The power of a sober mind

CURRENT RADIO SERIES Eternity Now   CURRENT TV SERIES Songs of Courage

“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 (emphasis added).” --1 Peter 1:13 Peter says that an important part of living godly and holy lives is being “sober-minded.” This idea of being sober-minded has a couple of different meanings. The underlying Greek word for “being sober-minded” in the New Testament literally means to “be wineless.” That means that you and I are to be free from the intoxicating powers of alcohol or the influence of any drug or narcotic. You see, alcohol and drugs have a negative effect on the human mind. When they are allowed to gain control of the mind, they weaken your judgment and lower your standards. And if your standards become lowered, your faith can be easily compromised. God needs our minds to be prepared and alert so that we can serve him with our focused attention. Because unholy things that gain control of your thought life will weaken and distort your judgment. There is another definition of “sober-minded” that has a broader application to your life and mine. It means to eliminate things that are harmful from our lives. Are there things that are robbing you of a sober mind? Do you have thoughts that distort your thinking and that put your judgment at risk? If you answered yes then it’s time to get “sober-minded.” And the best way to do this is by letting God and his Word guide you.   GOD NEEDS OUR MINDS TO BE PREPARED AND ALERT SO THAT WE CAN SERVE HIM WITH OUR FOCUSED ATTENTION.

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The Problem of Pride

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.”

Galatians 6:1–3

While many parents of athletes and entertainers have been heavily involved in their adult children’s lives and careers, often with negative results, perhaps none of them have been more famous recently than LaVar Ball. He has worked to turn his three sons, all talented basketball players, into a brand in their own right. But even as he promoted them, he couldn’t resist adding a little self promotion as well. In March of 2017, Ball was asked by an interviewer about his own playing career. Ball boasted, “Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one.” His actual record shows that in his single year playing collegiate basketball, Ball averaged just two points and two rebounds per game.

Pride often leads us to deceive ourselves about our talents, gifts, abilities, and importance in the world. However, it seldom fools others, who see through our facade and self-importance and have a more rounded assessment. The problem with pride is that it is never satisfied. We must continue feeding it by achieving, or sometimes inventing accomplishments. It blinds us to the reality of the world around us, and to what God values—a humble heart.

Charles Spurgeon said, “Do not desire to be the principal man in the church. Be lowly. Be humble. The best man in the church is the man who is willing to be a doormat for all to wipe their boots on, the brother who does not mind what happens to him at all, so long as God is glorified.” If we only look for things that will satisfy our pride, we may miss our greatest opportunities for service.

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The humble servant is far more valuable to God’s work than the proud boaster.