“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness” (2 Peter 1:5-6).
Peter gives a perfect progression of growing up. I want to concentrate specifically on “add to your knowledge, self-control, and add to your self-control, perseverance.” You’re going to learn how to live as a Christian. You’re going to begin to get knowledge.
As you get knowledge on how you should live, you need to add self-control. In other words, start putting into practice the things that you know are right. This causes you to have self-control.
Now, the Bible wouldn’t tell us to have self-control unless the Lord knew that we could. He has given us the power to have control in our life. As we learn the Scriptures and how we should live, He gives us the power to live that way.
Saying you have no self-control is just as ridiculous as saying, “Well, I can’t control my bowels, I can’t control whether I go to the bathroom or not.” With a baby that is true, but as that baby grows, he learns to control it even though he didn’t know he could. The same is true about you.
As God teaches you things from a sermon or a book or from your own Bible study about how you should live, He expects you to take the power of the Holy Spirit that He’s put in you and begin to control that area of your life.
Make this commitment with me now:
“In Jesus name, I refuse to keep messing all over myself. I am going to add to what I know, and I’m going to start doing it. I’m going to start forcing my body and my mind and my lips and my life to do what I know is right because I know that I have the power to do it. Then I’m going to add perseverance to my self-control.
“I’m going to continue to have self-control and do what I know is right. I’m not going to do whatever my body wants to do. I’m not going to do what my sin nature wants to do anymore. Sure that’s what I’m naturally prone to do, but that’s not what I’m going to do because I know the right thing to do now. Just because it’s natural, doesn’t mean that is what I should do. I have the power to do the right thing. I’m learning to have self-control so that I don’t constantly have dirty pants the rest of my life as a Christian.”
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Ron Luce was the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries from 1986-2015. Ron and his wife Katie dreamed to raise young people who would change the world.
Ron received his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology from Oral Roberts University and his master's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa, along with an honorary doctorate from Jerry Falwell of Liberty University. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled to more than 60 countries and has made numerous media appearances, such as Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast, CNN, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC Nightline, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Sean Hannity Show. Ron has also written 35 books for teens, youth pastors, and parents and continues to speak at leaders' conferences helping parents and pastors understand the plight of today's youth and showing them how all of us can be part of the solution.
Ron and Katie currently live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their son Cameron. They have two daughters, Hannah and Charity.