Virtue in LOTR - Temperance

Titus 2:11-13 and Bilbo and Frodo
Temperance is self control and keeps us from excess. If we are temperate then we have the virtue of mastering our desires and passions. In particular, as Christians, our sin nature is suppressed by our redeemed nature. Temperance is often translated self control and it is one of the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Temperance is not necessarily abstinence. We commonly equate temperance with abstinence but self control is a much larger issue and abstinence is not even necessarily temperate. We see a tragic corruption of temperance in anorexia and bulimia. We can exalt abstinence in an intemperate way. Fasting is directed by Scripture and even has specified purpose in outreach and in blessing others. Fasting is not intemperate since God calls us to it in a prescribed manner. However, fasting could be intemperate when conducted in a manner contrary to that prescribed by God. For example, if fasting is practiced to manipulate God or if a person uses fasting as a way to feel better than other people then even fasting would not be temperate but rather a means of feeding your sin nature. You would be indulging your sin nature.

In the Lord of the Rings I think we have to name Bilbo and Frodo as examples of temperance almost by definition. The one ring to rule them all corrupted absolutely and yet Bilbo carried the ring for an extended period of time and yet gave it to Frodo without violence. The Hobbits as a race were not necessarily temperate. Smeagol or Gollum showed a remarkable intemperance when confronted with the ring and killed for the ring after only a few minutes. Tolkien also played with the lack of temperance in Merry and Pippin. They were often somewhat intemperate but don’t confuse intemperance with honest enjoyment. When I’m temperate in my food intake I have a greater enjoyment of my food than when I’ve been intemperate. Temperance doesn’t reduce our enjoyment it increases it. Feeding our sin nature does not result in greater satisfaction but the enemy of your soul would have you believe that temperance destroys pleasure.

Frodo was chosen for the task of bearing the ring. Gandalf was very suspicious of the ring but wasn’t absolutely sure about the nature of the ring until about the time of the transfer from Bilbo to Frodo. About that time Gandalf realized what was at stake and that time was short. Frodo’s self control is demonstrated repeatedly.

Frodo was aware of the danger of losing the ring to someone like Boromir who was remarkably intemperate and yet Frodo offered the ring freely to Galadriel one of the most virtuous individuals in the LOTR. The offer was a test for Galadriel and she commented that she had passed the test. Galadriel was already a ring bearer. She was wearing one of the rings given to the Elves but the Elves are particularly virtuous and only a step below creatures like Gandalf. The temperance of Faramir is remarkable since the ring was within his grasp and he didn’t grasp it. His temperance is all the more remarkable lack of temperance in his brother Boromir and his father the Lord of Gondor (We’ll discuss them at greater length next week). Frodo and Sam’s interactions with Faramir repeatedly demonstrated his prudence and temperance. He was able to tell that the ring of power was within his grasp but his prudence and temperance kept him from trying to take it.