“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, ESV)
The early days of the church following the death and resurrection of Jesus were dark and difficult and dangerous. People were killed for believing in Jesus the Christ! According to tradition, Thomas was speared to death, Andrew was crucified, and James was clubbed to death. Stephen was stoned. Paul and Peter were both taken as prisoners to Rome. Paul, it is believed, was beheaded. Peter was crucified upside down. Needless to say, being a follower of Jesus meant your life could be taken at any time.
The churches also experienced much trauma during this period. Corinthian Christians dealt with members getting drunk during communion, people taking sides against each other, worshippers placating the Greek gods, and much more. The Roman Christians had to worship in underground caves to be safe. It was never easy to be a Christian during this era.
With all the challenges and dangers surrounding first-century Christians, Peter wanted them to stand faithful. His letters contained many instructions on how to remain true to God. Today’s scripture contains one piece of information Peter sought to pass on to believers. It involved the subject of prayer. Because the end times were at hand, Peter urged the faithful to “be self-controlled and sober-minded” in their prayers (1 Peter 4:7).
Self-control is named as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. After explaining the Greek word used for self-control in this passage, the Bible Sense Lexicon states that a person who retains spiritual “self-control” is able to control one’s own desires, especially ones that are sensual or passion-driven. This self-regulation is done with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit and in sync with righteousness and holiness. If you lose “self-control” in your prayer life, you will find your prayers riddled with desires and pleas to get your own desires met. Your spiritual life will be tainted by worldly lusts and wishes and hopes. You will lose your ability to see the value of things from God’s perspective.
Along with “self-control”, Peter urged followers of Christ to be sober or sober-minded. The meaning of this word in Greek not only is to keep oneself from being drunk or drugged, it also means to be alert and aware of what is going on around you. For example, drugs and alcohol block your inhibitions and blind you to dangers. Many other things in life that can blind you and keep you from being spiritually or physically aware of your situation. Lusts, temptations, and power, among other earthly impulses can manipulate your emotions, affect your hormones, and block your alertness. You can never be sober if you are blinded by a drug or a belief or a desire.
So, how do you personally remain “self-controlled and sober-minded” while praying in these modern times? That is indeed the question for today.
The mind can become clouded by worldly pursuits, pain, and temptations. A mind that is clouded cannot be self-controlled nor sober-minded. Thus, a mind that is clouded with worldly ideals is not a mind that can pray reverently. A clouded mind is a constant threat against powerful prayer.
During his college years, Pastor Mike R. was not the most reverent of men. In fact, he was rather worldly. Many weekends found him drinking too much. His grades were hit and miss. He was a little too enamored with the freedom he had at college. However, Mike vowed to himself that he would go to chapel every Sunday morning. He felt he owed that to God. He felt called to ministry and desired a closer relationship with God.
As Mike was sitting in Chapel one beautiful, warm May Sunday morning, he thought back on his first two years in college. There were too many nights when he drank too much. Some Sunday mornings, Mike R. came to chapel worship with a hangover. Once, he was still drunk. On two occasions, Mike came to worship after having sex with a classmate. He had no plans for a long-term relationship with either. He just enjoyed their time together. This made Mike feel rather cheap. It also made him feel worse about himself and a future in ministry. For the first time in a long time, Mike R. prayed with self-control and a sober mind that he needed to make better decisions at college and in his life. He couldn’t fool around figuratively and literally any longer. Worship that morning rejuvenated Mike’s relationship with God. It fueled a renewal of his faith that carried him through the rest of college and on to seminary.
Mike’s mind was clouded by alcohol, girls, and college fun for too long. It affected not only his spiritual life but his life choices. To this day, Pastor Mike R. wonders what would have happened if during that time in college he had gotten a girl pregnant, crashed his car after a long night of drinking, or failed his classes due to a lack of effort! When your mind is clouded, all kinds of mistakes and erroneous thinking can mess with faithful judgment!
