Post by Ɖσмιиιc on May 4, 2023 18:35:43 GMT -7
Sober
- not intoxicated
- abstaining from drinking alcohol or taking intoxicating drugs : refraining from the use of addictive substances
- sparing in the use of food and drink
- marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor
This term is used in Recovery (stopping an addictive behavior or thought pattern) and it's also in the Holy Bible.
I have found that this word is interesting. If I can add my own opinion and understanding, to also agree on and stand upon first the Word of God.
Here are some Bible examples from the KJV and I'll put some modern translations to compare the use of the word "sober"
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 KJV
Therefore let us not sleep as others do. But let us be alert and sober. 1 Thessalonians 5:6 MEV
Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. Titus 2:6 KJV
Likewise, exhort young men to be self-controlled Titus 2:6 MEV
The greek word is σωφρονέω which means this
The KJV translates Strong's G4993 in the following manner: be in right mind (2x), be sober (2x), be sober minded (1x), soberly (1x).
The outline of Biblical usage is this
1. to be of sound mind
a. to be in one's right mind
b. to exercise self control
i. to put a moderate estimate upon one's self, think of one's self soberly
ii. to curb one's passions
The state of being is of a "sound mind", in a "right mind"
The effort is "self-control". Self-control in this context means to curb one's passions. Think of one's self soberly.
This calls for self-checks (self-examination).
If I were to go to the doctors and "tell the doctors" what I feel my sickness is, ...that is not going to help me
If I were to read the doctors manuals and study THEN go to the doctors, that Doctor, if he or she is good, will confirm the same diagnosis of what I am thinking of the sickness is.
One advantage we would have in that scenarios is that we are in our own bodies and know what we are experiencing.
One disadvantage we would also have simultaneously is that we might be "intoxicated" in our understanding with worry, fear, panic and therefore could not make the right judgment.
One other disadvantage also is that the doctor might have inexperience.....or might mis-diagnose.
Therefore we conclude that man, although can help, man is flawed and cannot always 24/7 provide his patients a correct diagnoses.
The correct diagnoses is so serious that is because it's dealing with our state of mind, which is of great worth and power too.
We desperately need a doctor who can understand us completely, not using man's methods or men's logic because we know how ill-prepared we really are.
When we listen to others share how they are helped by a doctor through a medicine or surgery, we are encouraged and have hope.
When we listen to others share how they were actually injured more by a medical professional, we lose faith in the medical system, in man's help and try to find a second opinion for our sickness, why? Because it's that important to us, what? our health, our state of mind (mental health) and our spiritual health (soul/spirit state).
With so much knowledge out there,
With so much experience out there,
It's difficult to find "a good doctor" or "a good teacher" or you know what I"m trying to say.
Who is it that you are following and listening to?
Do you really trust anyone?
Do you really trust a doctor?
Do you really trust in self?
Do you really trust in God?
I am asking these questions to myself.
How can this help anyone if I am not first helped and can process and understand this dilemma? I can't.
I think the "best" scenario is to give to others what has worked for me, what is helping me, and my beliefs, opinions, convictions are all played into this.
It's very deep.
We are very skeptical too, we see that "why is that gonna work? when I think this is just as good" and this kind of skepticism and mentally is something I also struggle with.
Someone's advice is "try what works" or "just get help however you can"
That is not going to work.
In life, we first need to be with God and we can't do anything by ourself either.
According to the Bible, this means, not just "acting" a certain way but "thinking" and "desiring" a certain way too, this way of the Jesus Christ.
Jesus's desires
Jesus's thoughts
Jesus actions
Of course, we are not going to be doing the miracles that Jesus did
Of course, we are not going to be perfectly sinless that way and degree that Jesus was
but....
we are told to a few things by Jesus. That is the good doctors advice.
This is very difficult to see and understand because we are all different but if we go to God and ask for help, God helps us,
That is it.
Simple.
Now the mental struggles for me.
"How can I stop sinning?"
"How can I stop thinking of that person?"
"How can I live a pure life?"
"How can I life a faithful life?"
"How can I life with sober mindedness?"
Then there is the opportunities at work. Some opportunities are created by me and some are not created by me.
For example, if I contact a person to help them to ask them how their day was...that is an opportunity controlled by me.
For example, if I am contacted by a person because they need some help, that is not an opportunity controlled by me.
If I did something, then lusted .....that was me opening the door....
this is where the battle is,
Battle of the willpower
Battle of the desires
Battle of the thoughts
Battle of the passions
There is two desires
one desire is to please the flesh and fantasy in secrecy and pleasure
the other desire to to be accountable to God, knowing He's watching and wanting to please God, trusting and obeying God, struggling at times,
That's it.
That's how I see it.
So when happens when I am able to resist temptations and not fall down into lust, not think of women as objects, and lust after them.....it would mean that God is helping me.
Now if I am being helped by God in one area of my life, but get to a place of happiness, and get "angry, fearful" or some other thing that displeases God, that is a back door for the enemy to work in our lifes
For example, let's say I was sober today, I didn't get aroused even once and I was thinking healthy today, that is a good day in the area of my sobriety but if I get depressed, defeated, in something else, there is something still not "sober" and "right"
Regardless of the word, something is wrong. Sober or not sober.
Generally, this "wrong" is sin that lives in us. We know it's there, we know there are thoughts that enter into our mind that are not pleasing the Lord and not beneficial for us.
There seems to always be work to be done, because we are alive and live in a fluid motion of energy and state of being and it's up and down and happy and sad.