2 Peter 1:6 - “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;”

What has temperance to do with knowledge? This statement of wisdom from the Apostle Peter intrigues me. It carries a message that every child of God must know. Too often, we take each word independently from other words and miss the true meaning.

Temperance is “moderation in thought, word, or action.” Those who practice temperance have self-control and show restraint in their desires and behaviors. We always apply this term to refer to alcohol addiction. Temperance is a common theme, especially in the New Testament. It is mentioned in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not be drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Unless a person controls their desire for alcohol, it will be impossible for that individual to yield to the Holy Spirit. Alcohol will be in control—the same with anything not handled with godly temperance. The biblical standard for Christians is to allow nothing but the Holy Spirit to control us. (Galatians 5:25)

It is wise to stay away from alcohol altogether. There is no use for alcohol now but for fun since we have all the medication to help us with illness. Alcohol today represents evil. Godly knowledge will help us make a wise decision. Whether it be alcohol, food, lust, or greed, any fleshly desire that is not restrained becomes a sin.

Godly temperance must work with godly knowledge. When we think we have enough knowledge,

we become confident and believe we can manage ourselves with mere information. The same is true with those who think they have temperance. These people say, “I know, and I can control myself.” Later, you hear them under the influence of a substance.

It is impossible to live godly and please the Lord without temperance because our flesh wants only to please ourselves. Romans 3:14 warns us to “make no provision for the flesh.” Paul describes godly temperance in 1 Corinthians 9:27 - “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I should be a castaway.” Paul also knew the power of the flesh could affect his ministry, so he must refuse his flesh with what it craved to develop temperance.

Today's serious dependency problems remind us of the mistake of attempting to live a life without godly temperance. When a Christian falls, it is due mainly to a lack of godly temperance.

The opposite of temperance is self-indulgence. When we develop a lazy attitude, it tends to branch out to other areas as well. But when we keep ourselves under control physically, mentally, and spiritually, we are prepared for greater effectiveness and victory in our service to the Lord.

My prayer for you

Our heavenly Father, thank you for reminding us to exercise self-control or temperance with godly knowledge in living the spiritual life. We realize without You, nothing good will result. Thank you for godly knowledge and the temperance you have given us through the Holy Spirit.

Please help us to know you more and your desire and will in our lives. We also need to control ourselves not to pursue our plans but yours alone. I need godly temperance to curve my desire to follow yours always.

Your plan is better than ours, and we need to be strong in abiding by it and avoid going against your perfect will for us.

Thank you for not giving up on us and fulfilling your promises despite our unfaithfulness. We confess all our sins to you and restore to us the joy of our salvation and the desire to continue to obey you.

May our lives be a guiding star for others to follow as we follow you. For in following you, we will not be lost and be confused, and we will not be deceived.

This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen!