Our standard of excellence is Jesus Christ. The more we resemble him in our actions and attitudes, the more we become the kind of people God created us to be. This isn't just head knowledge. The Greek term, gnosis, refers to practical knowledge, a commonsense approach to applying Bible principles in our daily circumstances. This kind of knowledge does not come automatically.
Temperance is self-control.
Nothing is to be our master except Jesus Christ, not work, sex, food, or any of those things that can so easily take over our lives. Self-control means that, with God's help, we can live a more balanced life, even in a world where overindulgence is promoted as the highway to happiness. Paul in his letters often compared the Christian to an athlete who must exercise and discipline himself if he ever hopes to win the prize. Patience is perseverance. Even though the load of difficulties and distresses in our lives weigh heavily on our shoulders, we stand our ground.