Man’s happiness is not in satisfying one’s desire but in restraining to greed. The one who can control greed is a wise person. Human desires are endless. Spiritual discipline is about putting the desire under control. Christianity does not condemn the desire. Its goal is not to eliminate the desire. The desire is also given by God. The real issue is about how to control and sublimate that desire. Person without a desire is not a human anymore. He had already died. To live is to desire. People live because of their appetite for food, and they love and get married because of their sexual desire. And they bear children. However, God did not give us sexual desire just for physical gratification sake. Sexual desire is given for conceiving and birthing a new life. In addition, it is because we have a desire for success that we learn, challenge, and accomplish.
Do not pray to God to take away your desire. It is an unscriptural prayer. It is an immature prayer. Rather, pray to God to reveal the desire which is in you. In some sense the desire is as hope, fire, passion, and energy in us. Knowing the desire inside of you means that you know yourself. Therefore, do not pray for removal of the desire, rather pray for the realization of the desire and for the ability to rule over the desire. Pray that you can use the desire and its energy for the holy work of God.
Temperance is knowing when to stop. Temperance is not exceeding the limit. The real power is a well-controlled power. It is a restrained power. If water in the dam is not held under control, it could lead to a huge tragedy. However, when water in the dam is under control, it can create electrical power. When we are better at temperance, we reach closer to freedom. A person who is moderate in eating and drinking is free from food. A person who can control one’s passion is free from desire. He will be able to overcome any temptation.
Temperance is conserving. It is conserving the energy. The issue is not a lack of the energy, but a misuse of the energy. Wasting precious energy is the issue. When do we waste our energy? Our energy is wasted when we worry about useless matters. Our energy is wasted when we mind other people’s business. Our power is wasted when we criticize and condemn others. Our energy is wasted when we struggle to receive praise and recognition from everyone around us. Conserve your energy. Let your energy be focused. Then the energy inside of us will become more intensive. Use this intense energy on doing good work.
Temperance is reserving word. Try to save your word a little. You will never lose from being silent. A person who reserves his word is the one who knows the power of the word. Temperance is holding back your anger. Do not be angry. Uncontrollable anger destroys himself and his neighbors. Avoid making important choice out of your anger. Temperance is making less promise. Carelessly made promise becomes a burden to us. Make promise that can be kept. This is wisdom. Temperance is treating matters preciously. Buy things that you only need. Try to spend less than what you earn. Abundance is not in earning a lot of money but in spending less money. Abundance is in giving thanks to what you are given and in enjoying them.
True freedom is sticking to do what is necessary and not doing what is unnecessary. True freedom is in temperance. Temperance is choosing the pain before you can enjoy the pleasure. Temperance is a fruit of the Spirit. It is impossible to bear a fruit of temperance only through man’s will and power. We need Holy Spirit’s help. For this reason, temperate heart is a holy heart. Temperate wisdom is the wisdom from God. I hope that you experience true freedom through the wisdom of temperance. I bless you, my loving saints of God.
Rev. Joshua Choon-min Kang, from the Pastorate
