Temperance

Call To Prayer

Title: Temperance

By: Wale Lasisi

Date: 14.11.2024

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (2 Peter 1:5-6 KJV)

A wise man once said: when the purpose of a thing is not known, its abuse is inevitable. That is why everyone who has been given or endowed with any kind of resource has three options; to use it well, to abuse it, or to neglect/waste it. For the purpose of this devotional, I will focus on the first two options available. Temperance or self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23) and every believer is expected to exhibit it as a lifestyle.

The financial blessings of God in our lives should not be the reason why people should be oppressed or trampled on. That the Lord has put the prophetic spirit on us should not push us to use it for personal gains. We must resist the urge like Joseph to take advantage of demonic opportunities to start fornicating or committing adultery especially when we believe no one will ever know. Everything the Lord has blessed us with has a purpose and it must be used accordingly.

This is having the ability to display your power, gift, or superiority over a situation yet, you keep yourself in check. In Luke 9:54-55, Jesus was rebuking some of his disciples who wanted to call down fire over a city where they were not welcomed and he cautioned them immediately because even though they possessed the power to call down fire, it was not to be used for that purpose. The master is honored when we exhibit self-control and when his resources are put to good use and not squandered on self-image, lust, or greed.

We must exercise self-control over our thoughts, our actions, our words, and our character exemplifying the life Jesus lived who had power over death but yet submitted himself in obedience to the will of His father to be crucified and today, we are all partakers of his sacrifice on the cross.

Prayer point:

Let us thank God for His word today. Let’s ask for the Holy Spirit to anoint us afresh with the grace for self-control in all circumstances.