Overview
Temperance is not only a private discipline, it is evangelical: self-control is what allows a believer to become all things to all men so that some may be reached. Rev. Rico Magnelli closes his three-part study by showing that temperance is grace-inspired and Spirit-enabled restraint, not human asceticism. In Acts 24 Paul reasons with the Roman governor Felix about righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come, and Felix trembles. In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul is temperate in all things for the gospel’s sake, and in Philippians 4 gentleness toward others is the mark of a person who is playing the long game because the Lord is at hand.
Transcript
What Temperance Means in a Christian Leader’s Walk
Temperance Part 3, please turn to Acts 24. Temperance or self-control, or exercising restraint in all matters, whether it’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual, is a vital part of a Christian leader’s walk and certainly instrumental in the quality of life that that person lives.
We saw in Part 1 how temperance is listed as the ninth fruit of the Spirit, so it’s first spiritual. So being from the Spirit, it’s not simply bodily or mental discipline, which there’s plenty of in this world. But temperance is a grace-inspired and spirit-enabled self-control, which means we have dominion over our desires, appetites of all kinds, habits that can rule us, dominate us if left unchecked.
It is God-inspired restraint. Now, some of these appetites can be common so other people deal with something similar, but they can also be nuanced and particular to each of us, and God can show us where and when is the best way to apply this temperance.
Why Temperance Is Not the Same as Human Asceticism
Often religious people fall into the trap of human asceticism, which is the lifestyle of abstinence through self-discipline, like self-imposed poverty and simple living for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goals. This approach can become works for man’s approval before God. Then we looked at Part 2 of temperance, and we focused on how temperance influences our purity of heart and biblical character.
Temperance holds back the impurities of corrupted physical and spiritual influences, and there’s plenty of those. So they don’t get mixed in with our bodies, our heart, and biblical character, because temperance is like a gatekeeper to help us maintain a pure heart.
Temperance Is Evangelical: Reaching Others With the Gospel
Then finally, today we’re going to talk about temperance, Part 3, and how it’s also evangelical. So temperance is used in reaching others with the gospel. We’ll see how this works. Temperance is directly involved to someone becoming all things to all men that they might reach some. So to reach a wide range of people, we cannot be preference-dominated, which is static, but spirit-inspired, which makes us dynamic.
Temperance helps us guard against becoming preference-dominated, where that basically runs the show. Nothing wrong with preferences, but we don’t want them to rule our lives. So Christians who exercise temperance are playing the long game. They’re making decisions now that will pay dividends in the future, and this is across the board in every category of life.
So the gospel, the good news, encourages us to restrain unchecked appetites, and especially in light of considering the future. Godly restraint is a demonstration of faith whose end is hope. And we’ll see how this ties in here.
Paul Reasons With the Roman Governor Felix in Acts 24
So that’s why temperance demonstrates vision, because it sees a far off. It plays the long game. So here in Acts 24, the apostle Paul is before the Roman governor, Felix, and Paul chooses temperance as one of the three categories he addresses when explaining the faith of Jesus Christ. Amazing.
Here in Acts 24, verse 24, and after certain days when Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ, and the text adds, Christ Jesus. Felix was not necessarily a scrupulous man.
He had a pretty bad reputation of being abrasive and a little bit cruel in his application of authority. So it’s very interesting that Paul is addressing these things with him because this guy wasn’t necessarily overly friendly. At least that’s what historians say.
And as he, Paul, reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Felix trembled. That means he became afraid and answered, go thy way for this time. When I have convenient season, I will call for thee. So the topic of this discussion, the reasoning, which is where we get the word dialogue, it was a back and forth.
A Dialogue About Righteousness, Temperance and Judgment to Come
And Paul was a prisoner subject to the rules of Rome, but yet Paul brings up the faith of Jesus Christ.
And how does he decide to handle it? He decides to handle it in the context of a dialogue. So probably he asked questions and went back and forth. And he dialogued about righteousness. Righteousness is to be right with God. And that would deal with our past, if you will, the righteousness.
Then he reasoned with temperance. There’s our word, temperance, self-control, restraint. And this is something that this individual was not exercised in.
Felix, meaning he was, according to historians, he was not a good guy. Maybe a little abuse of his power, but he had a very influential brother who protected him. The influential brother was in good state or good standing with the emperor, Caesar.
So he reasons with him about temperance, self-control. And it’s right tied into judgment to come, which is dealing with the future. So right here we have the past, the future, and the present. And there must have been something extremely compelling about Paul’s presentation. Something that really got to Felix.
Why Felix Trembled Before a Prisoner
Because Felix had all the cards. He was the governor of Judea, or certainly a high-ranking official. But yet he meets with this one man and Felix is in fear.
