I Thessalonians 5:8
“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”
Today’s focus will be on the phrase, “let us be sober”. A few verses earlier, drunkenness was referenced. However, I don’t think this is addressing that kind of sober. It’s more along the lines of being alert. The next charges have to do with putting on spiritual armor: the breastplate and the helmet. He’s saying there’s a battle and we need to be prepared.
To be sober means one’s senses are completely attuned; not dull. They are sharp and alert. It reminds me of the watchman in the tower. He’s scanning the surroundings, looking for the approach of the enemy.
What’s the battle? Who’s our opponent and what kind of attack could there be? We need to know there is a spiritual battle. It began before creation. Adam and Eve were the first human casualties. The devil would love to ruin us, as well. He hates God and knows harming us would hurt the Lord.
Being in Christ, we have a hedge of protection about us (Psalm 139:5). However, we have free will to oppose that. There is temptation of all sorts.
Due to the fall, we are compromised. Part of us has a tendency to sin and selfishness.
This verse warns us. Be sober. I Peter 5:8 gives us a similar warning; “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” We don’t live in a vacuum. There is the devil and the worldly culture which seeks our demise.
Lord, keep us from evil. Help us to avoid triggering our own weaknesses. Help us to stay clear the enemy