Point O-8

Peter wrote,

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)

It's all pretty good. That "therefore" is about all that Christ has done for us (1 Peter 1:1-12). Based on what He has done, prepare your minds. Be sober-minded. Set your hope on grace revealed by Christ. All very good stuff.

What struck me, though, was that "be sober-minded" thing. So, let's see. "Sober" -- "not intoxicated or drunk." Of course, we also have the "marked by seriousness, gravity, solemnity" definition, but, as it turns out, the Greek word used in this text is precisely "abstain from wine." Obviously Peter is using it in the sense of more than being a teetotaler. It's the second definition, to be sure. But he's using the "not intoxicated" imagery to get the "be serious" idea. Like Paul did when he wrote, "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." (Eph 5:18) It's not about drink; it's about being "under the influence" of the Spirit. And this one is about not being "intoxicated," but keeping your mind straight.

I was thinking about that -- "under the influence" as opposed to "sober." Where can we find ourselves "under the influence" rather than "sober"? What difficulties do we have with "be sober-minded"? I think it's pretty clear. It is premised on what we allow to influence us. Is our primary influence the world or the Lord? Do we grab our standards, our values, our perspectives, our goals from the world or from the Word? Do we spend our time imbibing the media in all its forms -- TV, movies, internet, social media, etc. -- or pursuing the things of God? How do we prepare our minds for action? How can we be sober-minded? If .08 is a legal definition of drunk, what percentage of our lives belong to the world rather than God? Are we spiritually drunk?

Paul wrote, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Php 4:8) Is that you? It's not me. I clearly have some sobering up to do.