“The fruit of the Spirit is temperance” (Gal. v. 22)
EMPERANCE is self control and self surrender. The strong man is the man that has yielded and been subdued. “Thanks be unto God that always leadeth us in triumph” is one version of the well known passage in Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians. To be able to say “no” to self and passion is real power. Power consists not in what we let out but what we keep in. But temperance is a fruit of the Spirit. It takes a stronger man than ourselves to conquer self. The Holy Spirit must take the reins and bring the inner world into subjection to His love and will. Then with one everlasting “no” to self and “yes” to God, the heart is poised and established in a life of peace, victory and power.