March 28
Sober-minded
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
––Ephesians 5:18-20, nlt
I have brothers in Christ who sit on both sides of the alcohol debate: many don’t drink at all, and some drink occasionally. Whatever side you are on, we can all agree on one thing: the Bible advises against getting drunk. Paul was clear on that. Instead of being full of drink, we are called to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We do this by confessing our sins to another, surrendering each day to God’s will, and asking Him to move through us, speak to us, and guide us.
The opposite of being drunk with wine, of course, is being sober. When we hear that word we typically associate it with drugs or alcohol. But the Apostle Peter uses the term a bit differently when he admonishes the believers of Asia Minor:
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ––1 Peter 5:8
And in Romans Paul says,
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment. ––Romans 12:3
In these cases—and others in the New Testament—the terms “sober” and “sober-minded” are associated with a way of thinking and behaving. The need here is to be alert or on your toes—to be self-aware and clear-headed.
It’s great advice for every man of God: to be aware that we have an adversary, and to maintain a realistic, balanced view of oneself. When we see how Paul and Peter used the term, it takes on a whole new meaning. It is both an adjective (act in a sober-minded fashion) and a verb (to sober up and be spiritually alert). To live as a sober-minded man of God means we take a balanced approach to life, not taking lightly the enemy who is always on the prowl, but while also walking in confidence and “spiritual awareness” in our thoughts and actions.
Father, help me to be sober-minded in my actions and deeds, aware of the enemy, but bold and confident in the fact that my strength comes from You.