“as for you, always be sober minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill you ministry.” [2 timothy 4:5]
always be sober minded…
sober minded-ness is a theme that we see throughout scripture. the call to be sober minded is a consistent theme that we see, especially highlighted in 1 peter.
“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]
“the end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” [1 peter 4:7]
“be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” [1 peter 5:8]
the call is clear, as believers, we’re called to be sober minded. to be sober and wise in our conduct and thoughts and our interactions with each other and with the world.
so how do we remain sober minded in a world full of darkness and intoxicated on the sin that surrounds?
paul lays out the antithesis of this in romans,
“for to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God,” [romans 8:6-7]
so we see here that the antithesis, the opposite of being sober minded is setting the mind on the flesh which is death, it’s darkness. but we’re called to sober minded-ness, we’re called to set our mind on the spirit!
but the question remains, how? how are we supposed to “be sober minded”?
we set our minds on the Spirit.
take today, a day of rest and spend the day actively pursuing Jesus by setting your mind on the spirit.
what does that look like?
take time now and rest in the presence of God, sit and be still before him. but don’t let that end when you get up to go about the rest of your day, when the kids start screaming or when you get that call or text that threatens to ruin the rest of your day. take moments through the day to pause, refocus and set your mind on Jesus. take this scripture, meditate on it now and continue meditating on it throughout the day and use it as you pause throughout the day to refocus and set your mind on the spirit.
do this today and use this to set a pattern in your life to continue as you learn to continually live in the presence of God.
~ josiah bridges