Sobriety: Commanded
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Sobriety, as a biblical principle, is a state of being marked by self-control, moderation, and a clear-minded approach to life. It is a virtue that is commanded and commended throughout Scripture, reflecting a life that is disciplined and aligned with God's will. The call to sobriety is not merely an abstention from intoxicating substances but encompasses a broader lifestyle of vigilance, spiritual alertness, and moral integrity.

Old Testament Foundations

While the Old Testament does not explicitly use the term "sobriety," the concept is embedded in the call to live a life of wisdom and self-control. Proverbs 20:1 warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise." This verse highlights the dangers of excess and the loss of wisdom that accompanies a lack of self-control. The Nazarite vow, as described in Numbers 6:1-21, also exemplifies a commitment to sobriety, where individuals abstain from wine and strong drink as a sign of dedication to God.

New Testament Exhortations

The New Testament provides explicit commands regarding sobriety, particularly in the context of Christian living and leadership. In 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8, Paul exhorts believers, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night; and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation." Here, sobriety is linked with spiritual alertness and readiness for the return of Christ.

In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul outlines the qualifications for overseers, stating, "An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach." The term "temperate" is often understood as sober-minded, indicating the importance of sobriety in church leadership. Similarly, Titus 2:2 instructs older men to be "sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in perseverance."

Sobriety and Spiritual Warfare

Sobriety is also crucial in the context of spiritual warfare. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This passage underscores the necessity of sobriety as a defense against spiritual attacks, emphasizing the need for vigilance and clear-mindedness in resisting temptation and standing firm in faith.

Practical Implications

The command for sobriety extends beyond personal piety to influence one's interactions with others and participation in the community of faith. Romans 12:3 advises, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you." This call to sober judgment encourages humility and a realistic assessment of oneself in relation to God and others.

In summary, sobriety is a multifaceted command that encompasses self-control, spiritual vigilance, and moral integrity. It is a foundational aspect of Christian discipleship, essential for personal holiness, effective leadership, and spiritual readiness.
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1 Peter 1:13
Why gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
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1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:
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Library

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... slavery, or slander, the Lord who dwelleth in him, for his sobriety's sake not ... And
Potiphar was persuaded by her words, and commanded the merchant to be brought ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... &c., I say, the Lord never commanded these external ordinances for the sum of ... unto
but the weightier matters of the law, piety, equity, and sobriety, a holy ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... Our ways are not like the Jewish; for as Christ commanded us to pray ... that they adorn
themselves "in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

Of the Holy Men who Flourished About this Time in Egypt, Namely ...
... to be influenced by similar zeal, and be incited to the practice of sobriety by
the hope ... in a cave, but that a holy angel appeared to him, and commanded him to ...
/.../sozomen/the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xiv of the holy men.htm

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
... drink. Say, My heavenly Father has commanded me not to drink'. Hypocrites ...
ground. Let us walk as the children of God in sobriety. But ...
/.../20 exhortations to christians as.htm

Believe Just Now
... God has commanded sinners to believe, but has not prescribed for them any ... and that,
possibly, God may hear his drunken prayers, and give him sobriety? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ix believe just now.htm

The Blessing of God on Filial Piety.
... We will drink no wine; for Jonadab,"the son of Rechab, our father commanded us,
saying ... of man." He is allowed to use it with temperance and sobriety: But so ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiii the blessing of.htm

On Justice and Goodness.
... How then had he commanded good and bad alike to be invited, without directing ... a thing
of indifference, it follows that since justice is so, sobriety also, and ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter v on justice and goodness.htm

Covenant Duties.
... Sobriety and temperance. These are to be distinguished from austerities
devised by men, and are commanded in the Scriptures. They ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter iv covenant duties.htm

Continuation: with Texts from Scripture.
... let us fix ourselves to it in truth, and return to sobriety, and sanctify ... These things
are to be observed, and whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xii continuation with texts from.htm

Resources
Is it wrong for a Christian to view or listen to Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) triggers? | GotQuestions.org

What are blue laws? What is a biblical view of blue laws? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible have to say that would apply to animal testing? | GotQuestions.org

Sobriety: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Sobriety

Sobriety with Prayer

Sobriety with Watchfulness

Sobriety: Commanded

Sobriety: Motive For

Sobriety: Motives To

Sobriety: Required in Aged Men

Sobriety: Required in all Saints

Sobriety: Required in God's Servants

Sobriety: Required in Ministers

Sobriety: Required in Wives of Ministers

Sobriety: Required in Wives of Servants of God

Sobriety: Required in Young Men

Sobriety: Required in Young Women

Sobriety: The Gospel Designed to Teach

Sobriety: we should Estimate Our Character and Talents With

Sobriety: we should Live In

Sobriety: Women should Exhibit in Dress

Sobriety: Women should Exhibit, in Dress

Related Terms

Soberness (2 Occurrences)

So-called (10 Occurrences)

Commentaries

Notwithstanding (37 Occurrences)

Unduly (3 Occurrences)

Gravity (3 Occurrences)

Graciously (24 Occurrences)

Warn (35 Occurrences)

Individual (12 Occurrences)

Temperate (6 Occurrences)

Temperance (3 Occurrences)

Modesty (4 Occurrences)

Modestly (2 Occurrences)

Propriety (3 Occurrences)

Broided (1 Occurrence)

Broidered (9 Occurrences)

Child-bearing (1 Occurrence)

Childbearing (5 Occurrences)

Cultivate (11 Occurrences)

Costly (26 Occurrences)

Allegory (6 Occurrences)

Allotted (54 Occurrences)

Amount (66 Occurrences)

Array (63 Occurrences)

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Sanctity (1 Occurrence)

Shamefastness (1 Occurrence)

Sober (18 Occurrences)

Stay (221 Occurrences)

Apparel (38 Occurrences)

Raiment (75 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Judgement (68 Occurrences)

Drunkenness (10 Occurrences)

Garments (232 Occurrences)

Bearing (150 Occurrences)

Continue (144 Occurrences)

Likewise (149 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Saved (183 Occurrences)

Holiness (76 Occurrences)

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Sanctification (13 Occurrences)

Authority (326 Occurrences)

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Sobriety with Watchfulness
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