A virtuous individual is an individual who acts virtuously. An individual acts virtuously if they “have and live the virtues.” 

A virtue is a moral character that an individual requires to live well ( Fruit of the Spirit; Love, peace, joy, patience, goodness, gentleness, meekness, faith, Temperance: against such; there is no law), Gal. 5:22-23.

What is Temperance?

Let us first ask ourselves what intemperance is to understand Temperance properly.

Intemperance?

Intemperance is the lack of moderation or restraint and excessive indulgence.

e.g., Excessive drinking of alcohol, doing anything in excess.

Gehazi lacked restraint; he disobeyed his master followed Naaman to collect the gift rejected by his master. Elisha cursed him and said, “the leprosy of Naaman will cleave unto thee and your family forever” (2 Kgs. 5:27). 

Temperance is the virtue that moderates our desires for pleasures and balances the use of things of this world. 

Also, Temperance is moderation in action, thought, or feeling; restraint.

It is considered a virtue (the moral character that a person needs to live well), a core value that is the same today as a hundred years ago.

Furthermore, Temperance is defined generally as control over excess, so it has many such classes, like abstinence, chastity, modesty, prudence(wisdom), self-regulation, forgiveness, and mercy; each involves restraining some impulse, such as sexual desire, vanity(pride, self-importance), or anger.

Chastity is abstaining from extramarital sex or sexual intercourse.

Modesty is the quality of being moderate or simple in estimating one’s capabilities.

What is self-regulation?

Self-regulation is the ability to understand and control your behavior and reactions to feelings and things around you. 

Having an underlying knowledge of yourself It is good to be awake and sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Daniel purported in his heart not to defile himself by eating the king’s food or drinking his wine. He did this to restrain him from breaking the law the Lord gave the Israelites when Moses was their Prophet (Daniel 1:8-16). 

Joseph exhibited self-regulation when he refused to sleep with Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-12). 

Self-regulation includes managing reactions to strong emotions like frustration, excitement, anger, and embarrassment.

Calm down after something exciting or upsetting. Remain focused!

Temperance and labor are the two finest physicians of humans; labor sharpens cravings(appetite, desires), and Temperance prevents excess indulgence. 

Whoever gathered many things did not have too much, and whoever gathered little things did not have too little (2 Corinthians 8:15).

Temperance in the old testament

The Old Testament focuses on the importance of Temperance, as seen in the Ten Commandments and the book of Proverbs. With their warnings against adultery and covetousness. 

Adultery?

A man who commits adultery lacks sense, but a man who is unfaithful to his wife destroys himself (Proverbs 6:32).

He is talking about abstinence completely from adultery. 

Covetousness?

Covetousness “is a greedy desire for worldly gain.” Covetousness is a greedy desire to discover satisfaction, significance, and purpose in worldly things instead of God.

The Spirit of covetousness leads to and is the mother of many other sins. 

Coveting another man’s wife leads to adultery (2 Sam. 11:4,5).

King David covets Beersheba, Uriah’s wife. He murdered Uriah.

Naboth was murdered because Ahab covets his vineyard.

Ahab asked Naboth if he would give him his vineyard. Naboth told him he would not give him his father’s inheritance. Ahab came to his home very upset about the situation. He lay on his bed and refused to eat. His Jezebel said, Why are you so sad that you eat (1 Kings 21:3).

Consequently, Jezebel arranged Naboth’s death, “…have them bring charges that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death” (1 Kings 21:10).

Covetousness leads to many other sins like adultery, murder, sadness, sorrow, anger, etc.

The New Testament reference Temperance as well, with forgiveness being central and self-control or discipline being one of the Fruits of the Spirit, which is Temperance in Galatians 5:23.