Temperance: When and How much

Temperance: When you need to live

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”  This is our first duty, be mindful of our own actions that we may be able to honor God and assist our fellow man. God has given us a wonderful machine, the body temple, and it should be cared for in the best possible way that we may be able to do the greatest good, for which we are capable. Intemperance, in the truest sense of the word, is at the foundation of the many diseases that disrupt life today. Intemperance is not limited to the exclusion of intoxicating liquors but also includes substances that alter and/or excite the nature of the body’s functions. Therefore, true temperance teaches us to dispense with everything that is hurtful to the body, mind and soul, and to use judiciously that which is healthful. Unfortunately, few realize how their habits of diet affect their health, their character, their usefulness, and their eternal destiny. The eating of foods, even healthy foods, too frequently, or too many, or of richness, destroys the natural action of the digestive system, which in turn affects the mental abilities, causing changes in judgment, rational thinking, calmness, etc. We are to do our part, practice temperance in all things and the Lord will use our efforts for His glory. If we practice temperance in eating, in drinking, in dressing, in labor, and in all things, we will be able to do for ourselves that which no physician and his medications can do for us. “Know ye not, that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” God will not have to destroy us directly if we are indulging in intemperance, for eventually the body forces will become exhausted and will give out when overtaxed through intemperance. 

We must keep pure, to the best of our abilities, every physical and mental and spiritual ability within us. God desires for all who believe in Him to understand the necessity of this improvement. We are expected to live a pure, holy life. He has given His Son that we may reach this standard, who has made every provision available for man to live for God. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 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.” Think about the Olympics, the contestants in these races live in the most severest discipline in order to allow them to be fit them for their trial. Diets are simple, no luxurious foods or alcoholic products are taken into the body. These athletes study to know what is best to afford them health, and strength. Any indulgence would lead towards weakness, so shouldn’t we as Christians bring the body in subjection, to the control of enlightened conscience, a duty owed to God and our neighbors that all will have the blessing of physical and mental vigor. Therefore, food should be prepared in as simple a manner as possible, free from condiments and spices, and even from an undue amount of salt. Unfortunately, appetite today is not a good indicator of what the system needs. It has been over indulged and misdirected too often. We need to eat with purpose, eating what God has provided from the beginning; fruits, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and grains, in order to restore the body as much as we can.