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Christians Must Be Virtuous
Bible study on virtue.

I have been thinking about Peter's statement, "add to your faith virtue" (2 Pet. 1:5). And I am impressed by our weighty responsibility to live a virtuous life.

Virtue, in respect to human behavior, is moral excellence (cf. NASB). A Christian's behavior must be of the highest moral and ethical standard. And that standard has been set by God.

Christians are virtuous because they love God. John said: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lusts of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 Jn. 2:15-17).

We learn from John that a virtuous life is void of three things.

  • A virtuous life is void of the lust of the flesh.

These are the sensual, evil acts which are "pleasing" to our flesh. These are the cares of this world, the deceitful riches, and the desires for other things which choke the word of God (cf. Mk. 4:19).

Paul teaches us about the struggle between our flesh and the Spirit. About the works of the flesh he said: "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like (Gal. 5:19- 21).

Now there are some works of the flesh that most people would not entertain (e.g., murder), but there are others that the world considers to be fairly harmless (e.g., licentiousness, wrath, envy, drunkenness, revelries). But Christians, must live up to God's standard of morality which avoids all the works of the flesh.

  • A virtuous life is void of the lust of the eyes.

These are the evil things that people look upon with their eyes (the physical organ) and think upon with their mind's eye.

Not only is it important to control our bodies to live virtuously, but we must control our minds to think virtuous thoughts. Jesus taught that evil thoughts give way to evil acts (Mk. 7:21-23). The fact is, we are what we think. If we think about evil things, we will eventfully give in to those thoughts. Therefore, many aspects of our popular culture which stimulate the senses through sensual desires (e.g., soft and hard pornography, TV shows, movies, books, magazines, carnal parties, sensual dances, and licentious clothing) are evil since they entice those who look upon them to ponder evil thoughts.

  • A virtuous life is void of the pride of life.

The pride of life is glorying in the flesh. The pride of life trusts in the flesh and not in God. A person who is proud of the things in this life loves the world; and the love of the Father is not in him (1 Jn. 2:15). A person who is proud of the things in this life glories in the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes.

Finally, let me suggest that a virtuous life glorifies God. In light of the fact that we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, Paul said: "therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:20).

Let's ask ourselves: Am I living a virtuous life according to God's standard? Am I glorifying God in everything that I do and say?