Self-control, or temperance, is a vital fruit of the Spirit, embodying power over oneself and mastery over passions. It is the virtue that checks appetites, regulates conduct, and prevents being swayed by sensuous desires, with moderation as a key element. A lack of self-control is evident in sins such as lust, greed, gluttony, alcoholism, conceit, sexual sins, gossiping, violent quarreling, and reckless speech, which Satan can tempt us to commit if we falter. Self-control is not solely for personal benefit but also for others, as self-restraint and obedience to God's law reflect outgoing concern that surpasses self-interest, enabling us to resist actions that may cause pain or weakness to brethren. Producing self-control involves discipline and hard work, as seen in Paul's efforts to bring his body into subjection to maintain credibility and effectiveness. A lack of self-control reveals short-sightedness, with long-lasting physical and spiritual damage. When self-control seems impossible, changing circumstances to avoid temptation is necessary, such as marrying if sexual urges cannot be managed. Christ exemplified self-control by mastering lustful and destructive thoughts, overcoming human tendencies, resisting temptation, and submitting to God's law. Self-control manifests God's work in man through the Holy Spirit, strengthening the Spirit-controlled mind with power to control rebellious desires and resist tempting pleasures. It is essential for entrance into the Kingdom of God, as mere knowledge of Him without practical self-responsibility is insufficient. With the help of His divine power, self-mastery is produced, contrasting the works of the flesh like drunkenness and reveling, and aligning with a life led by the Spirit for fruitful growth in His character.

As Christians, we are called to abstain not only from sinful actions but also from behaviors that may appear wrong to others. God expects us to apply spiritual wisdom in areas where He has not specifically spoken, guiding our conduct to avoid the appearance of evil. Even if an action seems harmless to us, if it is perceived as sinful by others, it may harm our witness to God's way of life. In such cases, we should lean toward virtue, remembering that abstaining ensures we commit no sin, while indulging risks offense. Romans 14:16-21 teaches us to pursue peace and edification, refraining from actions like eating meat or drinking wine if they cause a brother to stumble or be offended. Though something may be lawful under God's law, if it brings harm to another, we must abstain unless it conflicts with our obedience and worship of Him. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we grow in spiritual perception to discern when to act and when to refrain, striving to be faithful witnesses to His way while avoiding offense to others.

In an affluent society where temptations abound, resisting gluttony requires steadfast self-control. The constant barrage of gastronomic enticements, from dessert menus to food advertisements, tests our discipline daily, drawing us away by our own desires. Gluttony, rooted in a lack of self-control, exhausts our perseverance for good and weakens our resistance to evil, affecting our character profoundly. Solomon warns against succumbing to appetite, advising restraint even in the presence of deceptive delicacies, for a person given to excessive cravings lacks willpower to resist. Eating or drinking beyond what is healthy reveals this lack of control, akin to an inability to refuse liquor, where desire overtakes us, contrary to what God desires for His people. God views gluttony as a trait of an evil person, instructing us to avoid close associations with those who overindulge in food and drink, lest familiarity with such behavior wears us down. Beyond physical excess, gluttony extends to an overzealous pursuit of knowledge or theological minutiae, leading to imbalance and distraction from vital spiritual matters. Such excessive study or focus on trivial subjects wearies the flesh and prevents true understanding of God's way, fostering an unhealthy obsession. Gluttony also manifests in prioritizing physical desires over spiritual ones, making appetite a false god and breaking God's commandments. It desecrates the Sabbath when used as an occasion for overindulgence, and it fuels dissatisfaction with what we have, coveting more than our share. Historically, Israel's gluttony led to rebellion and apostasy, as they grew fat and forsook God who made them. Today, spiritual gluttony in the church appears as a craving for new ideas that draw us away from sound doctrine, enticing weak faith with repackaged falsehoods. God anticipates gluttony as a challenge for His church, not merely in physical excess but as a deeper sin of lust, greed, and lack of self-control. We are called to walk properly, setting a good example of righteousness, making no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. Feasting is not the sin, for God delights in feasts and provides them for His church, but we must use His blessings with balance and restraint, bringing glory to Him through our conduct.

In the midst of a world that often feels out of control, with fast-paced lifestyles designed by satan to keep us from meditating on gaining mastery over our lives, the importance of temperance, or self-control, emerges as a vital Christian virtue. Self-control, listed as the ninth and last fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, is essential to Christian living, for a son of God must model a life guided by God without relinquishing free moral agency. The Greek word enkrateia, translated as self-control or temperance, signifies possessing power, strength, and mastery over one's desires and impulses, encompassing a broad application to life through obedience and submission. Though not extensively used in Scripture, self-control is implied in many exhortations to sinless living, with related terms like nephalios, often translated as temperate or sober, pointing to avoiding self-indulgence, particularly drunkenness. It also includes having good sense, sober wisdom, and moderation, as seen in Proverbs 25:28, where lacking rule over one's spirit is likened to a city without walls. Paul illustrates this with the example of runners in Grecian games, who exhibit rigid temperance in all areas of life to succeed, showing that Christians must similarly maintain focus and control to avoid distractions and seek first the kingdom of God. The challenge of self-control is evident in the powerful pulls of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which must be mastered to avoid conformity to the world. Our senses and appetites can lead to sinful excesses if not subordinated, as seen in the senseless luxury and intemperance of our culture. Paul urges that all activities be consciously devoted to God, laid as a sacrifice upon His altar, requiring costly control over what we inherently desire to retain. This sacrifice and control are integral to a life of worship and service to God, demanding that we discipline our bodies and bring them into subjection. God's grace, as noted in II Timothy 1:6-7, is given to express self-control, for without it, blind passion leads to destruction. The struggle between flesh and Spirit requires a will, reason, and conscience aligned with God's standards to govern our desires. Yielding to God in this matter allows us to glorify Him through moderation in all things and rigid resistance to sin, reflecting the image of our Creator as exemplified by Jesus Christ.