Gluttony and Drunkenness
The Bible warns against drunkenness and overindulging in food or drink. Proverbs 23:20-21 says, “Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.” Gluttony and lack of restraint lead to poverty and ruin.
In Proverbs 23:29-35, the dangers of excessive drinking are also laid out clearly. Verse 33 says, “Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.” Drunkenness clouds judgment and the mind.
Moderation in Eating, Drinking, and Sleep
Temperance promotes moderation even in normal biological functions like eating, drinking, and sleeping. Proverbs 16:8 says, “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.” Moderation is better than excess or abundance without self-control.
Even proper habits can become intemperate. Romans 13:13 warns believers to walk “not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.” Life is to be lived in balance, not pursuant of any desire to an extreme.
Moderation in Work and Rest
Hard work and rest are both good in moderation. Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, “Everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” But working constantly without rest is intemperate. Exodus 23:12 says, “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest.” Temperance applies work and rest in proper measure.
Controlling Unrighteous Anger
The Bible warns against being quick-tempered and losing control of one’s anger. Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” Losing self-control in anger does not lead to righteousness.
James 1:19-20 expands on this: “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” Careful discipline is required to master one’s anger and refrain from sin.
Moderation in Youth and Old Age
The Bible recommends temperance and balance in all stages of life. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 gives this advice: “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body.” Youthful passion still requires self-control.
Likewise, older age grants experience but caution must be exercised. Titus 2:2 says, “Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.” Moderation summarizes the biblical path through all seasons of life.
Living With Eternity in View
Ultimately, temperance flows from a mindset fixed on eternity. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” Believers are called to live self-controlled lives because they desire eternal rewards.
2 Peter 1:5-6 also connects temperance to an eternal perspective: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness.” Seeing life in light of eternity motivates temperance.
The Holy Spirit Empowers Self-Control
Though temperance requires strenuous effort, believers are not left to pursue it solely in their own power. The Holy Spirit provides strength and ability. Galatians 5:16 says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” The Spirit enables believers to master unrighteous desires.
2 Timothy 1:7 connects self-control with the Spirit’s power: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Believers have divine help to live moderate and restrained lives.
Praying for God’s Help
Since temperance goes against human nature’s inclination to excess, prayer is needed to succeed in it. The psalmist models this in Psalm 141:3-4, praying: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds.” Believers should continually ask God for help in taming disordered desires.
James 4:7-10 also connects prayer to self-control: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” Closeness with God aids moderation.
Putting Off Fleshly Passions
Since lack of self-control is often blamed on human fleshly weakness, Scripture calls believers to actively put aside fleshly desires that wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 says, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” Not just restrain them, but put them away.
1 Corinthians 9:27 also describes the active battle against fleshly desires: “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Restraint of the body’s cravings is vigorous work requiring discipline.
Reward for Those Who Are Temperate
Though challenging, temperance reaps great reward for those who pursue it. Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” Temperance sows to the Spirit and brings eternal blessing.
Proverbs 25:16 promises, “If you have found honey, eat only enough for you, lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.” Temperance provides the joys of life to their fullest, without going past the point of healthy enjoyment.
Jesus Christ Modeled Perfect Self-Control
As in all areas of life, Jesus is the supreme model of temperance. Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Facing every temptation known to man, Jesus nevertheless refrained from all excess and sin.
The way Jesus responded to those who mocked and beat him demonstrates extraordinary self-control. 1 Peter 2:23 says, “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” Jesus exemplifies perfect moderation, even in the face of persecution.
Temperance Needed More Than Ever
In a culture where excess and indulgence are celebrated, temperance is needed now more than ever. Believers must cultivate self-control through the power of the Spirit in order to walk in freedom from sin and dependence on worldly cravings. Moderation and restraint empower believers to live sober, intentional, Christ-honoring lives.