But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. I Peter 4:7 (KJV)

As we discussed yesterday, sober in the Greek means free from the intoxications of life. Therefore, anything we’re intoxicated with does not promote freedom unless it is of God.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1 (KJV)

How do we do this? By standing with our minds renewed to God’s Word (Romans 12:2) and by communicating with God, praying in the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, Acts 2:1-4).

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jude 1:20 (KJV)

The Word of God and the Spirit of God will keep our minds free from being intoxicated with the things of life. We will be able to think straight and make solid decisions because we won’t be filled with worry and distractions. Instead, we will operate out of a knowledge of God’s Word (Ephesians 4:23, Ephesians 5:10) and by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14, Acts 13:1-4).

If we are influenced by anyone or anything that keeps our thoughts on someone or something other than God, our thinking becomes toxic. When our thinking has been poisoned by wrong influences, we do not think in line with God’s Word. We must replace toxic thoughts with God’s Word and prayer. As we do, we will have a sober mind, not intoxicated with the things of the world or negative thinking. We are to use Scripture to cast down wrong thoughts and replace them with God’s thoughts. We do this by renweing our minds to God’s Word and then speaking the Word.

We must be persistent to do this every day. As we do, strongholds are broken (II Corinthians 10:4-5). A stronghold is a wrong mindset, built over time by wrong thoughts that we have believed. As we begin to cast down wrong thoughts and replace them with God’s thoughts, which is the Word of God, we become intoxicated with Gods’ Word and Spirit instead of the world’s thoughts and attitudes.As we become more and more sober-minded, we will think right, pray right,and do right- and freedom is ours.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32 (KJV)