2Pe 1:5-6, 5 …to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
To gain knowledge is important for there in can wisdom be applied. The moral compass must be guided by knowledge or it will run into “a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Paul prayed that as the church loved, that love would abound still more in knowledge and discernment (Phil 1:9). His starting point was love, and the gaining of knowledge and discernment would be filtered through love. That is, with the increase of their love there might be fuller knowledge and wiser judgment.
And in your knowledge, Peter urges believers to add self-control (temperance). Knowledge without self-control only gets people puffed up. James was right speaking these words, Jas 1:19 “…my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak...” A good way of escaping one kind of temptation arising from ourselves is be slow to speak, slow to speak hasty words, slow to overrun those who may not be as knowledgeable as some may be. “Two ears are given to us, the rabbis observe, but only one tongue: the ears are open and exposed, whereas the tongue is walled in behind the teeth” (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown). In the exercise of Christian knowledge or discernment of God’s will, let there be the practical fruit of self-control which requires perseverance that matures believers into godliness (a lifestyle that consistently reflects the character of God).