I am blessed to attend a church
where “unpopular but godly sermons” are often preached: very simple details of
our faith which are often overlooked for the seemingly bigger and catchy things
that seem to attract more people. These details, though mundane, remain some of
the hallmarks of Christ followers; those things that people see and they know
for certain that these are disciples (a.k.a fanatics) of Christ. This past
Tuesday, one such sermon was preached at our mid-week service – a reminder of
the fact that we must be sober and vigilant. Peter, (a follower of Christ and
one of those for whom the word ‘Christian’ was coined for the way they
faithfully adhered to Christ teachings), having successfully lived as Christ
disciple; lets us know that sobriety is a must for a successful Christian life.
1 Peter 5: 8amp “Be sober (well balanced and self-disciplined), be
alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around
like a roaring lion (fiercely hungry), seeking someone to devour).
James 4: 9amp “Be miserable and grieve and weep (over your sin). Let
your (foolish) laughter be turned to mourning and your (reckless) joy to gloom…
in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. (He will lift you up and
give you purpose).
Sobriety, unfortunately, now
almost sounds like a bad word which it isn’t. It sounds so bad that even
believers disdain it, which may again be another trick of the enemy. It seems
to suggest that one is boring, dull and maybe, even sorrowful; which is everything
but what it really is. To be sober is of course a state of mind with an outward
expression but it is having a well-balanced and/or measured attitude of mind. Indeed,
without sobriety, one cannot have a heart of thanksgiving because it would be
tough to see beyond one’s circumstance when life is tough; for our God doesn’t
always reveal His goodness in ways that are immediately acceptable. Sobriety is
an attitude of mind that allows us weigh our actions as we should and be
measured about our responses to the things that life throws at us. Without it,
one’s judgement is bound to be impaired. It is the attitude of mind that James describes
when he counsels wrong doers to be sorrowful for their wrongdoing so that they
may thereby set in motion a process that will eventually move God to lift them
again.
Ecclesiastes 7: 3amp “Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face
is sad (deep in thought) the heart may be happy (because it is growing in
wisdom).
1 Corinthians 10: 23amp “All things are lawful (that is, morally
legitimate, permissible), but not all things are beneficial or advantageous.
All things lawful, but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All
things lawful, but not all things are constructive (to character) and edifying
(to spiritual life).”
At some point in our walk with
God, we don’t really struggle with the obviously bad. Our struggle becomes more
of ensuring that one does what is right to do and at the right time. When we
cross these fine lines, we may get into the “flesh” making it easy for our
enemy to successfully attack. It is
often said that “the line between our flesh and Spirit” is very thin so one may
unknowingly and without intending to, cross it. A sober attitude of mind however,
prevents such mistakes. Jokes for example are good; they make us laugh and the
bible says laughter is good medicine; but despite its goodness, there is a line
that when crossed, the jokes may become uncomfortable for a believer. Sobriety
lets us know when it’s time to stop before the jokes become “foolish jesting” as
well as when we are devoid of a sense of humor and stiff; which has made many
unwell with sicknesses that defy medical cure because laughter is the cure.
Ephesians 5: 4amp “Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse
(obscene or vulgar) joking, because such things are not appropriate (for
believers)”
Proverbs 17: 22 “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit
saps a person’s strength.”
Satan takes advantage of people
who are flippant and leave carelessly. This sobriety does not in any way
suggest that one is sorrowful; if anything, it ensure that one is not
sorrowful. It is a hallmark of the prudent and ensures that our lives remain
that living sacrifice that gives God a fragrance that is pleasurable to Him. If
you have a hope of a glorious end, then sobriety is that attitude of mind that
helps you measure your life to ensure that you are walking the path that will
take you there. If we want to live our lives as vessels unto God whose desire
in all things is to give Him pleasure ensuring that He takes all the glory;
then, we need to live with a sober attitude of mind because our flesh desires
for us to live carelessly giving it room to facilitate our living for ourselves
even without intention to do so. It is impossible to give God “the stage” if
one is not sober; you will compete with Him for that stage even without meaning
to do so.
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