But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 2 Peter 1:5-6
Faith, then virtue and knowledge
Then self-control.
The Greek is egkrateia.
It means gaining mastery over our sinful desires.
It is saying “no” to the self.
And … it is hard.
Culture celebrates indulgence.
“You deserve it. You’ve earned it.
Shouldn’t you be happy?”
Mountains of debt.
Prevalent obesity.
Widespread immorality.
Self-control is clearly not our strong suit.
But believers have help.
Self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit.
The Holy Spirit can give us the discipline we don’t have.
We have the freedom to serve God.
We can obey His instructions.
We can escape temptation.
We can exercise self-control.
If I have saving faith.
Then I should pursue moral excellence
I should diligently increase my knowledge of Christ, His words, and His character.
So then I should exercise the necessary discipline and self-control needed
To conform to His image.