After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. -- Acts 24:24-26

Nothing stirs our sense of excitement more than dropping our inhibitions and letting go into reckless abandon: 

• devouring an entire bag of tortilla chips with seven layer bean dip -- or even better -- an entire double chocolate fudge cake

• enjoying the thrill of meeting a complete stranger in a bar, connecting in so many ways (we love the same bands!) and finding yourself spending the night together

• treating yourself to a shopping spree or a spontaneous European vacation for the 7th time this year

• dropping the nice guy facade and telling your coworker how you really feel, in the most explicit, expressive and somewhat violent way

It just feels good. Worrying about rules and restrictions, not embarrassing your mother and father, and thinking about God's judgment ... that doesn't feel good, or so says the little devil on our shoulder. 

God calls us to rise above our human cravings and escape mechanisms so that we will be prepared to be in His presence. He wants us to be free from the slavery of worldly addictions. In reality, most of us allow ourselves to become distracted in ways that lead us away from God, instead of toward Him.

In this study, we'll explore the concept of temperance (self-control): what it is, why it's important, what God says about it, some key areas we must control and how ultimately temperance glorifies God.