Temperance

SUN., SEPT. 27, 1987, 5:37 AM
FARM, STUDY

Temperance is a concept and a set of behaviors that are associated with My Church. The spirit of temperance was, originally, moderation, or a gentle, non-harmful balance of doing and not doing that constituted healthy behavior. In relation to drinking beverages containing alcohol, however, temperance became abstinence because, as you have experienced, drinking escalates. Judgment about what is “temperance” changes after even some moderate drinking, and good judgment is a necessary aspect of temperance.

Thus, temperance can involve a rhythm from moderation to abstinence, with the criterion being “what happens?” or “what is healthy?” or “how do you function?” In relation to drinking you need to invoke that rhythm from time to time as your consumption escalates. Gently drop back to none for a time, and then add one here… and another there. Then when you’re drinking too much again…

On the other hand, let’s apply temperance to receiving these Teachings. In Our “plan” the temperance concept means three or four Teachings a week. This requires a moderate amount of discipline and gives you a moderate amount of learning that is available in no other way. When these diminish to one or two a week, for no good reason (and there finally is no good reason) then I exact a commitment from you, and temperance escalates to excess… one a day. When this pattern has prevailed for a time then temperance can again mean moderation.

I urge on you a temperance model for Scripture reading. Your abstinence is unhealthy, so I urge some each day, without excess, with some pattern. I’ll let you develop the details, but set some style that is comfortable and yet regular. In this sense abstinence is not appropriate temperance.

You recall the verse from the Revelations that has Me telling you to be either cold or hot, for the lukewarm I spew out of My mouth. This is truth, but not universal. In some situations and circumstances temperance shall mean one extreme or the other and not a recommendation for a wishy-washy middle ground. Again, the criterion is “how do you function as a full, spiritual person?”

So you see that temperance is a good by definition and then is defined differently for the range of circumstances in which it applies. If temperance is a good it should be helping to produce good in the lives of individuals and of those each individual touches. If the result is not enhancing spiritual growth, service to others and to Me then the behavior that is temperance needs to be changed… not in a set direction but toward that which best restores good.

You have much to accomplish in the few days that remain in this month. Temperance shall have to include some doses of excess, and these excesses shall have to be balanced with some moderation and some abstinence. And if you can’t accomplish as you would wish, be satisfied with what you can do, in temperance.