To tremble means to become afraid. Like perhaps maybe his life isn’t what it should be. So we don’t know exactly what was said. We just know kind of like a summation. But look how powerful this is.
Through faith in Christ, he would have explained that we are righteous. We are right before God. And that as a Christian, we have no judgment awaiting us in the future.
And perhaps he told Felix, you might want to get on board here. Because I cannot speak for you. Unless you accept Christ. Therefore, we can and should exercise temperance in the here and now. Self-control. And you think that Felix wouldn’t listen to this. But Felix did listen. It says that he heard him concerning the faith in Christ. He listened. He heard it.
What Paul Chose Not to Talk About
So how convincing do you think Paul was? I think he was pretty compelling. Paul could have chosen to speak about a lot of things. The injustice that he was brought before Roman authorities for no reason.
Sure, he could have talked about that. He could have talked about his Roman citizenship. Paul was a very well read and well-learning academic. So he could have really spoken a lot of things. But look at what he chooses to speak on.
He moves forward. Makes no apologies for himself. He makes no excuses. He dialogue concerning the faith of Christ regarding righteousness. What’s right before God. Temperance which is self-control. And perhaps that really got Felix’s ear. And about the judgment to come. If self-control isn’t necessarily exercised. So Felix became afraid. It pierced through all the cultural, governmental, bureaucratic barriers that possibly could be involved in this encounter.
A Christian, Paul, before a Roman authority. And look at what he handles. In essence, he handled the right and self-controlled moral. The morally right path is the most prudent when the future is being considered. And perhaps that got Felix’s attention.
Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 9, please. 1 Corinthians chapter 9. We’re looking at temperance and how it’s tied evangelical to reach others. Because there’s something about a person that exercises self-control, restraint that most, a lot of people don’t, that arrests people’s attention. I’m sure Paul was an example of righteousness, temperance and a consideration of the future in his presentation.
There’s something about restraint, temperance and self-control that helps us and is a dynamic and compelling witness to people. We’re not supposed to be just running around doing whatever we want whenever we want. There is to be some self-control. Because the world will have you think that you can do whatever, whenever you want. And that’s really not what God has in mind.
1 Corinthians 9: Becoming All Things to All Men
Look at 1 Corinthians chapter 9, please. Look at verse 19. For though I, the apostle Paul, be free from all men, yet I’ve made myself servant unto all that I might gain the more.
In other words, he’s free to be Paul. But he decides that he is going to make himself a servant to all.
And unto the Jews I became as a Jew that I might gain the Jews or Judeans. That are under the law as under the law. That I might gain them that are under the law.
To them that are without the law as without law, being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ. That I might gain them that are without the law. You see a theme here.
Adapting to People Without Compromise Takes Temperance
Paul is adapting himself without compromise. How do you get to the point where you can adapt to the needs of people without compromise? Temperance. That’s how you do it. That’s how you do it.
To the weak became I as weak that I might gain the weak. I am made all things to all men that I might by all means save some. How does somebody adapt themselves without compromising their core value, without compromising their faith? Temperance. This I do for the gospel’s sake that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Know ye not verse 24, that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize.
Life Is a Race and Every Athlete Is Temperate in All Things
So run that ye may obtain. Now he puts it in an athletic metaphor or even an allegory. He’s saying life is like a race y’all. And this race has a prize and you run for that the prize in the race.
Verse 25 and every man that striveth for the mastery here it is is temperate in all things. Has engaged themselves in self control.
Those of you that are athletically inclined or have athletics in your background. You know that to really gain ascendancy and proficiency in any discipline, especially athletics, you have to exercise self-control.
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. Temperance is rewardable by God. It’s a category of reward for exercising restraint in all matters, physical, emotional and mental.
Absolutely 100% because the world wants to steer you into whatever you want, do whatever you want, whatever feels good or you know, however the saying goes. That’s not going to produce the greatest spiritual result and actually as a Christian it’s not going to really satisfy you. It may temporarily give you a sugar high, but it’s not going to satisfy you.
Keeping the Body in Subjection for the Gospel’s Sake
I therefore so run verse 26 not as uncertainly so fight I not as one that beateth the air, but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection. Lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
In other words, he doesn’t want to be disqualified from the competition. So what does he do? He exercises temperance in all things. Why does he do this? For the gospel sake. This is tremendous.
Temperance is key to becoming all things to all men. And it is part of the antidote to becoming preference oriented or preference dominated.
You exercise restraint. That includes our mouth when we speak, our appetites, our emotions, all categories, and it’s rewardable. And remember, it’s not just self discipline. It’s spirit inspired. God enabled restraint and he will work in you to show you how that fits for you.
Philippians 4: Names Written in the Book of Life
And let’s close in Philippians chapter four. There’s so much more we can do with this, but it’s one of the fruit of the spirit. It’s a result of walking and thinking spiritual things. It produces that temperance that God inspired restraint. In Philippians chapter four, it says in verse three. And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel with Clement also and with other my fellowlabourers whose names are in the book of life.
