SCRIPTURE: 1 PETER 5:8

We're told to be sober and vigilant—to have control over our desires and emotions so that we possess clear-mindedness. In context, to be sober doesn’t just mean to abstain from alcohol or drugs, but of anything that influences our thoughts and emotions towards evil desires. The most common example of this today is drunkenness on anger, hatred, pride, jealousy, longing for unrighteous justice, wealth, power, and sexual pleasure. When we aren’t of sound mind, we leave the door wide open for the adversary (Satan) to enter into our heart and mind. Our adversary paces like a lion, waiting for us to reveal a weakness so that he can attack. He doesn’t play defense but is actively advancing destruction wherever he can. He fights dirty and doesn’t play by the rules. If we give him an inch, he will take a mile; if we leave the door cracked, he will sneak past. No matter how great his arguments sound, they are never for our benefit—he considers us collateral damage. Our only defense is setting our sights on God’s will instead of concerning ourselves with the traditions of man and the things that satisfy the flesh. By doing so, we can overcome spiritual blindness.