BE SOBER

-For several weeks now, we’ve been addressing Satan’s:

            -power

            -activity

            -comparison to that of a Lion (a hunter looking for prey)

            -deceitfulness and temptations

            -desire to separate as many as possible from God

-So, now let’s address what we are to do in return.

-Resist

-Peter tells us to resist Satan “stedfast in the faith” (I Pet 5:9).

-resist – (Vines) – anthistemi – withstand, oppose, resist

            -James 4:7

-But, before we get into resisting the devil, let’s back up a little and look at a couple of

  very important words at the beginning of 1 Pet 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant…”

            -To resist the devil, we must be sober and vigilant.

            -But, what does that mean?

-Be Sober

-sober – (Vines)* – nepho – signifies "to be free from the influence of intoxicants"; in the

               NT, metaphorically, it does not in itself imply watchfulness, but is used in

               association with it 

            -This carries with it the idea of having a clear mind.  It can also indicate the idea of

              being awake and alert.

            -By having a clear mind and being alert, we can then practice self control.

-That is why Satan uses deceitfulness to lead people into sin.

            -He wants to fog the mind – confuse, impair judgment, deceive.

            -Does this sound familiar?  Fogged mind, impaired judgment?

                        -This is what happens as somebody becomes intoxicated.

                        -Alcohol begins to fog one’s mind and impair judgment immediately.

                        -The extent is determined by the quantity.

                        -This is why we should not support the idea of “socialized” drinking or the idea of

                          drinking in moderation.  We should not support drinking alcoholic beverages at all.

                                    -It simply goes against the idea taught in God’s word to keep a clear mind.

-Spiritually speaking, sin is an intoxicant.

            -It fogs our mind and impairs our judgment. 

            -It starts immediately and grows worse with more and more.

            -1 Cor 5:6

-That’s how the devil uses deceitfulness.  He tries to lead people away little by little.

-1 Pet 1:13-15

-Watchfulness

-Oftentimes the word translated in I Pet 5:8 as “sober” is used along with the idea of

  watchfulness.

            -2 Tim 4:2-5

                        -vs 5 – “watch” – nepho (same as “sober” in 1 Pet 5:8)

            -1 Pet 4:7

                        -sober  – (Vines)* - sophroneo - denotes "of sound mind" (sozo, "to save," phren, "the

    mind"); hence, "self-controlled, soberminded,"

                        -watch – nepho – same word translated “sober” in 1 Pet 5:8

    *(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)