1 Corinthians 9:24-25 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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.

Romans 13:14 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men.

As I looked on the internet to see what had already been written about Temperance, I immediately realized that every single article dealt with abstinence. But temperance isn't just about restraint. Temperance is Mastery of Self! I could just give you scripture after scripture on overeating, drinking alcoholic beverages, sleeping too much, using bad language, jealousy, envy and other vices but until you have self-control it would be like applying a Band-Aid. You can restrain from drinking alcohol, but until you learn self-mastery you'll always be in danger of going back to the addiction. You can restrain from eating too much and lose weight, but if you learn temperance in food choices as a life style change you can actually become master of your self. You can learn self-control.

If you lack temperance, who or what is controlling your body? This is perhaps the most important Fruit of the Spirit to be attained. It is so important for a Christian to have control of their body at all times. It is important to be temperate in everything we do. We should not do anything in excess. Too much food, too much dieting, too much exercise, too much rest, too much sleep, too much work, too much play, too much sex, too much partying, too much solitude, too much of anything can ruin a life. Temperance, self-control, balance: perhaps the most important and perhaps the hardest to attain for some of us because it covers so many areas.

When you find yourself obsessing over something - that means it is excessively preoccupying your mind - that is a sign you are not exercising temperance in that area of your life. Do you get on the scale several times a day? That's obsessive. Do you dust your house or wash your car every day? That's obsessive. Do you watch 6 or 7 hours of TV every day or sleep 10 or 12 hours a night? That's obsessive. You may also be lacking in an area if you are ignoring an aspect of something: such as bible study - perhaps it is nonexistent in your schedule. Or maybe you don't spend enough time with your family. The flesh is weak and not easy to master, it takes a lot of willpower and awareness. So ... the next time you find yourself starting to get on the scale for the third time in one day - don't. When you start to reach for the fourth brownie - don't. Turn off the TV. Set the alarm and get up. Set a regular time for bible study - do it with your family. Plan a sit down dinner with the family or a game night. DO something now about some of the things in your life that are keeping your from Mastering Your Self!

How many of these nine fruits do you feel you have already attained? How many do you need to work on? Maybe making a list and putting them in order of how you would like to begin would help. Pray over your list and ask God to help you reach a new goal each week. The attributes making up the Fruits of the Spirit are attainable and they are worth working towards!