To be Temperate is to have moderation, self-control and not do things to excess. It is also to have control of one’s temper.  Being temperate applies to eating, drinking, habits that are addictive, including computer and game use. Intemperance (or too much of something) in anything  which causes an imbalance in a person’s life. This can apply even to such things as work and TV.  A temperate person will usually exhibit patience and will not “fly off the handle”. They will not react in an angry way to something that someone says or does. Anything that is extreme is not temperate. The dictionary states that temperance is: moderation, self-restraint, in speech, conduct, etc. especially in eating and drinking. The opposite of temperance or self control is self-indulgence. (Yield freely to ones desire).

The Bible has much to say about temperance.  The following texts are instructive.

2 Peter 1:5-6: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness....”

Philippians 4:5:“Let your moderation be known unto all men”

Ephesians 5:18: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”

Galatians 5:22-23:“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy........meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

1 Corinthians 9:25: “And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things....”

Matthew 23:25: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion (greediness) and excess (lack of self-control or self indulgence)”

On the secular front it is best to be suspicious of fads, quick fixes, get rich quick schemes, peer pressure, and so many other temptations.