4th Query: Believing our bodies to be the temple of God, are we concerned to attain a high level of physical and mental health? To this end are our lives examples of temperance in all things? Do we avoid and discourage the use and handling of intoxicants, tobacco, and improper use of drugs?

I exercise regularly and generally eat nutritiously. I avoid and discourage the use and handling of intoxicants, tobacco, and improper use of drugs except that, since my wife is not a Friend and does not feel called to avoid all use of alcohol, I sometimes inadvertently handle her wine bottles or glasses. I pray for and welcome the power of Christ to maintain the sexual purity of my thoughts to match that of my body and I encourage others to do likewise.

Our “temperance” is not to strengthen our wills to preserve and glorify the body for its life in the world for a time. It is to submit our wills to Christ’s, to prepare and humble our souls for its life in Him for eternity.