Having a Sober Mind

March 11, 2025

The New Testament speaks often of the need to be “sober.”  Being sober certainly means that Christians should never be intoxicated by alcohol or other substances, but the word goes beyond prohibiting physical drunkenness.  Being sober is to be free from mental and spiritual intoxication.  It is to be self-controlled and to avoid the passions and lusts that will cloud our minds and souls.

There are many things in this world that can cause spiritual intoxication.  And just as with physical intoxication, those who are spiritually intoxicated make bad choices, can’t see the consequences of their actions, and are unresponsive to any help or correction.  Those who are spiritually intoxicated can have a false sense that everything is great, when in reality they may be in very serious danger.  What can cause spiritual drunkenness?  Following our own sinful lusts and pleasures will certainly do it.  But pursuing anything (even if it is not inherently sinful) in an excessive, uncontrolled manner can make us numb to spiritual realities and keep us from seeing spiritual dangers. Career, money, pleasure, and entertainment have always been potential sources of intoxication.  And in our day, we have the added threats of our devices and social media.  While not wrong to use in and of themselves, it is easy to see how these things can dull our spiritual senses. 

What do the scriptures say about sobriety?  Why is it so important?  Let’s look at a couple uses of this word.  Peter writes, “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7 NASB95) We must be sober so that we will be people of prayer.  We are in a spiritual battle, and we need to be alert and aware so that we can see spiritual needs and pray for ourselves and others.  Peter again says, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) A lack of sobriety will cause us to be unaware of the spiritual dangers that surround us.  Those who are not keeping themselves sober may not hear the lion’s roar, and they can easily be devoured.  But those who are sober can see the dangers, and they have the spiritual presence of mind to take quick, sensible action.

Let us heed the Lord’s warnings and be sober in mind and spirit.    

—Scott Colvin

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Posted by Scott Colvin

Drunkenness and Debauchery

July 10, 2015

The headline was sensational: “Help! I Just Accidentally Slept with 25 Men and I Don’t Know Who the Father Is…” Although I grieve for this young woman and her unborn child, I can’t help notice the word, “accidentally.” It is hard to learn from moral failures, if you don’t accept moral responsibility. I’m reminded of Theodore Dalrymple’s book, In Praise of Prejudice. No, Dalrymple is not a racist, and the book is not about that kind of prejudice. He notes that many people in our culture seem to lack the ability to prejudge certain actions as leading to bad consequences. They live in a moral fog, and they suffer painful consequences because they lack prudence — the ability to see moral danger ahead.

What was this young woman’s story? She became drunk. She watched porn with these men. She fornicated with these men. She became pregnant.

Scripture warns against drunkenness and calls it sin:

“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.” (1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV, emphasis added)

“… nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:10 ESV, emphasis added)

“…envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21 ESV, emphasis added)

But scripture also gives us a clue as to why drunkenness is bad. It is linked to debauchery: “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery. . .” (Ephesians 5:18, ESV). This term probably doesn’t communicate with us very well unless we look it up. It means recklessness. Several translations attempt to convey the sense to English readers: “leads to reckless actions” HCSB, “ruin your life” NLT, “don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk” CEV. Drunkenness is wrong because it leads to a loss of inhibitions, which means a loss of moral judgment. Bad things tend to follow.

Although our culture attempts to stigmatize drunk driving, it seems over the past few decades there has been some loss of stigma attached to drunkenness. One piece of evidence is the fact that FaceBook is working on a filter to determine whether your posted picture is of someone drunk or sober. Drunk photos are getting people in trouble with their employers. Don’t be fooled. Salvation does hang in the balance. These two things do go together — drunkenness and debauchery.

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Posted by Russell Holden