“Temperance or self-control is one of the fruits the Holy Spirit brings when He indwells believers (Galatians 5:22). It is impossible to live godly lives and please the Lord without self-control because our flesh wants only to please itself (Romans 7:21–25). Romans 13:14 warns us to “make no provision for the flesh and its lusts.” However, some people mistakenly believe that temperance means we can dabble in sin as long as we are not overcome by it. That’s not what this verse says. It implies that along with temperance we exercise caution and wisdom. When we desire to please the Lord, we will stay far away from anything that has the appearance of evil. Living temperate lives does not mean we can commit sin as long as it is only a little bit.” gotquestions.org
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." - 1Co 9:27 KJV
"And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;" - 2Pe 1:6 KJV
I. We are to have temperance in pleasure
"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich." - Pro 21:17 KJV
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." - 1Jo 2:16 KJV
II. We are to have temperance with our tongue
"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." - Jas 3:2-8 KJV
