Sobriety and
Dignity
Solomon’s
School of Experience
To what extent did
Solomon test the pleasures of this
world?
“I denied
myself nothing my eyes desired; I
refused my heart no pleasure. My
heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my
labor. Ecclesiastes 2:10.
How much true
enjoyment did a course afford?
“Yet when I
surveyed all that my hands had done
and what I toiled to achieve, everything
was meaningless, a chasing after the
wind; nothing was gained under the
sun.” Verse 11.
Of what does
Solomon bid the young, in the
buoyancy of youth, to be mindful?
“Be happy, young
man while you are young, and let your
heart give you joy in the days of
your youth. Follow the ways of the
heart and whatever your eyes see, but
know that all these things God will
bring you to judgment.”
Ecclesiastes 11:9.
Grace
Gives Sober Counsel
How does the grace
of God teach us that we should live?
“For the grace of
God that brings salvation has
appeared to all men. It teaches us to
say “No” to ungodliness and
worldly passions, and to live
self-controlled, upright and godly
lives in this present age.”
Titus 2:11,12.
What
classes of individuals are admonished
to be sober?
‘Teach the older
men to be temperate, worthy of
respect, self-controlled, and sound
in faith, in love an in endurance.
Like wise, teach the older women to
be reverent in the way they live, not
to slanderers or addicted to much
wine, but to teach what is good. They
can train the younger women to love
their husbands and children, to be
self-controlled and pure, to be busy
at home, to be kind, and to be
subjects to their husbands, so that
no one will malign the word of God. Similarly,
encourage the young men to be
self-controlled.”
Verse 2-6.
What
similar advice is given in the
Epistle to the Romans?
“Let us behave
decently, as in the daytime, not in
orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual
immorality and debauchery, not in
dissention and jealousy. Romans
13:13.
Foolishness,
Sin, and Satan
Why are foolish
talking and jesting to be avoided?
“Nor should there
be any obscenity, foolish talk or
course joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving.”
Ephesians 5:4.
Note – To indulge
in such things is not becoming a
Christian. Life, with all its
responsibilities and great issues at
stake, is too serious a matter to be
spent in such vanities. Levity,
foolishness, light and loose talking,
throw us off guard, and open the way
to temptation and sin. To avoid sin,
we must be sober and constantly on
guard.
Why
are sobriety and vigilance especially
necessary?
“Be
self-controlled and alert. Your
enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to
devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.
Sobriety and
Christ’s Second Coming
‘Therefore
prepare your minds for action; be
self-controlled; set your hope
fully on the grace to be given you
when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
1 Peter 1:13.
What other
consideration should lead us to
sobriety and watchfulness in this day
and time?
‘The end of all
things is near. Therefore be
clear-minded and self-controlled so
that you can pray.” 1 Peter 4:7.
