So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. -----1 Thess. 5:6

To read the above verse, and others containing the word "sober", and think only of being free from intoxicating beverages is to miss some very needed teaching that is essential to our maturity as Christians. Let's examine the concept of "sobriety" and make some practical applications.

We can learn something of the meaning of "sober" as we examine its use in other passages. In Mk. 5:15 our word "sober" is translated "right mind", as opposed to one who had been possessed by a demon. And in 2 Cor. 5:13 a "sober mind" is contrasted with being "beside ourselves", i.e., mad. Sobriety, then, is soundness of mind and judgment, in control of one's senses, speaking and acting rationally. Sound judgment, self-control, self-discipline are all terms which adequately describe "sober".

Sobriety is a learned manner of thinking and acting; something we have control over and are responsible for developing. In Titus chapter 2, Paul makes it quite clear that one is taught to be sober; it is not something that "just happens": In vss. 1-2 and 4-5 aged men and young women are to be spoken to and trained to be sober and younger men, vs. 6, are exhorted to develop this quality. And in vss. 11-12 we're told that God's grace instructs us to be sober.

Sobriety and self-evaluation. We are to think sensibly about the gifts that we have received from God, Rom. 12:1-2. Sober people realize that whatever talents and abilities they may have are God-given and keep them from thinking "more highly than he ought to think", Rom. 12:3. How badly do song leaders, Bible class teachers and others in local churches need to learn this. It would prevent those who think they are "something when they are nothing", Gal. 6:3, from treating others who have "lesser" abilities in inappropriate ways, 1 Cor. 12-14.

Sobriety and women. In their general deportment, 1 Tim. 2:15; Tit. 2:4-5, and in their manner of dress, 1 Tim. 2:9, women are to reflect a "level head". I fear that too many are "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of" fashion (apologies to Paul, Eph. 4:14) and thus reflect a less-than-sober attitude toward themselves. Women with sound judgment put enough clothes on so as not to be "naked" or nearly-so and those "professing godliness", 1 Tim. 2:10, don't put so much on as to be gawdy and showy, Isa. 3:16-26.

Sobriety and men. Elders in local churches are to be sober, 1 Tim. 3:2; Tit. 1:8, but so also are all older men, Tit. 2:2, as well as younger men, Tit. 2:6. Young men who think and act as if they'll be young and live forever are in bad need of some training in sobriety: old age and all that goes with it eventually catches up with us all. And older men who think they have to talk, dress and in general act like they are teenagers also need some instruction that can be summed up in two words: "Grow up"

Sobriety and everyday living. Each generation comes with its own set of problems: temptations and dilemmas that can cause us to go off in directions that are unacceptable to God. For this reason we must be "sober and watchful", 1 Pet. 5:8, "live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world", Tit. 2:12, and "be sober unto prayer", 1 Pet. 4:7. Demas was not thinking or acting soberly when he forsook Paul, "having loved this present world", 2 Tim. 4:10. And Paul reminded the Corinthians that "the fashion of this world passeth away", and so to think soberly about the desire of one's mate, the things of this world which cause us grief or happiness, and the ability to purchase and use what this world has to offer, 1 Cor. 7:29-31. All of these things can "turn our heads", as they evidently turned Demas', and cause us to take our eyes off the goal, Phil. 3:13.

Sobriety and preachers. For good reason Paul reminded the young preacher Timothy, "be thou sober in all things", 2 Tim. 4:5. It is easy for preachers to conclude that the cause of Christ depends on how many meetings they hold, how many lectureships they appear on, and how many articles they write for brotherhood papers. Theirs is a great work but by no means the greatest work. The fate of the church they are working with in no wise depends on their continued presence, and preaching does not entitle one to act God-like. To think and act otherwise is to exhibit a high degree of "insobriety". Those who are on such an ego trip need to take a "rest stop" and "sober up" before they continue on. Such recklessness in one's "journey" through life is dangerous to all concerned. And one's preaching should reflect sober thinking, not knee- jerk reaction to what is going on among brethren and in the world generally.

We all need to heed the admonition to "keep awake and be sober". Learning to be sober is not always easy, nor is there any quick shortcut. But the rewards here and hereafter make it all worthwhile.