Being Sober Minded!

The Bible tells us to be sober, be vigilant. You can't live your life down here carelessly just because you think you are a Christian. If you were in a dangerous situation, would you be looking for something that would put you at further risk? No! You would be alert and attentive to your surroundings and watching our for present danger. It is no different when the devil is attacking you with temptation. You are not going to say "what ever happens, happens", you are going to do your best to stay focused on Jesus and rely on His strength.

Maybe you don't think that you are in danger in the world. But the Bible tells us that the devil is roaming around looking for someone to devour.
1Peter; 5:8
(Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.)
Knowing then that he is out there and watching for someone who is not alert. Shouldn't you make every effort to arm your self with the Word of God? Strong confidence in God's care doesn't give us the right to live carelessly. Satan will do all he can to draw a Christian into temptation and away from the will of God.

We are told that Satan is out there and we are also told what we should do.
1Peter; 5:9
(Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.)
So how do we protect ourselves? We are no match for the devil on our own strength, so we stand in God's strength. We arm our self with the Word of God and stand true to the Word.
Ephesians; 6:10-12
(Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.)

If you are going to arm yourself, you must train yourself. You will do this by being in the Word of God. It is your most effective weapon. God's Word is the only weapon that we need to stand firm. It is more powerful than anything that Satan has in his armory.
Ephesians; 6:17
(And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;)
The word of God can bring down all of the enemy strongholds. The truth of the Scripture cannot be beaten.
2Corinthians; 10:3-5
(For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,)

If you want to have victory, you cannot put yourself in a vulnerable position. Now what I mean by this is you must be sober and not under the influence of anything that doesn't allow you to be battle ready. Maybe you don't get drunk or intoxicated, but are you in total control of yourself if you are drink? Statistics would say no you are not in control, you are impaired. Would you really want to put yourself in that position against a powerful adversary?

We need to remember to be sober, be alert, be prepared with the Word of God. Stand firmly on the Truth of the Scriptures, rely on God's strength and not ours. This is our victory, and it is in Jesus Christ and Him alone.

God Bless You!