From a layman’s perspective, the word “temperance” can mean abstinence or self-discipline, but what does it really mean in the Bible?
For every believer, the Bible is a guide that helps to live godly lives. This is why there’s hardly any topic that the scriptures don’t address—to ensure all followers of Christ follow the right path that pleases God.
Temperance is a key character trait that Christians must possess. Although this virtue can mean different things to the people of the world, its biblical definition is the most important of them.
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Temperance can be described as the practice of exercising self-control or restraint in speech, thoughts, and behaviors. Also known as habitual moderation, temperance involves the moderate indulgence of the natural appetites.
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The word is often used when people talk about the reduction in alcohol consumption. For instance, the temperance movement campaign emerged in the 19th and 20th centuries to reduce or put an end to the consumption of alcohol. Those who began this movement hold the belief that alcohol was the primary cause of societal problems. Hence, their goal was to promote the moderation or total abstinence of alcoholic drinks to ensure social well-being and religious purity.
The Bible also warns believers against intoxication in Ephesians 5:18: “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.” In other words, those who want the Holy spirit to guide their affairs must not drink alcohol to stupor.
When someone gets drunk, they tend to exhibit unholy and foolish behaviors. So it won’t be possible for the Holy Spirit to dwell in their minds or control their behaviors.
Apostle Paul admonishes all true believers in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” As children of God, we must endeavor to always practice moderation in everything we do.
Temperance is a common theme in the word of God, particularly in the New Testament. It is the practice of restraining oneself from the desires of the flesh, such as food, drinks, lust, selfish ambition, and sexual immorality.
Temperance, or self-control, is a part of the fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Believers who lack self-control cannot please God with their way of life. Generally, human nature seeks to indulge in habits and behaviors that please itself without restraints. However, the consequences that come with a lack of self-control are usually dangerous.
People of the world can do as they wish because they don’t have the spirit of God in them. But if you desire to please the Lord Jesus Christ in your Christian life, you must obey God’s word.
Romans 12:2 states,
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Temperance is a major virtue in the Christian faith, as it contributes to spiritual growth. Additionally, it helps believers to live a disciplined life that truly reflects the attributes of Christ Jesus.
Truthfully, it can be difficult to exercise self-control in this present age where we’re faced with temptation in every area of life. This is why we must rely on God’s grace and the power of the holy spirit to overcome the desires of your sinful nature.
There are several examples of temperance in the Bible that can encourage all followers of Christ in their Christian journey. Let’s discuss 5 of the most famous of them:
1. Jesus Christ
Our Lord Jesus Christ portrays the perfect example of temperance in the scriptures. One of the Bible stories of Jesus that we can learn from can be found in Matthew 4:1-11.
In this biblical narrative, Jesus Christ was led by the spirit into the wilderness after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. While Jesus was physically weak and hungry, the power of God made Him spiritually strong and active. Then the tempter came to Jesus with three different tests.
First, he asked the Lord to turn stones to bread. Jesus responded by saying, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Again, the devil took Jesus to the highest point of the temple of the holy city and asked Him to jump down. To convince the Lord of protection, the devil reminded Him that He is the Son of God, and the angels would keep Him safe. But Jesus, knowing the enemy’s plan, answered, saying, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”
Lastly, the devil took Jesus to a mountain and showed the kingdoms of the world to Him. Then, he promised to give Jesus all these things if He would bow down to worship him. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.” Immediately, the devil left, and the angels came to minister to the Lord.
Every response Jesus gave to the devil was from the word of God, emphasizing the importance of having biblical knowledge. Though Jesus was at a vulnerable point, He exercised self-control because of the glorious future ahead of Him. With God’s help, we can also overcome every test and temptations that comes our way.
Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph, lived a disciplined life that young men can emulate. In Genesis 39:1-23, the Bible gives the account of how Joseph practiced temperance with Potiphar’s wife.
