Recently, I was listening to one of my favorite praise and worship leaders being interviewed on a talk show. The talk show host was telling the praise and worship leader how awesome her voice was, and asked her why she was not in show business. He went on to say, “after all, gospel is show business these days; you could be living the celebrity life style.” She looked at him and said “My voice is to be used for HIS glory alone, I want to live sober, I have people looking up to me.”

In that very moment our Beloved LORD JESUS spoke to my heart and spoke two words “sober and alert”. HE confirmed I was witnessing a “sober” life.

To live sober, is to live a righteous life:

1. that glorifies HIM, instead of glorifying self
2. whose external conduct reflects HIS inner presence
3. where internal thoughts reflect the day-by-day transforming work of HIS Holy SPIRIT in hearts
4. that is focused on living out HIS WORD daily
5. not distracted by the intoxications of this world
6. that is alert to HIS Voice, therefore avoiding traps set by the enemy
7. that apprises all things spiritually

The end of all things is near

Therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit

For the purpose of prayer

1 Peter 4:7

Reviewing Scriptural Support for the definitions of “living sober” ― a righteous life is:

A life that glorifies HIM:

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works

And glorify your FATHER WHO is in Heaven

Matthew 5:16

A life that does not glorify self:

I do not receive glory from men

But I know you, that you do not have the love of GOD in yourselves

I have come in MY FATHER’S NAME, and you do not receive ME

If another comes in his own name, you will receive him

How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another

And you do not seek the glory that is from The ONE and ONLY GOD?

John 5:41-44

A life whose external conduct reflects HIS inner presence:

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh

But those who are according to The Spirit, the things of The Spirit

For the mind set on the flesh is death

But the mind set on The Spirit is life and peace

Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward GOD

For it does not subject itself to The LAW of GOD, for it is not even able to do so

And those who are in the flesh cannot please GOD

However, you are not in the flesh but in The Spirit, if indeed The Spirit of GOD dwells in you

But if anyone does not have The Spirit of CHRIST, he does not belong to HIM

Romans 8:5-9

A life whose internal thoughts reflect the day-by-day transforming work of HIS Holy SPIRIT:

But you did not learn CHRIST in this way

If indeed you have heard HIM and have been taught in HIM

Just as truth is in JESUS

That, in reference to your former manner of life

You lay aside the old self

Which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit

And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind

And put on the new self

Which in the likeness of GOD has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth

Ephesians 4:20-24

A life focused on living out The WORD daily:

I have set The LORD continually before me

Because HE is at my right hand, I will not be shaken

Psalm 16:8

So I will keep YOUR LAW continually

Forever and ever

And I will walk at liberty

For I seek YOUR PRECEPTS

I will also speak of YOUR TESTIMONIES before kings

And shall not be ashamed

I shall delight in YOUR COMMANDMENTS

Which I love

And I shall lift up my hands to YOUR COMMANDMENTS

Which I love

And I will meditate on YOUR STATUTES

Psalm 119:44-48

Become sober-minded as you ought

And stop sinning

For some have no knowledge of God

I speak this to your shame.

1 Corinthians 15:34

A life not distracted by the intoxications of this world:

Do not love the world nor the things in the world

If anyone loves the world, the love of The FATHER is not in him

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life

Is not from The FATHER, but is from the world

The world is passing away, and also its lusts

But the one who does the will of GOD lives forever

1 John 2:15-17

A life that is alert:

For it is HE WHO delivers you

From the snare of the trapper

And from the deadly pestilence

Psalm 91:3

Take heed, keep on the alert

For you do not know when the appointed time will come

It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge

Assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert

Therefore, be on the alert — for you do not know when The MASTER of the house is coming

Whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning

In case HE should come suddenly and find you asleep

“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!'”

Mark 13:33-37

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you

For you yourselves, know full well

That The Day of The LORD will come just like a thief in the night

While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly

Like labor pains upon a woman with child

And they will not escape

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief

For you are all sons of LIGHT and sons of day

We are not of night nor of darkness

So then let us not sleep as others do

But let us be alert and sober

For those who sleep do their sleeping at night

And those who get drunk get drunk at night

But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love

And as a helmet, the hope of salvation

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8

Be of sober spirit

Be on the alert

Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion

Seeking someone to devour

1 Peter 5:8

A life that apprises all things spiritually:

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world

But The SPIRIT WHO is from GOD

So that we may know the things freely given to us by GOD

Which things we also speak

Not in words taught by human wisdom

But in those taught by The SPIRIT

Combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words

But a natural man does not accept the things of The SPIRIT of GOD

For they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised

But he who is spiritual, appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one

1 Corinthians 2:12-15

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief

In which the heavens will pass away with a roar

And the elements will be destroyed with intense heat

And the earth and its works will be burned up

Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way

What sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness

2 Peter 3:10-11