Be Sensible
May I share a word with you? It is a Greek word that appears sixteen times in the New Testament. Observing it’s richness of meaning, one word scholar observed there are several shades of meaning in it and there is no one precise English equivalent. All attempts at translation prove too narrow. That explains why there are so many different translations of this word in the New Testament, such as “sound mind, sober-minded, self-controlled, temperate, and discreet.”
This word means to be sane, that is, being in one’s right mind, not being crazy (Mk. 5:15; Lk. 8:35; Acts 26:25; 2 Cor. 5:13), but it much more than that. It describes a sane, sensible, sober-minded, self-controlled person. In other words, there are two basic nuances in this word: sound, sane sense and self control that curbs desires and impulses.
People with this characteristic are not only sane; they are sensible. This word describes someone who is facing things realistically, free from delusion. It is thinking about and evaluating situations maturely and correctly.
People with this characteristic are not only sensible, they are self-controlled. This word depicts sound judgment that exercises restraint and is not impulsive. It does not allow emotion to take over; it keeps cool under pressure. When people with this quality get angry, they control it instead of it controlling them.
Jeremy Taylor says, “It is reason’s girdle, and passions bridle.”
Barclay says it characterizes people who see what things are important and what things are not important; it is not swept away by sudden and capricious and transitory enthusiasms. It is only when we see the affairs and the activities of earth in the light of eternity that we see them in their proper proportions and their proper importance. It is when God is given His proper place that all things take their proper places.
This is an equal opportunity word. Elders must have it (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8). Older men should posses it (Titus 2:2) as should older women (Titus 2:5), younger men (Titus 2:6) and younger women (1 Tim. 2:9, 2:15; Titus 2:4). All believers are to think like this (Rom. 12:3) and live like this (Titus 2:12).
In Romans 12:3, this word is rendered “think soberly.” When believers first trusted Christ, they are given a spiritual gift. That gift should determine their estimate of themselves and their place in the body of Christ. Thus, they will have a sane, sober estimate of themselves and not think too highly of themselves, that is, be puffed up with an idea of their own self-importance.
In short, be sensible. Exercise more self control. I can imagine someone saying, “I need more of that.” There is hope. This same word is used of the way we are to pray (1 Pet. 4:7) and it is God who grants us the ability to be what He want us to be (2 Tim. 1:7).
© G. Michael Cocoris, 7/29/2008
This word means to be sane, that is, being in one’s right mind, not being crazy (Mk. 5:15; Lk. 8:35; Acts 26:25; 2 Cor. 5:13), but it much more than that. It describes a sane, sensible, sober-minded, self-controlled person. In other words, there are two basic nuances in this word: sound, sane sense and self control that curbs desires and impulses.
People with this characteristic are not only sane; they are sensible. This word describes someone who is facing things realistically, free from delusion. It is thinking about and evaluating situations maturely and correctly.
People with this characteristic are not only sensible, they are self-controlled. This word depicts sound judgment that exercises restraint and is not impulsive. It does not allow emotion to take over; it keeps cool under pressure. When people with this quality get angry, they control it instead of it controlling them.
Jeremy Taylor says, “It is reason’s girdle, and passions bridle.”
Barclay says it characterizes people who see what things are important and what things are not important; it is not swept away by sudden and capricious and transitory enthusiasms. It is only when we see the affairs and the activities of earth in the light of eternity that we see them in their proper proportions and their proper importance. It is when God is given His proper place that all things take their proper places.
This is an equal opportunity word. Elders must have it (1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:8). Older men should posses it (Titus 2:2) as should older women (Titus 2:5), younger men (Titus 2:6) and younger women (1 Tim. 2:9, 2:15; Titus 2:4). All believers are to think like this (Rom. 12:3) and live like this (Titus 2:12).
In Romans 12:3, this word is rendered “think soberly.” When believers first trusted Christ, they are given a spiritual gift. That gift should determine their estimate of themselves and their place in the body of Christ. Thus, they will have a sane, sober estimate of themselves and not think too highly of themselves, that is, be puffed up with an idea of their own self-importance.
In short, be sensible. Exercise more self control. I can imagine someone saying, “I need more of that.” There is hope. This same word is used of the way we are to pray (1 Pet. 4:7) and it is God who grants us the ability to be what He want us to be (2 Tim. 1:7).
© G. Michael Cocoris, 7/29/2008
