Virtue Defined
You never stay the same. Everything is shaping you, and as each day goes by you grow better or atrophy worse. With so much to focus on, the question becomes, “How do we focus on what matters most and build ourselves in the best way?”
There have been various core attributes focused on throughout human history, the most known being distilled as the Cardinal Virtues, these virtues achieve completeness in directing human action toward “the good.”
Fortitude & Temperance: Govern a person’s internal affective responses.
Prudence & Justice: Regulate external operations. Prudence, directing practical reasoning. Justice, governing what one owes to others and society.
Beyond these, are the Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love. The Theological Virtues, seeing God as their object and being infused by God alone, equip an individual in supernatural ways to reflect the character of God.
Although given different titles, it appears that Peter lists these off in 2 Peter 1:5-8 while giving directions for the church to increase in these virtues all the more. Faith, infused by God alone is the starting point, and so Peter gives practical action to supplement each one in a logical order. The list moves from the foundation of faith to the practical, from personal action to action that affects those around us.
May you be encouraged as you review the sequence and consider application.
Virtue (Justice)
Excellence of character, typically tied to being “morally upright” (Philippians 4:8)
What contexts are you typically lacking in virtue, and how can you prompt growth in those areas?
For example, if your temper gets out of control with your family members… then it will eventually break out against others you love… and it will affect other disciplines all together.
Knowledge (Prudence)
Understanding of truth (Proverbs 1:7)
What person, product, or process are you committed to currently, that is helping you grow in knowledge and understanding?
The only way someone ever grows is through those 3 P’s. Some things include all 3! School is a process that involves products and people.
Self-Control (Temperance)
Temperance, sober-mindedness, the ability to excellently govern yourself, even when no one is watching (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
What disciplines do you need to grow in, in order to be more self-controlled? Know that discipline begets discipline.
For example, when you fast, maintain a diet, and work your body under strenuous circumstances, it makes other things easy.
Steadfastness (Fortitude)
To remain (in the prior virtues) in the face of difficulty (James 1:2-4)
What struggles of perseverance do you typically bail out of, and how can you instead lean into them?
Use discomfort as a radar, and find ways to lean into challenges one step at a time so that you would grow in endurance with whatever that challenge might be.
Godliness (Hope)
Devoutness, reverence, piety (Titus 2:11-13)
Comprehensive godliness is enabled by God, and is shaped in us by reflecting on him. What is your practice of focusing on the character of God?
Consider studying the attributes of God! Even if you are not a Christian, what have you got to lose! A quick read: 12 Things God Can’t Do
Brotherly Affection (Love Pt.1)
Love of neighbor (Galatians 5:13-15 / Romans 12:10)
Instead of tearing one another down, how do you outdo one another in showing honor?
Love (Love Pt.2)
Not a feeling, but as sacrificial action that is done to love those around us.
How are you intentionally inconveniencing yourself in order to care for those around you?
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In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty - Proverbs 14:23
