Section 12

Christian Growth and Experience

Chapter 135.

Sobriety

1. To what extent did Solomon test the pleasures of this world?
"Whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy." "I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure." Eccl. 2:10, 1.

2. How much true enjoyment did such a course afford?
"Behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit." Verse 11.

3. Of what does Solomon bid the young, in the buoyancy of youth, to be mindful?
"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl. 11:9.

4. How does the grace of God teach us that we should live?
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." Titus 2:11,12.

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5. What classes of individuals are admonished to be sober?
"That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, . . . that they may teach the young women to be sober. . . . Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded." Verses 2-6.

NOTE.-These four classes include all. All should be sober.

6. What similar advice is given in the epistle to the Romans?
"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying." Rom. 13:13.

7. What testimony does the apostle Peter bear on this point?
"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:13.

8. Why are foolish talking and jesting to be avoided?
"Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient." Eph. 5:4.

NOTE.-To indulge in such things is not becoming a Christian. Life, with all its responsibilities and great issues at stake, is too serious a matter to be spent in such vanities.

9. What is the thought of foolishness declared to be?
"The thought of foolishness is sin." Prov. 24:9.

NOTE.-Levity, foolishness, light and loose talking, throw us off our guard, and open the way to temptation and sin. To avoid sin, we must be sober and constantly on guard.

10. Why are sobriety and vigilance especially necessary?
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8.

11. What other consideration should lead us to sobriety and watchfulness?
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7.

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HOW vain are all things here below!
How false, and yet how fair!
Each pleasure bath its poison, too,
And every sweet a snare.
ISAAC WATTS
 

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