2 Peter 1:5 Discipleship Ladder #3 (Temperance/Self-control)

2 Peter 1:5

Discipleship Ladder #3 (Temperance/Self-control)

I.             The reality of life (Peter’s failures)

                a.            Inconsistent

                b.            Incompetency

                c.             Judgmental

2.            The ideal of “temperance.” (“self-control”)

                a.            Two ideas colliding:

                                1.)           Pleomexia (plea neksea) – “Ruthless self-seeking and arrogant  assumption that others and things exist for one’s own benefit.” (Ritenbaugh)

                                2.)           Egkrateia (eng-krat'-i-ah) – “The virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites.” (Thayer)

                b.            Virtue and knowledge leads to:

                                1.)           Mischief… sabotaging and undermining others. OR

                                2.)           Temperance (self-control)

3.            So what does “temperance” mean?

                a.            “Stability of mind and consistency of conduct.”

                b.            Wesley --  Christian temperance implies the voluntary abstaining from all pleasure which does not lead to God. … the due governance of every thought, as well as affection.”

(Ill.) “Everyone who competes practices self-discipline in everything. The runners do this to get a crown of leaves that shrivel up and die, but we do it to receive a crown that never dies.” [1 Cor. 9:25]

                c.             It means that we keep desire under control and passions in check.

4.            How is this to be accomplished?

                a.            Only under the sovereign rule of the Holy Spirit.

                                1.)           Sinful desire vs Holy Spirit

“People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. ⁶ The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. ⁷ So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. ⁸ People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.” [Romans 5:5 -- 8]

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” [5:13]

b.            We have a responsibility to Jesus…. Can we live carelessly?

“So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness.” [Romans 8:12]