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Intimacy with God  /  Chapter 2: Do You Love the World  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 6
He argues that real moderation isn’t merely mastering bad desires, but also “master[ing] good attributes” and producing godly qualities as the “fruit” of intimate knowledge; what “good attributes” does your church culture tend to neglect because it focuses mainly on avoiding scandalous sins?
Another way to ask: He says real moderation is not just stopping bad desires but also controlling “good attributes” and growing godly fruit. What good traits does your church often overlook because it focuses mostly on avoiding big, obvious sins?

Direct Answer The transcript pushes beyond “don’t do bad things” to positive character: righteousness, discernment, steadfast endurance, compassion, prayerful communion with God, and active labor in doing good. A church culture focused mainly on scandal may neglect these quieter, steady virtues.

Support from Transcript:

  • “The person who merely controls his wrong desires is not truly a moderate man.”
  • “The true man of moderation is one who has also mastered good attributes.”
  • He “produces godly qualities as a fruit of this knowledge.”
  • He is “never dislodged…even in an emergency,” with good that is “firm and unchangeable.”
  • He treats others justly: giving “comfort and encouragement,” necessities, and discerning help as “the very highest righteousness.”
  • He shows compassion even toward those God will punish: “He pleads that such persons will repent.”
Discussion Follow-ups Which virtues are hardest to measure publicly but most central here (discernment, compassion, steadfastness)? How could a church celebrate these without becoming self-righteous?

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