Be sober-minded; be watchful.  Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

1 Peter 5:8-9

It is noteworthy that Peter cautions Christians to be on the lookout for Satan immediately after exhorting us to cast all our cares and anxieties upon God (5:7-8).  Perhaps he thought of Jesus, who taught why faithful Christians should not be anxious or stressful about the necessities of life because the God who cares greatly for them would make sure they had what they needed to survive (Matt. 6:25-34; 7:7-11).  Yet Christ then immediately warned them about the dangers of false prophets and urge them to make sure they were on the narrow path to salvation by obeying God (Matt. 7:13-27).  In like manner, Peter teaches us that while it is true that God helps us in our struggles in this life, He does not fight our battles for us.  As Paul said, we are to “work out (our) own salvation with fear and trembling” even while knowing that “it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13).

“Sober-minded” comes from the Greek term nepho.  Literally, nepho means “to be free from the influence of intoxicants” (Vine) and to “abstain from wine (keep sober)” (Strong).  From a biological standpoint, it makes sense that God directs Christians to “abstain” from alcoholic beverages in order to “be free from the influence of intoxicants.”  According to the 1971 First Special Report to the U.S. Congress on Alcohol and Health, even the first sips of an alcoholic beverage can cause changes in mood or behavior.  Dr. Haven Emmerson agrees, citing studies of how the first measurable effects on younger, inexperienced drinkers were detected after half a can of beer; with adults who are occasional drinkers, the first measurable effects were detected after only one beer or cocktail (Alcohol, Its Effects on Man).  According to toxicologist Clarence Muehlberger, the “higher nerve functions of the forebrain, such as reasoning, judgment, and social restraint, are impaired by very low concentrations of alcohol in the blood” (1959 Encylopaedia Britannica article on drunkenness).  This is relevant because, as Peter says above, we are to “be watchful” or “vigilant” (NKJV) as we keep an eye out for our “the devil,” our “adversary” whom Peter compares to a dangerous predator stalking its prey, so that we can “resist” his temptations to sin.  Think of the many sins committed by those who have their self-control and inhibitions lowered by social drinking.  How can anyone have the cognitive mental control necessary to “be watchful” and “resist” Satan if their “reasoning, judgment, and social restraint” are “impaired by very low concentrations of alcohol” in their bloodstream due to drinking even small amounts of alcoholic beverages?  Yes, the Creator of our bodies knows what He’s talking about when He inspired Peter (and Paul – 1 Thess. 5:6-8) to use a Greek term which literally means “to abstain from wine” in their directive to Christians to be “sober-minded.”

James wrote, “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).  Peter lets us know what is needed to do this by telling us to be “firm in (our) faith.”  If we know God’s Word says ___________ is sinful and that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23; cf. Rev. 21:8) and yet decide to commit the sin anyway, it is likely because our faith in God’s promises is weak rather than firm and strong.  “Surely God would not condemn me for something as trivial as this!” is a deception Satan uses with great success.  A strong faith in God overcomes this lie.

It also helps to know that we are not alone in our struggles against sin.  Peter reminds us that Christians worldwide face the same trials and temptations we face (5:9b).  In like manner, Paul reminds us that “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man” (1 Cor. 10:13a).  It helps to know that others experience and understand my struggles.  That encouragement and support is one reason we come together as a church family (Heb. 10:24-25).

— Jon