TEMPERANCE MATTERS (Part 1) “The Value of Self Control”

TEMPERANCE MATTERS (Part 1) “The Value of Self Control”

2 Peter 1:3-7 NLT

3  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have

received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his

marvelous glory and excellence. 

4  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These

are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption

caused by human desires.

5  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with

a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 

6  and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient

endurance with godliness, 

7  and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

Hierarchy of Christian Maturity

a. Moral Excellence

b. Knowledge

c. Self-Control (Temperance)

d. Patient Endurance

e. Godliness

f. Brotherly Affection

g. Love for All

I. FACTS ABOUT SELF CONTROL

1. It’s a biblical virtue

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

26  Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats

the air. 

27  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached

to others, I myself should become disqualified.

2. It drastically improves your life

People who have better control of their attention, emotions, and actions are

better off almost any way you look at it. They are happier and healthier. Their

relationships are more satisfying and last longer. They make more money and go

further in their careers. They are better able to manage stress, deal with conflict,

and overcome adversity. They even live longer. Self-control is a better predictor

of academic success than intelligence, a stronger determinant of effective

leadership than charisma, and more important for marital bliss than empathy.

3. Self-Control is like a muscle that gets stronger as you use it

Studies have found that committing to any small, consistent act of self-control

can increase overall willpower.

4. Self-Control is a function of the Pre-Frontal Cortex

a. Upper Left Region– “I Will” (Task) Helps us to keep doing the boring stuff.

b. Upper Right Region– “I Won’t” Keeps you from following every impulse.

These areas control what we do.

c. Lower Middle Region- Keeps track of your goals and your desires. It

remembers what you really want.

5. Self-Control and well-being are connected

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send

portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord.

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength

a. Blood Sugar Levels

b. Rest

c. Energy Levels Etc.

d. Stress Levels

II. HOW TEMPTATION WORKS IN THE BRAIN

1. The Promise of Reward

a. Dopamine Rush – Doesn’t create happiness itself, more like arousal (alert,

captivated)

b. Recognize the possibility of feeling good but doesn’t bring satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 1:8

All things are full of labor; Man cannot express it. The eye is not satisfied with

seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity

and grasping for the wind

John 4:13-14

13  Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 

14  but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the

water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up

into everlasting life.”

a. Your brain launches a neurotransmitter called dopamine from the middle of

your brain into areas of the brain that control your attention, motivation, and

action.

b. Threat is not outside, it’s only inside. You need to use will power to arrest

the internal impulses. Threat is inside.

2. Pause and Plan

The pause-and-plan response drives you in the opposite direction of the fight-or-

flight response. Instead of speeding up, your heart slows down, and your blood

pressure stays normal. Instead of hyperventilating, you take a deep breath.

Instead of tensing muscles to prime them for action, your body relaxes a little.

The pause-and-plan response puts your body into a calmer state. The goal is not

to paralyze you in the face of internal conflict, but to give you freedom.

a. Perceive problem as an internal conflict not an external threat

b. Slow down, do not speed up by impulse as in fight or flight

c. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system (Slows the body down)

3. Embrace Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13

11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to

be content: 

12  I know how to  [a] be abased, and I know how to  [b] abound. Everywhere and in all

things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to

suffer need. 

13  I can do all things through  [c] Christ who strengthens me.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

6  Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 

7  For we brought nothing into this world,  [a] and it is certain we can carry nothing

out. 

8  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 

9  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many

foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 

10  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed

from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many

sorrows.