Sobriety
Sobriety, freedom from any inordinate passion that quiet self possession which enables one to devote himself to the matter in hand, whether prayer, meditation, study, forming schemes, laboring to carry them out, and which keeps the individual from undue elevation in prosperity or depression in case of failure. The necessity of sobriety is especially obvious:
(1) In our inquiries after, truth as opposed to presumption; (2) in our pursuit of this world as opposed to covetousness; (3) in the use and estimate of the things of this world as opposed to excess (4) in trials and afflictions as opposed to impatience; (5) in forming our judgment of others as opposed to censoriousness;
(6) in speaking of one's self as opposed to egotism. Many motives might be urged to this exercise, as (1) the general language of Scripture (1Pe 4:7; 1Pe 5:8; Php 4:5; Tit 2:12).; (2) our profession as Christians; (3) the example of Jesus Christ; and (4) the near approach of death and judgment.
