Self-Controlled and Sober-Minded

I Peter 4:7

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers

God is serious.

Embed this command deep in your hearts. We must leave the temporal behind and focus on the eternal. The ESV Study Bible rightly comments on this verse: "believers are to be self-controlled and sober-minded so that they may be devoted to prayer and maximize their usefulness in God's kingdom".

Beloveds, filter your activities and how you spend your time. Ask: Is this eternal? Is this the best use of my time?

Someone who is not self-controlled and sober-minded might be doing good things, but not the best things. Learn to discern the works God has ordained for you. Weed out the rest. Maximize your time in prayer. Maximize your usefulness in God's kingdom.

If you feel passionate about any other thing, fast from it! Forsake it. Remove it from the center of your heart. It's OK to have fun, but not if it gets in the way of prayer and spreading His kingdom. This is a discipline that requires self-control and sober-mindedness. Hopefully, it will be ours for generations to come.

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