TEMPERANCE - 1 Corinthians 9:25
1Corinthians 9:25 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.
In 2 Peter 1:6, we are told that we are to add temperance to our knowledge. According to Thayer Greek Definitions, the Greek word that is translated temperance in that passage means self-control, the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites. According to Noah’s 1828 dictionary, the English definition of the word temperance means, moderation; particularly, habitual moderation in regard to the indulgence of the natural appetites and passions; restrained or moderate indulgence; as temperance in eating and drinking; temperance in the indulgence of joy or mirth. Temperance in eating and drinking is opposed to gluttony and drunkenness, and in other indulgences, to excess.
As you can see, God desires to see you add self-control to your knowledge. In this passage, Paul is comparing an Olympic runner to a Christian. The runner takes extreme care of his body. He does not allow himself to become lazy, nor does he become a glutton when it comes to what he eats. The Olympic runner is careful what he does because he desires to be in peak condition for the day that he must run his race. The runner understands that only one can win, and if he desires to be the winner, he must be in peak physical condition.
Paul then reveals that while the Olympic runner strives to master self-control so that he can obtain a corruptible earthly crown, we as Christians are to strive to exercise self-control in our own lives so that we can obtain incorruptible heavenly crowns.
In 1 Corinthians 9:27, Paul goes on to explain that he brings his body under subjection so that he is not rejected by those whom he is preaching the Good News to. Paul understood that if he did not demonstrate self-control in his own life, people would look at him and see that he was no different than those who are of the world and as such reject the message that he was preaching.
The world has a conscience. While the world does not always live a life full of self-control, they understand the great sacrifice that it takes by an individual to control their sin nature and not to allow the pleasures of this world to dominate your life. The world understands that if there is no power in your religious experience, then they really have no desire to join you and follow a lot of do’s and don’ts.
As you study the word temperance as used in the New Testament, the word is used regarding sexual activities, gluttony, drunkenness, and wine drinking. In Romans 13:14, Paul tells us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof. In this passage we see that if we are going to live a life free from the lusts of our flesh, then we must rely upon Christ because greater is he that is in us then he that is of this world.
It is not easy to exercise self-control. Nonetheless, just as an athlete finds the ability to demonstrate self-control so that they can obtain praise from their fellow man, so likewise, we need to learn self-control so that we can obtain the praises of God.
As a Christian, not only must you be prepared to fight spiritual battles against Satan and his evil hosts, but also, you must fight the battle regarding the control over your body. You cannot afford to allow your physical appetites to control your life, instead, your spiritual life should have dominion and should be the dominate factor in your life.