Self-control (2)

(From devotionals at work)

"...make every effort to supplement your...knowledge with self-control..." 2 Peter 1: 6

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." -Hebrews 5:14

Last time we looked at the concept of self-control in 2 Peter 1:6. Now we want to look at how it relates to the foundational knowledge that precedes it.

First, how can knowledge become distorted if it is not balanced and contained by self-control? Perhaps a military analogy will help. Simply put, knowledge is training; the use of self-control is war. Without the practical experience of overcoming deceit and temptations, knowledge is powerless, immature, and untested.

Let's push the analogy a bit further. There are three Greek words that relate to maturity and experience. One is holos, meaning "whole," or "entire." A raw recruit meets this qualification; he is relatively healthy and has all his parts. This corresponds to what we've said about faith and virtue in the Christian. Another word is artios, meaning "prepared" or "trained." This corresponds to the Christian's study and growth in knowledge. And finally, there is the Greek word teleios, which means "mature" in the sense of fulfilling one's purpose. Using the military analogy, this word describes a battle-hardened veteran.

Another way to say this is that knowledge that is not tested does not fulfill the purpose--in this case, the ability to withstand sin and temptation.

Lastly, there is a reverse problem. To attempt to overcome the assaults of the enemy without learning from the Scriptures and from other Christians can produce a fruitless asceticism, and worse, the deep discouragement that comes from failure in Christian warfare. Failure should drive us back to the Bible, to prayer, and to the counsel of the church.