Solid Steps
of Christian
Growth
A Study of 2 Peter 1:1-11
God’s Call to Spiritual Growth
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
Herein is my Father
glorified, that ye bear
much fruit; so shall ye be
my disciples. John 15:8
Add to Your Faith
Virtue
The Inner Strength To Do
Right
2 Peter 1:5
Introduction to Virtue






Christianity begins with faith in Jesus Christ,
but it doesn’t end there.
Everyone who comes to Christ comes only as
a wicked, condemned, lost sinner with the
desperate need to find forgiveness and the
ability to live free from the power of sin
The next step after salvation, is the need to
build up some strength against sin.
Takes hard work (diligence) not easy
We are commanded to meditate on virtuous
things (Philippians 4:8).
Let’s find out what those kind of things are…
What is Virtue?
It is an old word
It is very rare trait (Pr 31:10) Not many people
have virtue


•
•
•
•

“Wisdom is knowing what to do next, skill is
knowing how to do it, and virtue is doing it.”
David Jordan
Virtue simply is doing things God’s way (Ps
18:30)
Virtue is a strength - the ability to walk away
from temptation (Philippians 4:13)
The opposite of Virtue is Vice
It is the FIRST thing a Christian is to add to
their life as soon as they get saved!
Illustration of a Balloon
Pornography
Lust
Sex
Drink
Drugs
Lying
Stealing
Bad
Language
Rebellion
A life shaped by the devil!
A life shaped by
the Holy Spirit of God
Real Men and Real Women
The other word for virtue is
FORTITUDE
•
•
With men, virtue is
being MANLY, and
strong, and not a pushover, but full of backbone and resilience,
and grit and stamina
standing against what
God says is wrong!
With women virtue is
being FENMINE, and
strong in femininity
(not a pushover), but
full of conviction and
discretion, standing
against the world’s
pressures to sin!
Examples of Virtue






Job 31:1; Psalm 101:3 – taking control of
your eyes
Ruth 3:11 – Resisting the temptation to
just marry anyone – Ruth waited
Jesus – a life full of virtue (inner strength)
Proverbs 12:4 – a Virtuous woman builds
up her husband instead of making him
ashamed
David most of the time was a MAN’S MAN
(1Samuel 13:14) – not easily pushed over,
and controlled
Abigail was a STRONG woman (1Sam
25:21-35)
A Great Example of Virtue and Vice –
David and Uriah (2Samuel 11)
Background (11:1-5)

•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Boredom
Bedroom
Belief – that no one would know
Burden – a little problem shows up
David’s Plan (11:6-13)


David’s
David’s
David’s
David’s
(11:5)
Counted on Uriah just being like every other man
But Uriah was NOT like most other men
Uriah had character - Had convictions
David’s Ruin (11:14-17, 26-27) - Committed
Adultery, Lied, Murdered – just like the world!
Uriah’s Praise – one of God’s great men
What is a Christian Without
Virtue?




In Bondage – to the haunts and
the chains of the past
In Fear – of what will happen when caught
In Danger – of ruin and defeat – there
already is enough against a Christian to be
bringing MORE upon your own head
The key to protection from Satan, and
blessing from God is living a life of inner
strength and virtue instead of muscles and
beauty
caving into the pressures of sin,
the world, and the devil!
How to Improve Your Virtue






Loathe (hate) the vices, the sins in you – starts here!
Get Lively – get a life project that takes up your time
Learn the lives of the people in the Bible – they are
real people, with real problems, whom God has
recorded to show us REAL solutions
Constantly add virtue to your way of thinking,
loving, living
Love God’s laws – thank God for rules, and limits on
your life – keeps you OUT of the deadly traps (snares)
of the devil
Look always for a way of escape when facing any
temptation (1Cor 10:13) – God will give you strength
Conclusion


Start with Faith…
• It is where we all start
• Believe fully on the Lord Jesus Christ
• Follow Him, trusting Him and loving Him fully
Add to your faith VIRTUE…
• Don’t hesitate to line up your life with Jesus’
• Become a real man, a real woman – quit
caving into the pressure around you
• Seek the filling of the Holy Spirit of God