Veronica E. Williams
Cultivating Temperance/Self-Control
How ripe is your fruit? Is your fruit spoiled, rotten, blemished or bruised? Is your Spirit bearing good fruit? Does your walk as a Christian resemble good fruit? Are you personally growing in your Spiritual fruit? Most of us have heard all about the fruit of the Spirit that changes hearts, families, and friendships, in addition to the fruit that desires the best for everyone.
But let’s talk about Temperance. What do we know about Temperance? Temperance is better known as Self-Control. No matter which word you use, Temperance or Self-Control, it is the working of the Spirit that enables us to control or master our complete self. Basically, it keeps the self in check. What must we do to keep the self in check?
We have to remember that practicing Temperance helps restrain the self. It does not say or do what comes to mind. The slogan “if it feels good do it, does not apply when we use restraint.
You make a constant effort to crucify the sinful nature. Christ will never accept those who yield to sin. Christ was our greatest example by showing the Spirit of Christ is a privilege. Our behavior has to be agreeable to this privilege by the evidence of good principles and practices. It says, “NO!” to self. When we have self-control, we will not yield to temptation; those things that tempted us when we were in our sinful nature, should not be appealing to us now that we are new creatures in Christ.
It does not indulge itself by satisfying the self. You will not participate in sin, whether it is gossiping, arguing, or indulging in ungodly thought.
The fruit of temperance or self-control is powerful and essential to the Christian life. God wants Spiritual fruit to be lived out in our lives. He tells us how he wants our life to look like or resemble, and what he wants others to see in us as we bear fruit of His Spirit in our life daily. Self-Control is to give spiritual energy that fuels the fruit of all the Spirit. None of the fruit can stand-alone.
What is the difference between spoiled and good fruit? When fruit is spoiled, it is bitter, its aroma is not pleasing. Therefore, it is not appetizing to even want to eat it. The Word of God in James 3:11 talks about Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? You know what’s bitter. Talking ugly, looking ugly just like you not representing anybody of significance. Examples are in verse 14 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Your true fruit should be distinguished. You either are going to represent good or bad fruit.
Good fruit looks good inside and out. The appearance is going to show. Even if someone is old, they look good because they are walking in the Spirit. They become examples of 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.” You can tell they are walking in the Word that resembles Christ-like attributes.
Temperance brings God’s victory in life’s more challenging moments. No matter what’s going on in your life, it’s good. For Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. “all things work together for our good, to those that are called according to His purpose. So remember, of all the things we wear, your expression is the most important. When you get upset with someone, you start twitching and going on, you don’t have to scream out, we can stand on Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” You know your life as a Christian must represent God working in you, and the results are shown on the outside. May God bless you as we continue to live out His Fruit of the Spirit.
Cell Phone vs. Bible
I wonder what
would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones.
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it
What if we flipped through it several times a day
What if we used it to receive messages from the text
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it
What if we gave it to kids as gifts
What if we used it as we traveled
What if we used it in case of an emergency
What if we upgraded it to get the latest version
It’s just something to think about
Something to make you say hmmmmm, and where is my Bible?
Author Unknown
Watch Your Thoughts
Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power
packed with faith, hope, love and action. Don't be afraid to believe that
you can have what you want and deserve.
Watch your Thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your Habits, they become character.
Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.
Author Anonymous
THE ROAD TO SUCCESS
The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, a loop called Confusion, speed bumps called Friends, red lights called Enemies, and caution lights called Family. You will also have flats called Jobs. But, if you have a spare called Determination, an engine called Perseverance, insurance called Faith, and a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called Success.
(Author Unknown)
U.N.I.T.Y.
"The Unity of Women"
U- UNIQUE (She is fearfully and wonderfully made. She's The Designer's Original. There is no other like her, and there will never be another like her.) She's Unique.
N – NURTURING (She's gifted with a maternal instinct to CARE, take CARE and be CARED for. She's always helping, caring and looking after someone else.) She cares!
I- INNOCENT (She's innocent and unaware of her innocence. That's why her Creator made sure everything she needed to cover and protect her was intact before her creation. She is to be covered and protected at ALL times.) She's Innocent.
T- TRUSTING (She was created to be a "HELPMATE", to come alongside because she CAN BE TRUSTED to do just that and much, much more.) She can be Trusted.
Y- YIELDING (She is passive and submissive, she easily gives in when her heart is captured, even when it's not in her best interest.) She Yields.