08/28/11 WHAT IS YOUR TEMPER?
Temper is like temperature, we all have one. The question is not, "IF we have a temperature," because we do, even when our temperature is healthy.
Temper is like temperature, we all have one. The question is not, "IF we have a temperature," because we do, even when our temperature is healthy.
Likewise, the question is not, "IF we have a temper," but rather is our temper healthy (Christ like)?
Thus the passage, "Be angry and sin not." Be careful not to, "lose your temper" in SINFUL DISPLEASURE, and be careful not to, "lose your temper" to COMPLACENCY.
Don't excuse sinful anger and don't falsely accuse righteous indignation. Remember, "temper" adds both strength and moderation.
THE BALANCE...
It takes an obedient believer with a pure heart to keep his temper under control. This is possible because God enables us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4
(4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
(5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
The unsaved cannot control themselves completely. However, Christians are partakers of Divine nature, and when our new nature is empowered by the Holy Spirit, we produce the Fruit of the Spirit, which includes SELF CONTROL (Ga. 2:23-24). Therefore Christians have Divine power to control themselves, whether it concerns love, anger, fear or whatever.
Controlling ourselves is not to be confused with controlling the Old Man (sinful nature, carnal mind). No one can control the carnal mind, since it is not subject even to the law of God (Ro. 8:7). God's answer to the carnal mind is not control, but crucifixion, death (Ro. 6:6).
Here are other verses that address Christians and self control (temperance).
Acts 24:24-25
(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.
(25) And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
(24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(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.
Titus 1:7-9
(7) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
(8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
(9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:1-2
(1) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
(2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2 Peter 1:4-10
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(5) 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;
(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
(8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
THE BALANCE...
It takes an obedient believer with a pure heart to keep his temper under control. This is possible because God enables us to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4
(4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
(5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
The unsaved cannot control themselves completely. However, Christians are partakers of Divine nature, and when our new nature is empowered by the Holy Spirit, we produce the Fruit of the Spirit, which includes SELF CONTROL (Ga. 2:23-24). Therefore Christians have Divine power to control themselves, whether it concerns love, anger, fear or whatever.
Controlling ourselves is not to be confused with controlling the Old Man (sinful nature, carnal mind). No one can control the carnal mind, since it is not subject even to the law of God (Ro. 8:7). God's answer to the carnal mind is not control, but crucifixion, death (Ro. 6:6).
Here are other verses that address Christians and self control (temperance).
Acts 24:24-25
(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.
(25) And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
(24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(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.
Titus 1:7-9
(7) For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;
(8) But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;
(9) Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Titus 2:1-2
(1) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
(2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
2 Peter 1:4-10
(4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
(5) 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;
(7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
(8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
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