Two Are Better Than One

1 Peter 4:7-11, SOUND MIND

so-phroNEofrom SOphron*, 6x (15), Strong’s #4993

One. Luke 8:35 (26-39) RIGHT MIND: JESUS IMPARTS TO A DEMONIAC. “And they went out to see what had come to pass; and they came to :Jesus, and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out, sitting, clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of :Jesus: and they were afraid.” Like the demoniac, because it is the Last Days, we should let the Spirit of Jesus lead us into a sound mind also. Satan hindered the demoniac from this; an unsurrendered life on our part keeps us from this.

Two. Acts 26:25 (24-29) WORDS OF SOBERNESS: PAUL’S LIFE-STYLE. “But :Paul says, I am not mad, excellent Festus; but I speak forth words of truth and soberness.” Upset Festus thought Paul was mad. But Paul averred his words were sober. This is an example for us in these Last Days.

Three. ROM 12:3 (3-21) SOBER THINKING: BASIS FOR OUR MEASURE OF FAITH. “For I say through the grace :given me, to every man that is among you, not to think more highly that heought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, as :God has dealt to each a measure of faith.” How can we boast when all we have is a gift from God? This is true both in the natural as well as the spiritual.

Four. 2 COR 5:13 (11-15) PAUL’S SOBER MIND: FOR BENEFIT OF BELIEVERS. “For whether we were beside ourselves, it is to God; whether we are of sober mind, it isto you.” Just as Paul restrained his ecstasy in God’s presence for the sake of believers – so we, because it is the last days – should manifest a sound mind in this earthly life. It is good to think of others before ourselves.

Five. 1 TIM 2:9 (8-15) SOBRIETY: PAUL’S STANDARD FOR WOMEN. “Likewise, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefastness and sobriety; not with braids, and gold or pearls or costly raiment.” Sobriety is of course for both men and women. And we are to remember that these are the words of our Lord Jesus through Paul, 1 COR 14:37 (37-40).

Six. 1 TIM 2:15 (8-15) SOBRIETY: RELEASES THE BLESSING OF JESUS THROUGH MARY’S CHILDBEARING! “But she shall be saved through the childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety. Faithful the saying.” This is a great truth. It is through woman that God chose to bring his Son into the world. And through a sober, right mind – all of us enter into his salvation.

Seven. TIT 2:6 (1-10) SOBER-MINDEDNESS: A GOAL FOR ALL YOUNG MEN. “The younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded.” This is a passage for all ages, both sexes, servants and employees. God has His eye on youth for good. Indeed, here are exhortations in line with our text of 1 Peter 4:7.