2 Peter 1:2-11 Of these qualities that Peter exhorts the Christian to have, faith is the foundation. Faith comes as a direct result of learning about God (Rom. 10:17). Without faith, there can be no relationship with God (Heb. 11:6). Virtue is the desire for moral and spiritual excellence. To achieve this, we must have this deep, true knowledge of God’s will for our lives. Then once we have TRUE knowledge, we must APPLY it WITH discipline & self-control.

“To Knowledge Self-Control” ~ 2 Peter 1:6

Study Format We will consider Bible principles concerning the matter of “self-control” (or as the KJV renders it, “temperance”). We will illustrate how the Christian may incorporate this instruction into his/her daily life.

Self Control: ἐγκράτεια, egkrateia “Self control (especially continence): - temperance.” (Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries) “Self-control (the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites).” (Thayer’s Greek Definitions) “The ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.” (English definition) SYNONYMS are “self-discipline, restraint, willpower, composure.”

Acts 24:25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." (NKJV)

Historical Record of Felix Felix had previously been a slave, along with his brother Pallas. The two had become freedmen in the house of the mother of Emperor Claudius. Pallas became a favorite of the emperor and was made one of his ministers. He secured the post of procurator of Judea for his brother Felix in A.D. 52. The Roman historian Tacitus was very critical of Felix, saying, “With all cruelty and lust he exercised the power of a king with the spirit of a slave.” Feeling that his brother Pallas could protect him, Felix thought he was at liberty to be as cruel and unprincipled as he wished. (See Tacitus, Annals, Penquin Classics, p. 276.)

Historical Record of Felix Suetonius, another Roman historian, reports that Felix had three wives: Drusilla, princess of Mauritania; Drusilla, the daughter of Herod Agrippa I; and a third wife who is not named. (See Suetonius, Claudius, 28.) Felix ruled until his recall by Nero in A.D. 60. He lost his position as a noteworthy person with the execution of his brother Pallas in A.D. 63.

Acts 24:25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." (NKJV) Cf. 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Jas. 4:13-14; 17

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

2 Peter 1:5-6 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self- control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness (NKJV)

Self - Control We think we have the strength to overcome a variety of temptations, but we need to be wise enough to know when to cut certain things off (1 Cor. 7:5; Cf. Matt. 6:13; 26:42; 1 Cor. 10:12-13; 2Tim. 2:20-22). For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, 8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. 9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:7-9 (ESV)

Self-Control Life is all about CHOICES (Gen. 4:4-7; 2 Tim. 3:3). Exercising self-control among the unruly, certainly is a true sign of strength (Exod. 15-16; Num. 12:3; Heb. 11:25-26). Willing to address sin requires being outspoken. Yet, expressing righteous judgement also requires self-control (Num. 16:4). Exercising self-control is not limited to the principle of abstaining; but it also demands our following through -- TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT (Exod. 3-4)!

“To Knowledge Self-Control” There is a distinct relationship between the qualities Peter exhorts Christians to have (2 Pet. 1:5-7): Faith is the foundation. It comes as a direct result of learning about God (Rom. 10:17). Without faith, there can be no relationship with God (Heb. 11:6). Virtue is the desire for moral & spiritual excellence. To achieve this, we must have this deep, true knowledge of God’s will for our lives. Then once we have true knowledge, we must apply it with discipline & self-control. We must be steadfast, fully committed to the principles we have embraced. In ALL POINTS we must seek for the things esteemed by God, showing kindness to our brethren & showing love to all men.

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. (NKJV)