“…Be blameless… temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable…” 1 Timothy 3:2

Tempered

Glass is beautiful and serves so many purposes, but it suffers from a fatal flaw: it is easily broken and rendered useless.

There are two kinds of glass: normal (annealed) glass, and tempered.

In normal glass:

  • Microscopic cracks can literally spread faster than the speed of sound when stressed.
  • Drastic temperature changes cause the glass to shatter.
  • Breaks occur instantaneously in jagged, large, sharp shards that are dangerous and can cause grave injury.

However, that same glass can be treated (tempered) so it is stronger and more resilient. To temper glass, it is heated or put through a chemical process to strengthen it. In the process, the inner layers of the glass are contracted, creating surface tension that binds the glass together. The tempered glass’s reactions to stress are now controlled by inner forces. Because of the process it has gone through, tempered glass:

  • Is 4x stronger than it was untreated.
  • Can withstand impacts.
  • Can withstand drastic temperature changes.
  • Does not shatter into dangerous, jagged pieces.
  • Can be used in more applications.

Because of its resiliency, “tempered glass is used when strength, thermal resistance, and safety are important considerations.”*

In 1 Timothy, Paul is writing to Timothy a list of qualifications for leaders and servants in the church, and “temperate” makes the list. Looking at tempered glass, I realize why Paul felt it necessary to include temperance as an important character trait. I wouldn’t want untreated glass in the windshield of my car! But just as dangerous is the untempered life.

Temperate means “Showing moderation and self-restraint”** and also carries the idea that I am not ruled by passions or emotions. It is self-control practiced and learned.

Tempered believers have been treated to be able to withstand extreme conditions and whatever is thrown at them. When I allow myself to be tempered by Jesus, He deals with my inner self first, teaching me His ways and self-control. His work changes me on the inside, which tempers my responses on the outside. Because I am tempered, I am safe to be used by God in a variety of ways, because I am less likely to explode when something is thrown at me, or shatter at the speed of sound when trouble comes, injuring those around me.

Temperance doesn’t just happen by accident though. It is an intentional process, allowing the Holy Spirit to change me. It takes obedience to that still, small voice of conviction. It takes practicing self-control in all areas. But I cannot live a useful life, until I am living a temperate life. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to work on us, and practice self control.

Lord, teach me to recognize and obey Your voice and convictions. Teach me self-control Father, that I would not be mastered by anything except for You. Make me useful for Your purposes, Jesus, and forgive my sins. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

*“Tempered Glass.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempered_glass.
**“Temperate.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/temperate.