“Be Sober”

David Eldridge

Time and again the Bible commands that Christians be sober. The word sober means, “Of sound mind…hence self-controlled, sober-minded” (Vine Expository Dictionary of N. T. Words). Truly we need more soberness in our lives in different areas. Be sober…

In Looking At Self. Paul states, “For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12:3). We fail to think soberly when we forget humility. A sound mind is one that observes their nothingness before God. Jesus said it this way, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). It is necessary for us to remember that without God we would have nothing (cf. Revelation 3:17). Furthermore, we must remember that even when we have done all we can, we are accounted as nothing but unprofitable servants (Luke 17:10). When we see our sinful state before God (Romans 3:23), the punishment that we deserve (Romans 6:23), and the price that was paid that we might escape (Romans 5:8), we cannot help but to be humbled. If, thinking soundly, we will humble ourselves before God He will bless us. In James 4:10 it is recorded, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” As we look at ourselves, let us think soberly, not thinking more highly of ourselves than we should.

In Our Behavior. Sobriety of life is required of all Christians. It is required of those who desire the office of an elder (I Timothy 3:2), of their wives (I Timothy 3:11), of women old and young (I Timothy 2:9,15; Titus 2:4), and of aged and young men (Titus 2:2,6). Note Paul’s words in Titus 2:12. He said, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Does this mean one is to be so grave that they never smile and enjoy life? Of course not! However, when it comes to the way that we conduct ourselves we must be very serious. We are sober in our lives for we know the consequences of looking at life in frivolity – an eternity in Hell. We understand that the way we live today has eternal consequences, affecting our eternal destiny. Sometimes it is easy to fall into the trap of the rich man of Luke 12:16-21. In this parable, the rich man was lulled into a feeling of self-sufficiency and carelessness by his gain. This is evident when he states he would say to his soul, “Take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” (vs. 19). However, his life of carelessness was about to end in ruin, for he was told that very night would be his last (vs. 20). We must be careful, serious, and sober in this life, because where we spend eternity depends on how we live today.

In Our Teaching. Paul, after having an accusation of madness leveled at him by Festus, declares, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness” (Acts 26:25). Paul, as he spoke concerning the gospel, was doing so in a serious and reasonable way. We must develop the same in our teaching. We do so by realizing the important task at hand. Paul told Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16). The seriousness of the message we teach is seen in the fact that our soul, and the souls of others depend on it. Also, in order to reason with people from the scriptures, we need diligent, daily Bible study (II Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11). Equipped with the knowledge of God’s word by our study we can “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (I Peter 3:15). Realizing the great task we have of teaching the gospel, let us prepare to teach and present His truth in soberness, being serious-minded and reasonable.

In Watching For Our Enemy. Peter warns in I Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” In looking for our enemy we must be serious-minded. He is a lion on the prowl, looking to devour us, and bring our eternal souls to destruction. To look for our enemy, since he lures us with evil, we must be able to discern right from wrong (Hebrews 5:14). Furthermore, we must learn the ways that he operates. John explained this in I John 2:16. He wrote, “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.” Knowing he operates through these three avenues, we must always be on guard, because “we are not ignorant of his devices” (II Corinthians 2:11). If you heard a lion was loose in your neighborhood you would be on alert for your life. This lion (Satan) is all around us – be on alert in soberness for your soul. Be sober, in view of eternity, that you might be afforded rest in Heaven.