The final element of the Fruit of the Spirit is temperance, sometimes referred to as self-control. These overlapping and interconnected elements include self-control, which allows us to avoid being overzealous or giving in to temptations. Our nine-week look at the elements of the Fruit of the Spirit started with love, and the final step brings us back to loving each other. 2 Peter walks the reader through a virtuous progression which culminates with love and included temperance in the process.
This is the final week of a long-prosecuted election season. In some ways this is a presidential election that started in 2016 and never ended. Along the way, most of us have witnessed a loss of temperance – likely in ourselves as well as others. As that season ends, hopefully we can come back together by exhibiting the Fruit of the Spirit.
2 Peter 1: 5-7
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
