Today's post is by guest writer Joanne Beckley.
“But I just want to be happy and free!” How many mothers are faced with this
exclamation from our teen daughters as they stamp their feet? Preceding this reaction was cautionary advice about how a young lady should act. As an older woman teaching and cautioning younger women, I continue to hear this same exclamation!
Happiness is not a goal taught in the Scriptures, but rather to be sober-minded. If the repeated cautionary words to be sober are so important, we need to examine why living a sober life can bring happiness. Will the joy in living for Jesus remove the pitfalls in just seeking happiness? Absolutely! Give careful consideration to the Greek word “sophron” - of sound mind, self-possessed, sober, without excesses of any kind, moderate and discreet. The word originally was opposed to drunkenness, but it has a much deeper meaning, an outward action indicating an inward godly heart.
In the apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, this word occurs a number of times: Titus 2:2,5,6; 1Timothy 2:9;3:2,12. As advised in Vines Dictionary of NT Words, different classes of Christians were strongly advised to be sober. The key to WHY these strong admonitions were being given was because of the extravagances one must be aware of and guard against during particular periods of life. To aged men, the querulousness of old age, to young men, optimistic carelessness toward life, to young women, extravagances in dress and speech. Did you notice the risks that can keep older women from being sober-minded, especially in teaching young women? Even toward ministers they must face the dangers of poor judgment and unworthy conduct. Teaching
and training must include self-control, sound judgment, prudence, and discretion–sobriety!
No matter the age or circumstance, every Christian must be a leader in word and deed. To live a sober life requires one to be clear-headed in the midst of a discussion or argument, no matter the provocation. How we are living will reflect our attitude toward others. One must develop the ability to set aside selfish desires. There should be no jealousy or prejudice. Self-control is the aim in becoming mature and it is needed by all. A sober-minded man or woman is in control of their passions and desires.
Consider examples in the Bible where there was a failure in sober judgement, a
determination to do something without forethought, not recognizing it was out of anger and for selfish reasons. King David is a prime example (2Samuel 24 and 1Chronicles 21) when he reacted badly to God’s decisions and chose to have a census made of the fighting men in Israel. God punished him and 70,000 men died because of his decision. Thankfully, David recognized his sin. "Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Thy hand be against me and against my father's house." Being sober-minded and with sound judgement is so very important!
Yes, one can indeed be happy and enjoy life. By using self-control and being soberminded–of sound mind–it will help us make wise decisions against what the world falsely claims will bring happiness.
Joanne Beckley
“But I just want to be happy and free!” How many mothers are faced with this
exclamation from our teen daughters as they stamp their feet? Preceding this reaction was cautionary advice about how a young lady should act. As an older woman teaching and cautioning younger women, I continue to hear this same exclamation!
Happiness is not a goal taught in the Scriptures, but rather to be sober-minded. If the repeated cautionary words to be sober are so important, we need to examine why living a sober life can bring happiness. Will the joy in living for Jesus remove the pitfalls in just seeking happiness? Absolutely! Give careful consideration to the Greek word “sophron” - of sound mind, self-possessed, sober, without excesses of any kind, moderate and discreet. The word originally was opposed to drunkenness, but it has a much deeper meaning, an outward action indicating an inward godly heart.
In the apostle Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, this word occurs a number of times: Titus 2:2,5,6; 1Timothy 2:9;3:2,12. As advised in Vines Dictionary of NT Words, different classes of Christians were strongly advised to be sober. The key to WHY these strong admonitions were being given was because of the extravagances one must be aware of and guard against during particular periods of life. To aged men, the querulousness of old age, to young men, optimistic carelessness toward life, to young women, extravagances in dress and speech. Did you notice the risks that can keep older women from being sober-minded, especially in teaching young women? Even toward ministers they must face the dangers of poor judgment and unworthy conduct. Teaching
and training must include self-control, sound judgment, prudence, and discretion–sobriety!
No matter the age or circumstance, every Christian must be a leader in word and deed. To live a sober life requires one to be clear-headed in the midst of a discussion or argument, no matter the provocation. How we are living will reflect our attitude toward others. One must develop the ability to set aside selfish desires. There should be no jealousy or prejudice. Self-control is the aim in becoming mature and it is needed by all. A sober-minded man or woman is in control of their passions and desires.
Consider examples in the Bible where there was a failure in sober judgement, a
determination to do something without forethought, not recognizing it was out of anger and for selfish reasons. King David is a prime example (2Samuel 24 and 1Chronicles 21) when he reacted badly to God’s decisions and chose to have a census made of the fighting men in Israel. God punished him and 70,000 men died because of his decision. Thankfully, David recognized his sin. "Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Thy hand be against me and against my father's house." Being sober-minded and with sound judgement is so very important!
Yes, one can indeed be happy and enjoy life. By using self-control and being soberminded–of sound mind–it will help us make wise decisions against what the world falsely claims will bring happiness.
Joanne Beckley
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