In Virtue Discernment

In Virtue Discernment

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue discernment . . . .” 2 Pet. 1:5.

This does not mean that we shall be discerning when it comes to virtue so that there is just the right amount. Nevertheless, there is a great difference in how we practice the virtues. There is nothing that is called “just the right amount” of virtue. Reading further, we see that virtue is supposed to increase. There is to be as much as possible of it; we are to be even more diligent in it. The more virtue, the more abundant will be our entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We must give all diligence to add virtue to our faith.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may be able to judge the various things, that you may be pure and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Phil. 1:9-11. In other words, we have to learn to judge things in order to be pure and without offense. We are not to exercise the virtues openly in such a way that we show off with them. Then we become an offense. Often it appears as if the virtues collide with each other. If they do, we lack discernment, and then it is no longer virtuous. We need to exercise the virtues in love. Therefore Paul prayed that their love might abound still more and more in all knowledge.

It seems that generosity and righteousness can collide. On this point we need to learn to judge correctly. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Gal. 6:10. We are limited, and we have limited strength and limited means. Therefore it is always a question of stewardship. If I think of only generosity and not of righteousness, I am not discerning in my virtue. I see someone who needs my strength or my money. If I do not understand to judge in the situation, I lack discernment in my stewardship. I give and give to someone who just wastes it on his lusts. He is not helped by it, and I have nothing to give to someone who seeks the good and is in need. This applies to many housemaids. They serve in the homes of very rich people who make more and more demands on them. They want to be to the praise of the doctrine of Christ, and so they labor and toil. They never say “No” to the demands of the rich. They polish their silver and their brass, wax their floors and have a good testimony year in and year out. Yet when they are worn out or older, they have to leave the house. Then they might get sick and become a burden to others after they have given all their time and strength to ungodly people. This is not discernment in the virtues.

A widow could be chosen to be supported by the church if she (among other things) was well reported for good works, was hospitable, washed the feet of the saints, etc. 1 Tim. 5:9-10. We see that it took quite a bit to gain this right. If she had done all these things only among the ungodly she would not have had this right. It is not discernment to give away more than you have, whether it be money or physical strength. It is not virtue to continue doing a job that drains you of your physical strength beyond your capacity. Quite the contrary! It can be that you are angling for a reputation; you are a slave of people or you do not understand to judge the various things. 1 Cor. 7:21.

Humility can also appear to collide with truth. If it does, it is no longer humility, or one does not understand to judge in the matter, and so one becomes impure. The angel of the church in Pergamos was a splendid person, but he did not fight against those who held the doctrine of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitans. Perhaps his “humility” did not allow him to do so. Thus he became responsible for their works, and he was exhorted to repent. Rev. 2:12-16. This was also the case of the angel of the church in Thyatira. John was not “humble” in that sense. He knew how to judge in such matters. 3 John 9-10. You do not know how to discern if you become a slave of man with your humility. “You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.” 1 Cor. 7:23.

Many people become enslaved to man by keeping the commandment: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise.” Eph. 6:1-2. They don’t consider the fact that they are no longer children. They have become old enough that they are responsible for their own lives, and they become slaves of man if they do not keep this word of Jesus: “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26.

Many parents rule over their children by quoting the commandment that the children should be obedient. In this way the children can become slaves to their parents’ will way past the age of maturity. Such people cannot be Jesus’ disciples. Jesus says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.” Matt. 10:35-38. Once you have become old enough to hear Jesus’ voice you have to obey His voice. This leads to division, but it is the best thing you can do for your parents. You must not slave away under their will.

Some people insist on righteousness to the extent that it collides with love and mercy, but then righteousness is no longer a virtue; or, they do not know how to judge in a matter. It is never righteous to become bitter or to requite evil with evil. Everyone is to meet goodness from us. Being good does not mean we give them everything they want. It means to be good whether they deserve it or not and to give them what I understand is good for them, whether it is words, money, or services as I have opportunity and according to my understanding of stewardship.

In this way we can find examples without end. We are to be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Phil. 1:11. We must live the hidden life with Christ in God. Col. 3:3. If we act under pressure from people, the result is not virtue, and if we think of our own reputation, the result is not virtue either, regardless of what we do. We have to be true in the deepest recesses of our heart if we are to attain to being filled with the fruits of righteousness. And we are that if we seek only God’s will and glory. John 5:44, 7:18.