Intemperance

Intemperance — the lack of self-regulation in appetites and desires, especially in eating and drinking — is condemned in Scripture as a failure of the self-governance that reflects the image of God and is required by covenant holiness. The OT addresses it primarily through prohibitions on drunkenness: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise" (Prov. 20:1); the extended portrait of the drunkard in Proverbs 23:29–35 catalogs its physical, moral, and social destruction. Isaiah pronounces woe on those who rise early to run after strong drink and stay up late until wine inflames them (Isa. 5:11). The same principles apply to food: Proverbs links gluttony and drunkenness (Prov. 23:20–21), and the charge against the rebellious son includes being a glutton and drunkard (Deut. 21:20). In the NT, Paul requires sobriety of church leaders (1 Tim. 3:2–3; Tit. 1:7–8) and commands all believers: "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18). The positive counterpart to intemperance is enkrateia — self-control, a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23) and a component of godly character (2 Pet. 1:6; Tit. 2:2). Intemperance ultimately reflects a disordered relationship with created goods — enjoying them outside the limits God set.