The Lack of Temperance

Proverbs 25: "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls". We live in a society today that lacks temperance or self-control. We find that with young children, teenagers, and even adults. There's no particular age group that's an exception. People that don't get their away express their outrage through temper tantrums, pouting, or more violent measures as all the school shootings that have taken place in America for the last 12 years or better. People have no self-control? Why? They have no temperance. They didn't receive proper discipline as a child. What is the definition of temperance? Temperance is self-restraint in conduct, indulgence of the appetites, etc., moderation. In the particular example I just mentioned, I'm making reference to a lack of temperance when it comes to behavior. I'm referring to people who become easily angered when things don't go the way they desire. Proverbs also says that those who become angry easily lack understanding. People that fly off the handle don't know how to possess their vessel.

The lack of temperance isn't just limited to becoming angry and acting irrational. The lack of temperance can be demonstrated in a number of facets. We see Americans that are intemperate when it comes to managing finances, keeping their weight under control, slothfulness when it comes to work, students not being diligent in completing their homework, and the list continues. It's a very serious problem in today's society. That's apparent as well with our lawmakers in Washington, D.C. When it comes to the issue of spending taxpayer dollars, our politicians waste money like we waste food or even worse. Today's parents have failed in properly instilling temperance in their children's lives. Today we're seeing those results manifested in our society with today's young adults. We have an impatient society that's out of control, that wants things accomplished in "microwave time", and doesn't want to exert themselves to achieve genuine success in certain fields. We're a slothful, lazy, and obese society. We postpone things for tomorrow which should've been accomplished today. We have students graduating from our public schools that can't hardly read or spell. We have young people entering the work force that lack skills necessary to be successful on a job. As a result, the turnover rate is high in many places of employment because they can't handle the stress on a job.

The Bible says a lot about temperance. Temperance is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). A Christian should live a balanced, temperate lifestyle. Many Christians today struggle in that area. A lack of self-control, regardless of what area in a person's life it is, is not a good testimony on behalf of the Christian. The world lacks balance. We as Christians should be leaders when it comes to living a temperate lifestyle. Our lives should reflect Christ and we should live a temperate life. A lot of unnecessary words have been spoken due to a lack of temperance when it comes to speech. Many Christian homes have faced undue stress due to being undisciplined in handling our finances. Every part of our lives should exhibit self-control. I appreciate Dave Ramsey and the work he does when it comes to promoting "Financial Peace". I appreciate all those that promote living a balanced healthy lifestyle. Without temperance, life will be very stressful, difficult, and complicated.