Commandments of Temperance

The Commandments of Temperance.—(a) Negative Precepts.—In the Decalogue the vices of intemperance that are most directly opposed to the love of God and the neighbor (I Tim., i. 5) are expressly forbidden, namely, adultery in act and adultery in desire. Elsewhere other sins are forbidden. Thus, drunkenness (“Drunkards shall not possess the kingdom,” I Cor., vi. 10), every kind of lust (“The works of the flesh are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury ... those who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom,” Gal., v. 19, 21), anger (“Let all bitterness and anger and indignation be put away from you,” Eph., iv. 31), pride (“God resisteth the proud,” James, iv. 6), etc.

(b) Affirmative Precepts.—The positive modes of observing temperance (i.e., rules on fasting) are not prescribed in the Decalogue. For the law confines itself to general principles that, are of universal application, whereas the manner of practising fasts and abstinences has to be suited to conditions of time and place. Hence, it pertains to the Church to settle by her legislation the details of mortification in eating and drinking, so that they may be suited to the ever-changing conditions of human life (2469).