lone-shroom – We Love God!

The fear of God brings temporal and eternal benefits: 1. “The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He will make them know His covenant” (Ps. 25:14). 2. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them” (Ps. 34:7). 3. “The Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” (Ps. 103:13). 4. “The Lord favors those who fear Him” (Ps. 147:11). 5. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). 6. “The fear of the Lord prolongs life” (Prov. 10:27). 7. “The fear of the Lord leads to life, that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil” (Prov. 19:23). 8. “The reward of humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor and life” (Prov. 22:4). 9. As David says to the Lord, “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You” (Ps. 31:19). Clearly, fearing God is to your great advantage.

Daryl Wingerd

As it pertains to temperance (Tit. 2:2), we are talking about someone who is sober in thought, even-keeled and moderate. Young people tend to be emotional and impulsive, but the mature saint should have learned stability, consistency and balance. Men who lack temperance are seen bouncing in and out of ministry, constantly changing jobs. Life is a continual roller-coaster of extremes, overreactions, unstable relationships, inconsistencies and faithless living. On the contrary there is a steadiness to a temperate man. He prays and waits on the Lord to save making a foolish or rash decision. He doesn’t overreact to problems. He is self-controlled. He recognizes the hills worth dying on. He thinks before he speaks. He avoids false excitement but also refuses to be paralyzed by sorrow. He wisely controls his money, feelings and words. He is not tossed here and there by every comment he hears off the lips of another. He knows how to ride out the storms of life.

Randy Smith

Fly from all occasions of temptation, and if still tempted, fly further still. If there is no escape possible, then have done with running away and show a bold face and take the two-edged sword of the Spirit. Some temptations must be taken by the throat as David killed the lion; others must be stifled as David hugged the bear to death. Some you had better keep to yourselves and not give air. Shut them up as a scorpion in a bottle. Scorpions in such confinement die soon, but if allowed out for a crawl and then put back into the bottle and corked down, they will live a long while and give you trouble. Keep the cork on your temptations, and they will die of themselves.

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