INTRODUCTION

A man’s thoughts serve as the foundation for his actions. If a man fails to be sober minded, he will likely fail to behave soberly. The Bible likens a sober mind to one that has girded loins. When a man would gird his loins, he would tie off his garments in such a way to assist him during work or when he was running. A man’s mind is best prepared to work properly when it is girded up with sobriety. This sobriety keeps a man humble by keeping him from thinking “of himself more highly than he ought to think” (Romans 12:3For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
See All...). Pride hinders a man’s ability to work for the Lord, but sobriety girds up the mind with humility. It is very important for this sobriety to begin taking root in one’s youth (Titus 2:6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When David faced the giant, he had already girded up the loins of his mind. He thought seriously about what he was going to do by reflecting upon what he had done in the past. Equally important or more important was his giving to God all the credit and glory (1 Samuel 17:32-37 [32] And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine. [33] And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth. [34] And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: [35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. [36] Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. [37] David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
  See All..., 45-47). We, too, must realize that we need God to fight and win our battles (James 4:10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
  See All...; 1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Who have you told about the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? When is the last time you told somebody about Christ? Are you ashamed of the gospel of Christ (Romans 1:16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
  See All...)?
• What are some ways in which sobriety helps your mind to function better for the glory of God? What pitfalls does sobriety help you avoid?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to teach you how to gird up your mind.
• Ask the Lord to keep you from the snares of Satan.

HYMN

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