When Joseph arrived at Potiphar’s house in Egypt, he found favor in the eyes of the man. For this reason, Potiphar put him in charge of his household and properties. Because of God’s favor on Joseph’s life, Potiphar began to experience the blessings of God as well.
Afterwards, Potiphar’s wife noticed Joseph and began to make advances at him, but he refused to grant her request. Joseph explained to the woman that his master didn’t keep anything away from him except for her. He further made Potiphar’s wife know that if he committed sexual acts with her, he would sin against God (Genesis 39:9).
Despite Joseph’s explanation, his master’s wife was persistent with her request. One day, Joseph went to perform his duties in his master’s house while the other servants were not around. Potipahar’s wife tried to seduce him again, just like she had been doing. But Joseph ran out of the house, leaving his cloak in the woman’s hand.
As a result of Joseph’s restraint towards his master’s wife, he went to prison because the woman wrongly accused him of making sexual advances at her. However, the Lord vindicated Joseph many years later as he became the second-in-command to Pharaoh. If Joseph hadn’t exercised self-control with Potipahr’s wife, there’s a possibilty that he won’t acheive greatness.
Serving the king comes with several benefits, but Daniel was determined not to get carried away by them. In Daniel 1:8, the Bible says that “Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.”
Instead of defiling himself with the king’s delicacies, Daniel chose to live on vegetables and water, which can be considered a simple meal. After ten days of feeding on this diet, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than the people who ate royal food.
Even though Daniel was a captive in Babylon, he did not allow his condition to discourage him from obeying and trusting God. Because of Daniel’s willingness to please God, he received the divine gift of wisdom to interpret dreams. He interpreted strange dreams for three kings and was highly esteemed by them.
Daniel’s determination to control his appetite for the king’s meal teaches us the importance of refusing certain favors from the people of the world. These favors can come in the form of shady business deals, luxurious gifts, or lots of free cash. But we must control our desires for them because the repercussions of accepting these favors can outweigh their benefits.
Believers who can’t control their lust for worldly pleasures often fall into the temptation of the enemy, which may lead to their destruction. Hence, we must decide to honor God in our daily living rather than indulge in behaviors that lead to sin.
4. King David
David is another wonderful example of a man who displayed self-control when he had the opportunity to harm King Saul in 1 Samuel 24. For several days, King Saul had been chasing after David, trying to kill him.
When he heard that David was in En Gedi, he went after him with three thousand young men. Unknown to Saul, David and his men were in the cave where he went to relieve himself.
David’s men thought it was the right opportunity for him to kill his enemy, Saul. But David refused to harm the king, reminding them that he was the anointed of God. Rather, he simply cut off the corner of the king’s robe as proof of his presence in the cave. David left the cave and called out to Saul, narrating everything that happened to him.
By the time David finished expressing his feelings to Saul, the king felt guilty and wept loudly.
David could have killed his enemy, as his men suggested. However, he was more concerned about pleasing God than seeking vengeance. Like David, we must decide to put our emotions in check when people deliberately hurt us. God is the judge, and He will reward everyone according to their deeds.
In the new Testament, Apostle Paul’s writings suggest he was a man who exercised temperance during his lifetime. He also encouraged everyone who is called by the name of the Lord to copy his attitude of self-discipline, self-control, and moderation in their daily living.
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul includes temperance as one of the fruits of the spirit, implying that it is a major virtue for Christians. Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 9:27, he says, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Paul also speaks against sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 7:9, advising those who cannot control themselves to marry rather than burn with lust. In 1 Corinthians 6:12,
Apostle Paul says, “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.” This verse of the scripture stresses the importance of controlling one’s desires instead of being controlled by them. Whoever cannot put their impulses and emotions in check are slaves to them.
Many other teachings of Apostle Paul emphasize the need to practice temperance as it relates to holiness that truly reflects the life of a believer in Christ Jesus.
Bible Verses About Temperance
Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Titus 2:2
Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
Titus 2:3
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
2 Peter 1:5-6
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity.
Galatians 5:19-21
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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