2 Peter 1:5-7 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

“Supplement … knowledge with self-control.” Divine Qualities “Supplement … knowledge with self-control.”

Self-Control In order to be "partakers of the divine nature," we must "supplement…knowledge with self-control." The Greek word means "power," "lordship" or "mastery" over self. It is not merely controlling self, but controlling self according to one’s knowledge of the word of God. It involves both moderation and abstinence, but also much more. "The various powers bestowed by God upon man are capable of abuse; the right use demands the controlling power of the will." (Vine)

Self-Control The demands of righteousness require self-control as the proper response to those demands.

Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

Self-Control The demands of righteousness require self-control as the proper response to those demands. Knowledge is logically prior to self-control, because "the right use" of "the various powers bestowed by God upon man" depends upon our ability "to distinguish good from evil."

Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Self-Control The demands of righteousness require self-control as the proper response to those demands. Knowledge is logically prior to self-control, because "the right use" of "the various powers bestowed by God upon man" depends upon our ability "to distinguish good from evil." However, "knowledge puffs up" (1 Cor. 8:1), so it must be supplemented with self-control.

The Need for Self-Control It is possible, however, for this "controlling power" to be impaired or usurped by: Emotions (anger, fear, hatred, shame, grief, loneliness, worry, even love) Social pressure (from family and/or peers) Habit-forming drugs (tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals) Desires (for food, sexual intimacy, money, employment, job and/or political advancement) Bad habits of the tongue (lying, cursing, offending, gossiping)

The Need for Self-Control If we are to maintain self-control, therefore, we must strengthen the "power of the will." This is done by sheer determination or “making every effort.” (1 Cor. 9:24-27). Each athletic contestant knows that only one person can win. When Paul says, "So run, that ye may obtain it," he seems to be implying that we ought to live our lives as if only one person were going to make it to heaven. Wouldn't this result in a great deal more effort on the part of every person?