Fri.’s Devo - Temperance and Patience

Read 2 Peter 1:6a

We are in the process of building the perfect man with God’s divine nature. Yesterday, we talked about faith, virtue,and knowledge. Today we are going to talk about temperance, and patience. Temperance is defined by Webster as practicing moderation; not indulging the appetites; abstaining from alcohol; moderate in one’s speech and actions; self-restraining. Temperance in the Greek means self-control. That is another reason why we should practice fasting. It is a discipline that teaches us that we can buffet our body and do without things we enjoy. There are so many ways we need to do this to grow in the Lord. The Devil will attack your time, your body, and your thoughts. If you want to win over his attacks then you practice discipline. You make a schedule and only let the Holy Spirit change it. Believe me, he will and that will be another lesson in temperance. We want to control our lives which is God’s dilemma because he wants to do that, but, if we practice temperance then at least we can get the Devil out of the equation. Which leads to the next characteristic which is patience. Webster defines it as the ability to wait or endure without complaint; steadiness, endurance or perseverance in performing a task. It implies the bearing of suffering, provocation, delay, tediousness, etc.with calmness and self-control. I might add that it means being able to navigate on a computer without wanting to hit the keys with more than a touch and say some words that you know you shouldn’t. Do we all need more of this? I know I do! The Greek for patience is cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy; patient waiting. That is what God was teaching Joseph while he waited in the dungeon on an innocent charge. He learned all these attributes which would be necessary for God’s next challenge of ruling a heathen nation. Everything we go through is to prepare us for the next step. If we procrastinate through the process then we prolong the promotion. We are learning patience as we get through these verses because we will have to finish this one Monday!

Lord, we want whatever it takes in our lives to grow us up into your divine nature. If it means going through suffering and buffeting to get there then so be it. I just thank you that your kindness brings us to repentence.