1 Peter 5:8 (AMP) Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.

“Be sober,” this is not talking about you being under the influence of recreational drugs and alcohol (as it does address that in the Bible as well). This is talking about your mind. It comes directly after Paul is telling us to cast all of our cares on Christ. What are some things that can intoxicate our minds? How about rehearsing a hurt? How about having conversations and arguments with someone who is not even around, just because you “felt attacked” on social media? How about looking for the ones to let you down, or keeping account of it (I know who is for me proclamations)? The enemy is looking to devour us and we serve it up a nice meal by making people out to be our enemies. Here are two scriptures for you:

Ephesians 6:12 (AMP) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 

Matthew 5:43-45 (AMP) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 

It is a sad time that we see anyone who does not have the same views as ourselves as our enemy. It is even sadder that when we feel challenged that we believe it is because we have come in contact with an enemy. I am going to challenge you with this. Why? I believe that challenge brings growth. Branches do not bend just because they are going through a storm, they bend when there is heavy fruit on them. I am wanting to see the fruit. Unfortunately when we feel challenged we think it is a storm and have to fight back. We pray against the storm (a person) and do not realize that we have voluntarily gone under the influence of the Adversary.

Job 2:2 (MEV) The Lord said to the Adversary, “From where do you come?” And the Adversary answered the Lord, saying, “From roaming on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”

Hear me out. You have to renew your mind daily (Romans 12:2). You have to cast down those imaginations (2 Corinthians 10:5). Remember the first part of 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober.” The Adversary, Satan, is roaming around looking for someone to devour. I have to be vigilant with my thought life. I am not fearful, but I am learning more and more the triggers that cause me to be intoxicated with negative thoughts.

John 10:10 (AMP) The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

Here is a good test for myself: Did that thought cause me to lose my joy? Did that thought cause me to lose my patience with my brothers and sisters in Christ (Ephesians 42)? Am I struggling to see the best for them? Did I lose my peace and now in fear of being found out for how a truly feel about someone? Did I respond with kindness or defense? Did I exhibit self control or was I my just being my true self? If I am having a hard time exhibiting qualities of compassion for someone, it is because of me, not them. Christ said to pray. So that is what I am doing. I am praying for God to give me such a deep love for them, so that it is all that flows out of me. Unselfish love does not hold words, thoughts or feeling against one another.

Philippians 4:8 (AMP) Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].

None of us have finished the race, as long as there is breath in our lungs (1 Corinthians 9:24). I am transforming more and more each day into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). So that means I need to test my sobriety against the Word. I cannot be tested unless I am challenged. I will not grow the best fruit unless I submit to the pruning (John 15:1-8). I do not want to become stagnant and have a fixed mindset (Zephaniah 1:12), then I will start to stink up the areas of influence I once had and kill off others fruit. I want my thoughts to align with His thoughts (1 Corinthians 2:16). Just because something was true about someone ten years ago, does not mean it is true now. Allow growth in others, just like you would like for people to see growth in you also. Be sober minded.