DIVINE MATH

Beyond being one of the fruits of the Spirit, the Greek work egkrates (self-control) shows up in another important passage. 

Take a look at the divine math in 2 Peter 1:5b-9 - 

5b Make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Here is the equation:

Faith 

     + Virtue 

          + Knowledge 

               + SELF-CONTROL 

                    + Perseverance

                         + Godliness 

                              + Brotherly Kindness 

                                   + Love

               = Effective and Productive in Christ

Notice that we start with Faith and end with Love. THAT seems appropriate. 

Remove any one of these variables and the procession comes to a halt - long before you have reached a place of Love.

So self-control plays a central and necessary role in this equation. 

And without self-control, there is no real possibility of being effective and productive in your faith.

I don't know about you, but I want to be effective and productive.

You and I need self-control.