Rev. Cyril A. Stevens – Sermon 0156AB recorded on April 2, 1980 teaching on Discovering Temperance – Self Control.
Pastor Cyril A. Stevens explores the vital necessity of self-control as a foundational “fruit of the spirit” that preserves the integrity of an individual’s life and community. He structures his teaching around four core principles—carelessness, carefulness, publicity, and restraint—illustrating how personal failure to govern one’s own appetites can cause widespread damage to families and nations alike. Through a series of practical anecdotes regarding gluttony and parenting, Stevens argues that true temperance involves restricting the body’s impulses and maintaining a constant, sober watch over one’s behavior. Stevens challenges believers to pursue a disciplined lifestyle that reflects the character of Christ, warning that even a minor lapse in self-governance can lead to a total collapse of one’s marriage, career, or testimony.