Blog for September 14th, 2026
Temperate: Mild, moderate, or free from extremes. Calm, cool and collective. Controlled, reasonable, restrained.
I was reading about the requirements for an “overseer”, someone who helps and watches over others as a noble task. A person in authority, who is above reproach, faithful to his wife, a good father, temperate, self-controlled, respectable. (1Timothy 3:1-2.)
As a person who has been involved in service work all of my recovery, I would say this passage describes the perfect trusted servant. But the key word that really struck me this time was temperate. I’ve given it much thought these past few days, and I added it to my list of spiritual principles. I am doing a deep dive into step twelve, and I have a long list going of spiritual principles. I’ve decided to focus on a couple each week with Love always, everyday at the top. But this temperate principle is a very interesting thing to me, because I do not think I was temperate when I first got clean. In fact I know I was not, at times, I pretended but I was always in a hurry, anxious and intolerant to others who were not on board with my needs and desires.
I was not self-controlled and certainly not respectable. Since I’ve gotten clean and been in recovery I am much more self-controlled and respectable at least 95% of the time. But temperate? That percentage drastically dwindles when I think of being Temperate. Lord knows I try, I pray and let go and let God all the time. Yep, that helps, but then, when I least suspect it, some jerk or idiot comes out of nowhere to challenge my temperance. It could be a crazy driver, an irate student, a disgruntled member in service work or a noisy, rude neighbor. Next thing ya know, I might lose my cool and say or do something not so spiritual.
I have heard of the historical Temperance Movement that started in the early 1800”s, but really built up worldwide steam in the early 1900’s. The Temperance Movement was simply asking for men especially to scale back on their drinking, as it was ruining families, jobs, life and the country. This led to the 18 & 19th amendment: AKA “Prohibition”, and women’s right to vote. Alcoholic beverages were banned from being manufactured, sold or transported. Enter the “Roaring Twenties”, about one hundred years ago. This law caused a whole lot of good boys to go bad. The crime of “alcohol” created its own underground, unlawful syndicates and crime families. However, this law was repealed December 5th, 1933, in the Twenty-First amendment.
All the people (mostly women) were asking for was that the alcohol drinker show a little temperate control. But, as you and I both know at this point in life, they can’t stop at just one. What a mess huh. Anyhow, that was a little sidestep into the history of the Temperance Movement. And I can’t leave this part without mentioning that my own grandfather outran and out swam the feds while transporting White Lightening, home made 100 proof hard liquor. They needed the money because the Depression had taken a toll on them all.
Now, back to the spiritual principle of being temperate, being self-controlled and reasonable, which we are not when we are high or drunk or wanting to be. I have had to learn to be temperate in all matters of life; like with my children and grandchildren, my relationship with my husband and friends. My mom, sisters and even on this day with my own brother who called me drunk. He does that from time to time, I had to cut him off after a while. I wish he would learn temperance at times.
I do try to be kind, respectful and keep my cool in difficult situations, I will pray and leave it with the Lord, whatever the issue is. I have come to see and believe that Temperance is a very cool thing to have, and I will continue to strive for it as I incorporate and apply spiritual principles in my life.
Question of the Week: How about you? Are you Temperant?
