•Self-control. In exercising knowledge, develop self-control. We live in a world of steadily decreasing self-control. The number of road rage incidents is evidence to that. More than half of U.S. Adults are over-weight.16 Many suffer from lack of control in eating habits. Drug abuse and overdose have increased beyond what our ancestors would recognize. In gaining self-control, more and more we learn to put aside our own desires so that we may fulfill God’s desires.

•Patience. When allowing Holy Spirit to help you gain more self-control, add patience. I overheard a teacher’s advice to his student, “Never pray for patience, because you will get lots of problems with opportunity to learn patience.” The student’s reply was, “I don’t believe that God would send me problems to teach me anything.” Look in on what Apostle Paul writes Roman Christians, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us—they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it, until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.” 17 What do you think of teacher’s advice?

•Godliness. As you develop patience, put aside your own desires in an increasing measure, so that God may have His way with you in godliness. The Apostle Peter wrote Jewish Christians and now us, “Obey God, because you are His children; don’t slip back into your old ways—doing evil because you knew no better. However, be holy now in everything you do, just as Lord is holy, who invited you to be His child. He Himself said, ‘You must be holy, for I am holy.’” 18

•Brotherly affection. When practicing godliness, develop brotherly affection. Love one another with brotherly affection—as members of one family—giving precedence and showing honor to one another.19 Love brotherhood of believers.20 Pray for God’s people with strong purpose. As you pray for Body of Christ, interceding on their behalf, your concern will become Christ’s compassion. Your hands and feet will become Christ’s members, reaching out to saints. Your affection will become Christ’s love flowing through you for His Church.21

•Love. When praying for church in brotherly affection, finally add love. Let love guide your speech and actions. In my B.C. before Christ days, I would often hurt others by just bluntly telling them truth. If anyone would say anything to me about it, I would respond with, “Well, it was truth!” After meeting Christ, I continued with this speaking truth. But each time I did, I would feel so miserable, I was compelled to apologize. Later, after prayer, Holy Spirit instructed me I could speak truth, but in love. I discovered that truth in love is often silent. Let love guide your actions. The Apostle John wrote to his friends in faith, “Little children, let us stop just saying we love people; let us really love them, and show it by our actions.” 22 Let love guide your life. Grow to love more and more.

The more we add and develop these qualities in our life, more useful and fruitful we will be to our Master, Lord Jesus. We will become special vessels prepared and ready for Master’s use. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he encourages us to be like expensive dishes in God’s house, “If you stay away from sin, you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold—the very best in house—so that Christ Himself can use you for His highest purposes.” 23