I AM Temperance

BY REV. DORAL PULLEY

• Scripture – “He that rules his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city (Proverbs 16:32).”
• Denial – “I AM not dependent on anyone or anything to control me.”
• Affirmation –“I AM living a holistically healthy, balanced and well-rounded life.”

Temperance is the ability to maintain balance. One of the images for balance is the scale. In biblical times, some merchants were dishonest and they tipped the scales in their favor thus cheating people out of their goods and services. This practice was not pleasing to God nor the people who were affected by this dishonest gain.  “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord but a just weight is his delight (Proverbs 11:1).” God desires that we live holistically healthy, balanced and well-rounded lives. The I AM always calls us back into balance.

Temperance is self-control. The I AM empowers us to control ourselves. We cannot control others. As stated in the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change (others), the courage to change the things that I can (myself) and the wisdom to know the difference.”

The Proverbs speak a lot about self-control. “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32).’ Many people talk about taking the city for Jesus but until we can take control of our own lives, how can we take the city? “He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls (Proverbs 25:28).” Despite persecution and pain, Jesus demonstrated a lot of self-control on the cross. Like Jesus, I AM lives in us and we have the ability to control our thoughts, our words and our actions.

Reflection Question – Is there any area of your life that is out of balance? If so, how can you use the I AM to bring about balance?

Rev. Doral Pulley is the senior pastor of Unity of Midtown, 511 Prescott St. S, St. Petersburg.