Temperance, Moderation, Self-Control – What Difference Does it Make?

What is temperance?

Is it moderation in all things? Can I smoke moderately and still be tmperate?

Is it self-control? How much control do I have over myself? The Bible tells me I can do nothing good in and of myself. (John 15:5).

Some would say, the basic definition of temperance is avoiding that which is harmful and using in moderation that which is good. Can we do that?

Temperance touches every aspect of our lives.

• Temperance is having work-life balance.

• Temperance is going to bed according to the body’s natural rhythm.

• Temperance is doing those things that are good for your health, and not those things that are bad or even good and bad at the same time.

• Temperance is not doing things in excess.

• Temperance is eating the right foods, at the right time, in the right amount, and not overeating.

• Temperance is Cooperating with God to have Godly control and balance in all things: avoiding that which is harmful and using in moderation that which is good. But we can’t do that on our own; it is only with Godly control, Christ in us, that we can be temperate in all things.

Therefore, temperance doesn’t only apply to food, drink and addictive substances but is applicable and needful in every life situation. Humanity lost temperance when Adam and Eve indulged intemperance by partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3). That intemperate act spiraled our race into the enemy’s net of deception and woe. But Jesus came to empower us to cooperate with Him and regain Godly control and temperance, through His Spirit (Genesis 3:15; John 10:10; Galatians 5:22-23).

According to Genesis 1, every day starts with a good night’s rest: “The evening and morning”.

What role does temperance play with proper rest and sleep? Everything depends on us entering into the rest of God. Temperance is going to bed according to the body’s natural rhythm. Going to bed at the same time each night and being asleep before 10 pm will help us have more quality sleep.

Temperance is getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine, morning, midday, and evening, to help the body set the circadian rhythms appropriately to enable us to get to sleep, stay asleep, and wake refreshed.

Temperance is drinking enough water in appropriate portions throughout the day, flushing out toxins throughout the day so the body does not have to work as hard at night to detoxify.

Temperance is casting down the enemy’s negative thoughts and insinuations and allowing God to surround us with an uplifting atmosphere and a positive attitude so we can go to bed with peace and experience refreshing rest.

Temperance is getting up off the coach to move and improve blood circulation so our sleep will be sweet (Ecclesiastes 5:12).

Temperance is choosing to eat God’s prescribed diet (plants in their natural state, Genesis 1:29; 3:18), eating an appropriate amount (approximately four cups of food, give or take a cup), at the right times.

Scientific research concludes, eating breakfast and lunch and skipping supper has been shown to be an effective plan for preventing and managing disease.¹

Research reported at the World Council Congress in Sydney, April 16, 1994, revealed eating two meals six hours apart and fasting the other 18 hours, reduced inflammation and risk of disease, including cancer.

Eating before bed:

Do you feel like you need food before bed? Consider for a moment how effectively you are digesting your food throughout the day. The call for food before bed is often rooted in the digestive organs having been too severely taxed throughout the day while attempting to dispose of unwholesome food forced upon the stomach too frequently, and in too great a quantity. If you are accustomed to eating before bed, try spacing meals at least four to five hours apart and not putting any food in your mouth during that time, so the stomach has time to digest the meal and rest before the next meal arrives. If a third meal is eaten, keep it light and several hours before going to bed – and see the difference it can make in your sleep.

Tobacco inhalation is shown to slow circulation and decrease oxygen to the cells. This in turn suppresses the body’s immune and nervous systems interfering with quality sleep and the nightly detoxification process. Because the body can put up with a lot of abuse before it throws out its first complaint, the effects are not felt immediately, and because they are not felt immediately the true cause of disturbed sleep and waking feeling groggy and unrefreshed is not ascertained. This can also be experienced by a non-smoker living with a smoker.

Alcohol: While alcohol may seem to help you sleep, its toxic effect on the liver does more damage than good. Alcohol not only adds to the workload of the liver it also suppresses liver function so it cannot detox easily. Thus, the immune system must compensate rather than building up and strengthening the rest of the body. If the liver is backed up and bogged down with daily toxic overload, it is less able to help you with allergic reactions and the invasions of germs and bacteria which can eventually give rise to disease. Alcohol might help you go to sleep, but it prevents restoration, rejuvenation and refreshment during sleep.

Coffee and caffeinated sodas suppress the body’s natural histamine response which initially suppress the body’s allergic reaction, but eventually there is a backlash because this causes the immune system to weaken due to inactivity. Caffeine does its unseen destruction, until one day, as if “all of the sudden” the body begins to fall apart. (The body does not throw out its first complaint until it is 70-90% compromised.) Caffeine also suppresses blood flow to the brain. This stimulates the adrenal gland for an entire 24-hour period to fight the emergency of decrease blood flow to our motherboard. Over time this leads to adrenal fatigue leading to tiredness, trouble sleeping, difficult waking up, brain fog, mood swings, food cravings, poor stress management, weakened immune system, low energy, blood pressure and weight challenges. Caffeine in any form on a regular basis is not your friend. We regularly offer a 10-day Kick-Start Cleanse. Those who insist on drinking caffeine during the cleanse never get the results they are looking for.

Sugar and Other Sweeteners greatly reduce blood circulation because these dehydrate and thicken the blood leading to restless leg syndrome because the blood is not getting to the small vessels in the lower extremities or hands may “fall asleep” at night or even during the day due to the reduced blood flow and dehydration. Sugar negatively excites the brain (reduces focus, increases fatigue), and suppresses the immune system. Just a few teaspoons of sugar inhibit the immune system from working properly. Sugar interferes with quality sleep at night.

God is offering us something better: It is called: Temperance! And Trust and Temperance are at the heart of the Ten Essentials for Health™! So then, just how important is temperance?

When Paul had an opportunity to talk with Felix (a Roman Governor) who had some interest in the spiritual realities Paul taught, Paul shared with him regarding “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.” Acts 24:25. Paul’s top three topics to discuss regarding Felix’s eternal salvation included temperance. Paul also lists temperance as a necessary fruit of the Spirit for every Christian  (Galatians 5:23). And Peter lists temperance in the process of Christian sanctification (2 Peter 1:6). Does temperance sounds pretty important to the Christian life?

Temperance allows us to enter into the rest of God for both our soul and for a good night’s rest.

Are you ready to cooperate with God and be trained in Godly Temperance?

Blue Skies,

Dana

Dana West, RDN, LD thrives on helping her amazing clients get a new lease on life by embracing health and conquering disease, living with renewed energy and enthusiasm, through learning to cooperate with God, Our Chief Physician.

If you’re desiring to improve blood glucose levels, energy, sleep, and craving time to unplug, clear your mind, refresh, and refill your spiritual cup – then join us for 14 days of deep immersion into better health, vitality and joy as you begin reversing diabetes, develop a deeper connection with God, and come back home with more energy, lower glucose levels, and a renewed passion for all you’re creating in your life.

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References:  Kahleova H and colleagues. Eating two larger meals a day (breakfast and lunch) is more effective than six smaller meals in a reduced-energy regimen for patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized crossover study. Diabetologia. 2014 Aug;57(8):1552-60. doi: 10.1007/s00125-014-3253-5. Epub 2014 May 18.