Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
*Strong's Ex. Con. No. 4993
Sober Judgment: be of sound mind, temperate, exercise self-control, think shrewdly
From the Greek word 'sóphroneó' (pronounced so-fron-eh'-o). A personal word/phrase: I exercise self-control, I am of sound mind, I am sober-minded.
Self-examination of how we think and why we think thus and so is good for our souls. As in all other aspects of our life, we learn by observation. So we must watch ourselves. Not so much as to be self-involved, but to see ourselves for who we truly are: sinners who need a Savior.
Because we recognize we need a Savior, we are made aware that it is not only ourselves who need saving, but the people around us, whether we know them or not. We are the church and as the church we need to go out into the highways and byways to reach the lost and dying, bringing them into the body of Christ with us. None of us is greater or lesser than the other. "We are all members of one body" (Ephesians 4:25). And that body is Christ's (1 Corinthians 12:27).
How do we exercise self-control in our thinking? Be wise/shrewd as serpents (Matthew 10:16). Be wise in knowing what is good and innocent (Romans 16:19). We can only know what is good and innocent when we know God's Word, so we must read it and study it out for ourselves. We need to meditate on God's Word, allowing God to write His Word on our hearts when we study and pray.
We exercise wisdom when we listen to the voice of Wisdom (Proverbs 1:33; Proverbs 2). Ignoring the voice of Wisdom is our downfall. Now, remember, Paul is writing to the church. So these words he pens about being sober-minded, he pens to the church, to us who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation.
If we are going to boast about anything, it should be that we have received the salvation of God through the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17; 1:31; Psalms 105:3; Jeremiah 9:24): let us glory in The Lord.
Romans 12:14-20 gives us more insight on how to be shrewd Christians:
14. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
16. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited.
17. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
19. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
20. On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Have compassion. Live in harmony. Enjoy the company of the humble. Do what is right. Live in peace. Don't be vengeful, petty or rise up against those who come against us. And, as verse 20 tells us, Feed our enemies, give water to the thirsty.
We are living in a world that is so self-centered and self-involved that doing the right thing in the eyes of God is becoming a criminal act. People are not only having their Bibles taken away and burned, but their churches are being demolished, their religious rights are being struck down in high courts. Children are separated from parents, the elderly are encouraged to die instead of receiving healing care.
Yet, we are not to attack in any way, shape or form those who are coming against us. We are not to think of ourselves as better than the unsaved who desire us to vanish away, but to remember that they need a Savior, they need to be loved into the kingdom of God just like we were loved into the kingdom of God when someone prayed for us.
Love. The true love of God in Christ is our only hope, our testimony is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. That is how we are to love one another. whether or not they are a part of the body of Christ, for the body is continually growing. The Word says to us, "Love one another as I have loved you." (John 13:34).
When we love one another like that, we know we are being wise. Because a person cannot love like Christ unless Christ is living in them. We are directed by The Holy Spirit of God which direction to go in and He fills our mouths with the words we are to speak at the right time they need to be spoken.
Are you filled with The Holy Spirit? Seek God in prayer and wait on Him to fill you. Then you truly will be able to live a life of self-control, for He will help you.
O Lord fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we might walk in Your Spirit, live in Your Word and Your Word live in us. We need Your strength, Your wisdom and Your power to lives out these last days You have given us. Help us to make wise choices, lead excellent lives: for Your glory and Your praise. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns
Spirit Lead Me by Michael Ketterer
Abide In Me by Andrew Marcus
Ancient Words by Michael W. Smith
Word of God Speak by MercyMe
