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XII.
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.
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.
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 |
