But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness,
godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (I Timothy 6:11)
Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His
judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness... (Zephaniah 2:3)TEMPERANCE
Temperance is moderation in emotions, thoughts, and actions. It is self-control. Temperance is
mastery in all things:
But I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(I Corinthians 9:27) (See I Corinthians 9:19-27).We are told to add temperance to our lives:
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience... (II Peter 1:6)Temperance was part of Paul's message of the Gospel:
And he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to
come... (Acts 24:25)
IMPORTANCE OF THE FRUIT
Jesus placed great emphasis on fruit bearing. In one parable He said:
A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought
fruit thereon, and found none.Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold these three years I
come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down: why
cumbereth it the ground?And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall
dig about it, and dung it:And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.
(Luke 13:6-9)Another time Jesus saw a fig tree which had no fruit: