Welcome to “Hart to Heart,” a space where we connect, reflect, and grow together in our faith journey. As your pastor, I am honored to share insights, stories, and biblical teachings that resonate with our daily lives. This corner is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of God’s word and its application in our community.
In “Hart to Heart,” you’ll find weekly reflections on scripture, discussions on pressing spiritual matters, and personal anecdotes that highlight God’s work among us. It’s my prayer that these messages inspire and encourage you, providing guidance and comfort as we navigate life’s challenges together. Let’s embark on this journey of faith, hart to heart, strengthening our bond with each other and with our Lord.
You may click on each of the underlined scripture references, if you wish to view the verse.
Hart to Heart:
12/17/2025
The Fruit of the Spirit – Temperance
The Fruit of the Spirit is singular, yet it comes in 9 wonderful flavors. What are they? Galatians 5:22-23
The word “temperance” refers to mastery over our own passions and desires.
Temperance is more than just SELF-Control, temperance is Holy Spirit control.
Question: How does a believer function in a dysfunctional world? The secret is: Holy Spirit Control!
The Fruit of the Spirit is “Love… & even temperance”
Here’s the secret – Galatians 5:16
And the good news is this: The Lord is at work producing “Temperance” in us right now!
The best picture of “temperance” any of us will ever see is the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is the embodiment of all 9 qualities, called the Fruit of the Spirit.
Be Very Careful Here! Listen Carefully Please!
The Lord Jesus is not just my example. He is my redeemer, my existence, my life!
I am not trying to imitate Christ. That is a small imitation of the real thing.
Christ is the Producer of the fruit. I am abiding in the vine. John 15:5
It is our privilege to (Galatians 5:16), and it is The Holy Spirit task to produce the Fruit of the Spirit in us.
The Apostle understood “temperance” as the Holy Spirit Discipline. I Corinthains 9:24-27
The Apostle would sacrifice his own liberties and privileges so as to not be disqualified in the race.
In Galatians 5:16 The apostle reminds the believer -> Those walking in the Spirit will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
It will be the Holy Spirit who controls the believer’s passions & desires (temperance).
This is true because the strength and the power to control ourselves comes from the Spirit, not from our flesh!
The Holy Spirit empowers us to do things that are beyond us!
I ) Temperance – The Holy Spirit’s Control of your eyes.
Psalm 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes.
Listen: No amount of explanation or rationalization will convince others that what you did was harmless, non-consequential.
Job 31:1 We are told by biblical scholars this was a commitment to inner purity toward women. It doesn’t mean he refused to look their way.
II ) Temperance – The Holy Spirit’s control of your thoughts.
Everything starts here: this is the reservoir out of which all our words and actions flow.
Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”. To change our ways the Holy Spirit starts with the heart.
Example: This reminds me of my pastor J. C. Miller.
The Angry Letter
One day a church member came to the pastor with an angry letter written to a member who had accused him of favoritism. The man read pastor the letter which was full of sharp remarks, and the pastor told him it was a good letter and the member deserved it.
While the man, much gratified, was folding the letter up and putting it into its envelop the Pastor asked him, “What are you going to do with it now?”
“Why, send it, of course,” replied the man, looking blank.
“Don’t do it,” said Pastor.
“But you said it was just what he deserved,” answered the man.
“Yes, I believe he does deserve it but you don’t want to send such a letter written while you are angry. It has answered its purpose now burn it!” You confessed your sin.
I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.
III ) Temperance – The Holy Spirit’s control over your mouth.
A dirty mouth reveals a dirty heart!
Matthew 12:34-37 The problem of the mouth is the problem of the Heart.
What is down in the well comes up in the bucket!
The Curbside Portor and the Indignant Man
While checking his bags at the airport, a man became indignant with the employee, who handled luggage. For several minutes he belittled the young man, and criticized his every move. Surprisingly, the curbside porter didn’t seem troubled by the man’s verbal abuse. After the angry man entered the airport, a woman approached the luggage handler and asked, “how do you put up with such injustice?”
The young man said, “It’s easy. That guy is going to New York, but I’m sending his bags to Brazil.”
IV ) Temperance – The Holy Spirit’s Control of Your Actions
Listen:
Sow a thought – reap an attitude
Sow an attitude – reap a deed
Sow a deed – reap a habit
Sow a habit – reap a character
Sow a character – reap an eternity
Friend: It all began as a thought!
Question: Did you ever drive a vehicle with cruise-control, that little device that keeps the car at the same speed?
Do you need a spiritual cruise control? The good news – you have one Galatians 5:16
The Choice is Yours.
Unforgiveness?
No Apology!
Self-Control
James Fantroy was convicted of a crime while he served as a city council member in Dalas, Texas. Because Fantroy had kidney cancer and used a wheelchair, U.S. District Judge Ed Kinkeade told him he could choose between serving a month in prison or publicly apologizing for his actions. James Fantroy chose to serve a prison sentence rather than apologize.
When we choose to harbor bitter feelings or resentment towards another person, we think we are getting even with them, but in reality we are making ourselves prisoners.
V ) Temperance – the Holy Spirit’s Control of your temper
“Just Blowing Up.”
A Man once said, “There’s nothing wrong with losing my temper. I blow up, and then it’s all over.” (I have a short fuse)
“So does, a stick of dynamite, and look at the damage it leaves behind!”
He didn’t lose his temper – he found it!
Isaiah 26:3 – The remedy is not to focus on your temper, but to focus on The Lord.
The Truck Driver – Not much of a Man?
A truck driver stopped at a truck plaza and ordered a cheeseburger. As he was ready to eat, a motorcycle gang pulled up. One of the gang insulted him and ate his cheeseburger. The truck driver walked out of the restaurant. A gang member said to the waitress, “He’s not much of a man, is he?” She said, “he’s not much of a driver either. He just backed his 18 wheeler over 6 motorcycles.”
Temperance. The Holy Spirit’s Control of our Being!
Bad News, Good News!
Bad news! This fruit of the Spirit is not for everyone, God Haters and Christ Rejectors
Good News! The Fruit of the Spirit is available to anyone who will come to The Lord Jesus.
Pastor David Hart
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