Being Sober Minded III: Sobriety, wisdom and holiness – the better ways

[prisonchaplain]

To hear all three parts of Being Sober Minded:  http://www.anglelake.org/resources/online-sermons/?sermon_id=301

 

Entertainment, whether through movies, TV, or gaming offer modest relaxation and fun.  Alcohol can do likewise, though it tends to bring much heartache, as well.  Finally, it is good to care for ourselves through rest and exercise.

 

Ultimately, there must be more.  The meaning of life is to pursue God’s best.  What can God use to keep us focused on him?  The first standard is sobriety.  Important times call for clarity of the mind.  My children take standardized tests.  The schools tell us to make sure they get plenty of rest, and to have a good breakfast.  Why?  So their minds are sharp. 

 

Likewise, we should be sober-minded.  1 Peter 4:7 says:  The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.  Jesus is returning soon.  We should be about his business.  To do so, we should be clear-minded.  When we struggle too hard with having fun, or with getting ahead, or with providing well for our children, or loved ones, etc.—we lose our focus.  Our minds become clouded.

 

A second pursuit is for wisdom.  These are days that call for intelligence—not foolish whims.  Proverbs 4:7 declares:  The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.  So, how do we get it?

 

Christians engage the Bible.  We believe God gave his words—his will and way—to the authors who composed this great book.  So we study it.  2 Timothy 2:15 tells us to:  Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. (NLT)  If you want a basic understanding of God study the Bible!  Even a chapter a day will get you through the New Testament in a year.  Three for the Old Testament. 

 

Another means of gaining wisdom is to sit under some good teaching.   We need to find good teachers, and learn from them.  Psalm 119:33:  Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.  The number one way God teaches us is by providing us good teachers.   Teacher is one of the gifts of the Spirit—one of the high callings of the church.  Even though I am a chaplain, my family and I attend a church, and I learn from our pastor’s teaching. 

 

Besides consuming regular doses of strong teaching, we often need counsel.  Sometimes we need advice for a specific situation.  Proverbs 15:22 says:  Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.  Whether the need is spiritual, psychological, or even financial, seek out counsel.  Just be certain it is godly wisdom you find.

 

Prayers give wisdom, too.  They have a way of causing us to be spiritually wise.  Luke 21:36 puts it this way:  Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

 

Finally, we apply our clear and wise minds to holiness.  What good is it to have wisdom, though, if we do not live in godly ways.  In Ephesians 4:22-24 Paul says:  22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

 

So how do we embrace holiness?  Resisting temptation.  We do not have to give in.  God has made us stronger than we realize.  Pauls explains it this way:  1 Corinthians 10:13:  No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  

 

Also, rather than focusing on what to avoid, pursing good works is crucial.  When we are busy doing God’s business, we have less time to get tripped up with our own mess.  Titus 3:14 says:  Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

 

Of course, the best work is God’s work.  Paul tells Timothy the same thing God would say to all of us:  2 Timothy 4:5:  But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don't be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.  (NLT)  It’s not that we all need to become preachers.  Rather, whatever we do, we should do it as if it were for God himself.  Further, when we are asked why, we should never be afraid to say, “Because God would want it that way.”

 

Let us be careful of distractions and dangers to our spiritual lives.   Entertainment, relaxation, rest and physical exercise are all good—but they can overshadow the more important matters.  Instead, let us give our primary efforts to sobriety, wisdom and holiness.  Jesus put it best, when He said, in Matthew 6:33:  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

[Vort]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but: You quoted 2 Timothy chapters 2 and 4, but 2 Timothy 3 reads:

 

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.