Temperance — Devotional and Prayer — KJV Bible Study

Today, before the day carries you wherever it wants, take up the first rule: rule your own spirit. That is the greatest power a person is given — greater than capturing a city. You will meet a lawful thing that wants to master you, and an unlawful thing that wants to sell you; and the self-controlled person says no to both. Be sober. Stay alert. Keep your body under control, and make no room for the flesh. You do not need to be strong on your own, because self-control is a fruit of the Spirit — it grows on his vine, not on yours. Decide in your heart before the hour of temptation comes, the way Daniel decided before the king's food was set in front of him; and when the sin grabs your clothing, run, the way Joseph ran. What you let go of for his sake is a piece of clothing; what you keep is yourself. Grace teaches you to say no to ungodliness, and the self-controlled person runs for a crown that never fades away. Search it out.

Lord, you are the God who gives the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit is self-control; so I am not asking for my own strength, but for yours. Teach me today to rule my own spirit, which is a greater thing than capturing a city; make me slow to anger, and sober, and watchful, because my enemy is prowling around. Keep my body under control, and let no lawful thing become my master; let me make no room for the flesh, to satisfy its cravings. Set the purpose in my heart before the hour of temptation comes, the way Daniel decided ahead of time; and when sin takes hold of me, give me the feet of Joseph, to run and keep myself pure. And because the love of many people will grow cold, give me the self-control to hold on to the end and not grow lukewarm — keep me competing by the rules, so that I will not be disqualified, but receive the crown that never fades away. So teach me, by your grace, to say no to ungodliness and worldly cravings, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives, looking forward to that blessed hope. Amen.