Is the LORD at ease with your temperament
... or do you cause HIM to blush at times? Are there occasions in
the mall of humanity, where HE is embarrassed by your childish
antics? "But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
You can think of how HE would react to you, were HE in the room
with you, but that is sore in lack; for HE rooms within you, and
the personality you display is not how others view you, but HIM.
"Let "
... is an aorist imperative command in the passive voice;
indicating that the medal winners in this spiritual event can
hold their title only as long as they keep their focus on the
ONE WHO hands it out.
"moderation"
... in its original form, is translated only five times in one
form or another in the entire Bible; as further indication of a
rare concept, depicting an equally rare quality of spirit among
believers.
"To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing
all meekness unto all men." To speak your mind
in a given situation is no great feat, but merely the vent of
the natural man. To speak
HIS mind, however is supernatural.
"But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever
shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also."
In the societal stench of arrogance in which we find ourselves, particularly
in the church, to exhibit moderation is the proverbial:
breath of fresh air.
"Be
ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the
LORD draweth nigh."
To think that at any moment, that SPIRIT of HIS,
would move from within to materialize before our face, should be
motivational to the max!
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to GOD."
The caveat
that is in order here though, is to beware of being moderately
truthful.
"Am I therefore become your
enemy, because I tell you the truth?"
JESUS was the meekest WHO
ever walked, but HE was also the truest WHO ever talked; and
when needful, the Sword of the SPIRIT cut like a knife toward
the rebellious scoffers HE regularly encountered. The LORD
is not in need of our clever apologetics; but rather a sincere,
straightforward witness which doesn't intentionally shake the
chips ... but if they do fall, they fall where they may. A
tempered temperance is a tension found only upon one's knees.
"And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all
things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an
incorruptible."