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Sobriety
Think for a
moment about various tasks that you perform in your life that require
much thought and dexterity. Perhaps you operate heavy machinery, perform
surgery, fix a delicate object, or even drive a vehicle. How much
concentration and control are necessary to perform these functions? What
would most likely happen if you were not able to concentrate upon the
task at hand, or you were not able to control your hands or body as you
would like: would you still be able to succeed?
Most people recognize that there are many functions in life that
require our full attention and that if we are being impeded by something
else, we often make mistakes and fail in many ways. This recognition
attests to the need for sobriety.
The Scriptures speak often about the need for the Christian to be
sober. In 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8, Paul compares the Christian with
others in terms of being "in light" versus "in darkness",
and as "sober" versus "drunk", using the idea as it is
most familiar to people. Nevertheless, many times the Scriptures speak
of being "sober minded" (2 Corinthians 5:13, 1 Timothy 3:2, Titus
1:8, Titus 2:2; 5:6). Paul charged Timothy to be sober "in all
things" in 2 Timothy 4:5.
It is manifest, then, that God expects the Christian to live his or
her life free of such intoxicants-- indeed, alcohol and drugs are
included, but also anything else that would redirect the Christian from
his God. Too many people become intoxicated with money, social status,
sports, or other
activities or concepts that otherwise would be harmless but have
consumed the mind. The love of money is considered to be "a root of
all kinds of evil" (1 Timothy 6:10), and not a few people have put
the cares and concerns of this world before concern over their eternal
soul to their own detriment (Matthew 13:22). Idolatry, simply
defined, represents anything which a man places before the One True God;
just as Israel served Baal, how many today serve money, social status,
sex, drugs, alcohol, and the like? Such is not pleasing to God
(Galatians 5:19-21)!
God has charged humans to put first His Kingdom and His
righteousness (Matthew 6:33), and the rest of the necessities of
life will follow. If we are going to be able to serve God as effectively
as we can, we must not allow our minds to be intoxicated by anything: we
must be sober, watching
out for the Devil's schemes lest we sin (1 Peter 5:8).
Sobriety must be a constant in our lives; living the Christian life
requires our greatest focus and dexterity (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).
Let us live soberly today!
----Ethan R. Longhenry
The Scriptures on
Sobriety
But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the
breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation
(1 Thessalonians 5:8).
But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an
evangelist, fulfill thy ministry (2 Timothy 4:5).
Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope
perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation
of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13).
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and
be sober unto prayer (1 Peter 4:7).
Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
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