What may be clouding your mind in this period of your life? Are you ready to gain more self-control and soberness in your spiritual life, your prayers, and with your choices? Peter is urging you to do some self-examination. God needs you take heed to this scripture. When your mind is clouded, you can’t see what is coming and will lack godly insight as to what is true or holy or valued or important.
The churches also experienced much trauma during this period. Corinthian Christians dealt with members getting drunk during communion, people taking sides against each other, worshippers placating the Greek gods, and much more. The Roman Christians had to worship in underground caves to be safe. It was never easy to be a Christian during this era.
With all the challenges and dangers surrounding first-century Christians, Peter wanted them to stand faithful. His letters contained many instructions on how to remain true to God. Today’s scripture contains one piece of information Peter sought to pass on to believers. It involved the subject of prayer. Because the end times were at hand, Peter urged the faithful to “be self-controlled and sober-minded” in their prayers (1 Peter 4:7).
Self-control is named as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. After explaining the Greek word used for self-control in this passage, the Bible Sense Lexicon states that a person who retains spiritual “self-control” is able to control one’s own desires, especially ones that are sensual or passion-driven. This self-regulation is done with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit and in sync with righteousness and holiness. If you lose “self-control” in your prayer life, you will find your prayers riddled with desires and pleas to get your own desires met. Your spiritual life will be tainted by worldly lusts and wishes and hopes. You will lose your ability to see the value of things from God’s perspective.
Along with “self-control”, Peter urged followers of Christ to be sober or sober-minded. The meaning of this word in Greek not only is to keep oneself from being drunk or drugged, it also means to be alert and aware of what is going on around you. For example, drugs and alcohol block your inhibitions and blind you to dangers. Many other things in life that can blind you and keep you from being spiritually or physically aware of your situation. Lusts, temptations, and power, among other earthly impulses can manipulate your emotions, affect your hormones, and block your alertness. You can never be sober if you are blinded by a drug or a belief or a desire.
So, how do you personally remain “self-controlled and sober-minded” while praying in these modern times? That is indeed the question for today.
The mind can become clouded by worldly pursuits, pain, and temptations. A mind that is clouded cannot be self-controlled nor sober-minded. Thus, a mind that is clouded with worldly ideals is not a mind that can pray reverently. A clouded mind is a constant threat against powerful prayer.
During his college years, Pastor Mike R. was not the most reverent of men. In fact, he was rather worldly. Many weekends found him drinking too much. His grades were hit and miss. He was a little too enamored with the freedom he had at college. However, Mike vowed to himself that he would go to chapel every Sunday morning. He felt he owed that to God. He felt called to ministry and desired a closer relationship with God.
As Mike was sitting in Chapel one beautiful, warm May Sunday morning, he thought back on his first two years in college. There were too many nights when he drank too much. Some Sunday mornings, Mike R. came to chapel worship with a hangover. Once, he was still drunk. On two occasions, Mike came to worship after having sex with a classmate. He had no plans for a long-term relationship with either. He just enjoyed their time together. This made Mike feel rather cheap. It also made him feel worse about himself and a future in ministry. For the first time in a long time, Mike R. prayed with self-control and a sober mind that he needed to make better decisions at college and in his life. He couldn’t fool around figuratively and literally any longer. Worship that morning rejuvenated Mike’s relationship with God. It fueled a renewal of his faith that carried him through the rest of college and on to seminary.
Mike’s mind was clouded by alcohol, girls, and college fun for too long. It affected not only his spiritual life but his life choices. To this day, Pastor Mike R. wonders what would have happened if during that time in college he had gotten a girl pregnant, crashed his car after a long night of drinking, or failed his classes due to a lack of effort! When your mind is clouded, all kinds of mistakes and erroneous thinking can mess with faithful judgment!
What may be clouding your mind in this period of your life? Are you ready to gain more self-control and soberness in your spiritual life, your prayers, and with your choices? Peter is urging you to do some self-examination. God needs you take heed to this scripture. When your mind is clouded, you can’t see what is coming and will lack godly insight as to what is true or holy or valued or important.