The book of life is a reference. It isn’t really a book. It’s a reference of the names of those that have salvation stamped on their souls and those names are with God. That’s you. That’s me. Many others.
It says rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. So that’s a nice thing to remember.
Let Your Moderation Be Known: Gentleness as Temperance
We are to rejoice in the Lord. Then it says in verse five. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. The word moderation is gentleness. Gentleness.
Why is this tied into temperance? Because demonstrating gentleness considering what is coming in the future in the Lord’s day reflects someone who exercises temperance. They’re in it for the long game. They make decisions now that will benefit them in the future. That will accrue dividends in the future spiritually. Because someone that is gentle with all people because they understand what’s coming in the future has a comprehension and a grasp of God’s sovereignty. His justice and his care. Gentleness is a demonstration of temperance.
And it’s very important for a leader. According to Titus 1, it talks about temperance for a leader is involved in not being stubborn. Temperance for a leader is involved in not flying off the handle, not being angry all the time. It talks about alcohol specifically mentions wine. It talks about exercising self-control and not bullying people. Not allowing ourselves to be greedy. It’s all in there in Titus 1, verses 7-9.
See, there’s so much tied to the significance of self-control. Being gentle with people is an indication of true strength.
Restraint on the Cross Is the Picture of True Strength
True strength. Those who have power and authority to exercise restraint even when people might deserve it is so commendable. And no better example than our Lord who on the cross unjustly accused and in the process of being executed. States, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do. When he could have called 12 legions of angels to rescue him. That’s temperance.
Another way of understanding temperance is mercy. The withholding of merited judgment because mercy is a demonstration of temperance. So you see how this temperance ties into so many facets aspects of the interwoven fabric of Christianity.
Temperance Is Spiritual, Moral and Evangelical
It’s first spiritual and it also guards and keeps our pure heart because it’s moral. But it’s also a witness and can be involved in evangelical pursuit of winning others. Because we endeavor to be all things to all men that’s going to require restraint temperance or self-control.
Or exercising restraint in all matters physical emotional mental and spiritual is a vital part of a Christian leader’s walk in quality of life. It is spiritual it is moral and it is evangelical it has those applications and touches every aspect of our life.
It’s one of the most significant character building exercises we have that heals strengthens our bodies guards our hearts and demonstrates an understanding of God’s sovereignty and care right now in the present.
As we look towards the future because his strength is in us we can be gentle with ourselves and with others because we see the day approaching. We see the day of Christ return approaching and we respond like Philippians four or five says let your gentleness be known unto all men the Lord is at hand.
Key Takeaways
- Temperance is the ninth fruit of the Spirit, so it is grace-inspired and Spirit-enabled restraint rather than mere bodily or mental discipline.
- Human asceticism, abstinence practised for man’s approval before God, is a counterfeit of biblical temperance.
- In Acts 24 Paul reasons with Felix about righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come, covering past, present and future, and Felix trembles.
- Temperance is what lets a believer adapt to Jews, to those under the law, to those without law and to the weak without compromising the faith.
- Paul’s athletic picture in 1 Corinthians 9 makes temperance rewardable: others run for a corruptible crown, believers for an incorruptible one.
- Philippians 4:5 ties moderation, or gentleness, to the Lord being at hand, so restraint is a demonstration of faith whose end is hope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is temperance in the Bible?
Temperance is self-control, or exercising restraint in all matters, whether physical, emotional, mental or spiritual. Because it is listed as the ninth fruit of the Spirit, it is first spiritual: a grace-inspired and Spirit-enabled self-control that gives us dominion over our desires, appetites and habits. It is God-inspired restraint, not simply bodily or mental discipline, and not the human asceticism that becomes works for man’s approval before God.
Why did Paul speak to Felix about temperance in Acts 24?
Paul chose temperance as one of three categories for explaining the faith of Jesus Christ. He reasoned of righteousness, which is being right with God and deals with the past; of temperance, the self-control this man was not exercised in; and of the judgment to come, which deals with the future. Felix trembled, meaning he became afraid, and told Paul to go his way for that time.
How does temperance help a Christian become all things to all men?
In 1 Corinthians 9 Paul becomes as a Jew to the Jews, as under the law to those under the law, and as weak to the weak, so that he might gain them. Adapting to the needs of people without compromising your core values or your faith is done by temperance. It also guards against becoming preference-dominated, which is static, and keeps a believer Spirit-inspired and dynamic.
Scripture References
Acts 24:24-25; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; Philippians 4:3-5; Titus 1:7-9
This text was prepared from the teaching audio and notes. Please verify scripture references against your own Bible.
