Solid StepsSolid Stepsof Christianof Christian

GrowthGrowth

A Study of 2 Peter 1:1-11A Study of 2 Peter 1:1-11

God’s Call to Spiritual GrowthGod’s Call to Spiritual Growth

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear

much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast

down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. Psalm 37:23,24

Add to Your Faith Add to Your Faith VirtueVirtue

The Inner Strength To Do The Inner Strength To Do RightRight

2 Peter 1:52 Peter 1:5

Introduction to VirtueIntroduction to Virtue

Christianity begins with faithChristianity begins with faith in Jesus Christ, in Jesus Christ, but it doesn’t end there.but it doesn’t end there.

Everyone who comes to Christ comes only as Everyone who comes to Christ comes only as a wicked, condemned, lost sinner with the a wicked, condemned, lost sinner with the desperate need to find forgiveness and the desperate need to find forgiveness and the ability to live free from the power of sinability to live free from the power of sin

The next step after salvation, is the need to The next step after salvation, is the need to build up some strength against sin.build up some strength against sin.

Takes hard work (diligence) not easyTakes hard work (diligence) not easy We are commanded to meditate on We are commanded to meditate on virtuous virtuous

thingsthings (Philippians 4:8). (Philippians 4:8). Let’s find out what those kind of things are…Let’s find out what those kind of things are…

What is Virtue?What is Virtue? It is an old wordIt is an old word It is very rare traitIt is very rare trait (Pr 31:10) Not many people (Pr 31:10) Not many people

have virtuehave virtue

• ““Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.” knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.” David JordanDavid Jordan

• Virtue simply is doing things God’s way (Ps Virtue simply is doing things God’s way (Ps 18:30)18:30)

• Virtue is a strength - the ability to walk away Virtue is a strength - the ability to walk away from temptation (Philippians 4:13)from temptation (Philippians 4:13)

• The opposite of Virtue is The opposite of Virtue is ViceVice

It is the FIRST thing a Christian is to add to It is the FIRST thing a Christian is to add to their life as soon as they get saved!their life as soon as they get saved!

Illustration of a BalloonIllustration of a Balloon

Drink

Drugs

PornographyLust

BadLanguage

Sex

Lying

Stealing

Rebellion

A life shaped by the devil!

A life shaped bythe Holy Spirit of God

Real Men and Real WomenReal Men and Real WomenThe other word for virtue isThe other word for virtue is

FORTITUDEFORTITUDE• With men, With men, virtuevirtue is is

being MANLY, and being MANLY, and strong, and not a push-strong, and not a push-over, but full of back-over, but full of back-bone and resilience, bone and resilience, and grit and stamina and grit and stamina standing against what standing against what God says is wrong!God says is wrong!

• With women With women virtuevirtue is is being FENMINE, and being FENMINE, and strong in femininity strong in femininity (not a pushover), but (not a pushover), but full of conviction and full of conviction and discretion, standing discretion, standing against the world’s against the world’s pressures to sin!pressures to sin!

Examples of VirtueExamples of Virtue Job 31:1; Psalm 101:3 – taking control of Job 31:1; Psalm 101:3 – taking control of

your eyesyour eyes Ruth 3:11 – Resisting the temptation to just Ruth 3:11 – Resisting the temptation to just

marry anyone – Ruth waitedmarry anyone – Ruth waited Jesus – a life full of virtue (inner strength)Jesus – a life full of virtue (inner strength) Proverbs 12:4 – a Virtuous woman builds up Proverbs 12:4 – a Virtuous woman builds up

her husband instead of making him ashamedher husband instead of making him ashamed David most of the time was a MAN’S MAN David most of the time was a MAN’S MAN

(1Samuel 13:14) – not easily pushed over, (1Samuel 13:14) – not easily pushed over, and controlledand controlled

Abigail was a STRONG woman (1Sam 25:21-Abigail was a STRONG woman (1Sam 25:21-35)35)

A Great Example of Virtue and Vice – A Great Example of Virtue and Vice – David and Uriah (2Samuel 11)David and Uriah (2Samuel 11)

BackgroundBackground (11:1-5) (11:1-5)

• David’s BoredomDavid’s Boredom• David’s BedroomDavid’s Bedroom • David’s BeliefDavid’s Belief – that no one would know – that no one would know• David’s BurdenDavid’s Burden – a little problem shows up – a little problem shows up

(11:5)(11:5)

David’s PlanDavid’s Plan (11:6-13) (11:6-13)

• Counted on Uriah just being like every other manCounted on Uriah just being like every other man• But Uriah was NOT like most other menBut Uriah was NOT like most other men• Uriah had character - Had convictionsUriah had character - Had convictions

David’s RuinDavid’s Ruin (11:14-17, 26-27) - Committed (11:14-17, 26-27) - Committed Adultery, Lied, Murdered – just like the world!Adultery, Lied, Murdered – just like the world!

Uriah’s PraiseUriah’s Praise – one of God’s great men – one of God’s great men

What is a Christian Without What is a Christian Without Virtue?Virtue?

In BondageIn Bondage – to the haunts and – to the haunts andthe chains of the pastthe chains of the past

In FearIn Fear – of what will happen when caught – of what will happen when caught In DangerIn Danger – of ruin and defeat – there – of ruin and defeat – there

already is enough against a Christian to be already is enough against a Christian to be bringing MORE upon your own headbringing MORE upon your own head

The key to protection from Satan, and The key to protection from Satan, and blessing from God is living a life of inner blessing from God is living a life of inner strength and virtue instead of muscles and strength and virtue instead of muscles and beautybeautycaving into the pressures of sin,caving into the pressures of sin,the world, and the devil!the world, and the devil!

How to Improve Your VirtueHow to Improve Your Virtue LoatheLoathe (hate) the vices, the sins in you – starts here! (hate) the vices, the sins in you – starts here! Get LivelyGet Lively – get a life project that takes up your time – get a life project that takes up your time LearnLearn the lives of the people in the Bible – they are the lives of the people in the Bible – they are

real people, with real problems, whom God has real people, with real problems, whom God has recorded to show us REAL solutionsrecorded to show us REAL solutions

Constantly addConstantly add virtue to your way of thinking, loving, virtue to your way of thinking, loving, livingliving

LoveLove God’s laws – thank God for rules, and limits on God’s laws – thank God for rules, and limits on your life – keeps you OUT of the deadly traps (snares) your life – keeps you OUT of the deadly traps (snares) of the devilof the devil

LookLook always for a way of escape when facing any always for a way of escape when facing any temptation (1Cor 10:13) – God will give you strengthtemptation (1Cor 10:13) – God will give you strength

ConclusionConclusion Start with Faith…Start with Faith…

• It is where we all startIt is where we all start• Believe fully on the Lord Jesus ChristBelieve fully on the Lord Jesus Christ• Follow Him, trusting Him and loving Him fullyFollow Him, trusting Him and loving Him fully

Add to your faith VIRTUE…Add to your faith VIRTUE…• Don’t hesitate to line up your life with Jesus’Don’t hesitate to line up your life with Jesus’• Become a real man, a real woman – quit Become a real man, a real woman – quit

caving into the pressure around youcaving into the pressure around you• Seek the filling of the Holy Spirit of GodSeek the filling of the Holy Spirit of God