Sobriety
Charles Buck Theological Dictionary [1]
Freedom from any inordinate passion. "Sobriety, " as one observes, "is both the ornament and the defense of a Christian. It is requisite in every situation, and in every enterprise; indeed nothing can be done well without it. The want of sobriety is seen and felt by multitudes every day. Without sobriety a man is exposed to the tossing of the merciless waves, destitute of an anchor. Sobriety is a security against the baneful influence of turbulent passions; it is self-possession; it is self-defence. It is necessary on all occasions: when we read, when we hear, when we pray, when we converse, when we form schemes, when we pursue them, when we prosper, when we fail. Sobriety is necessary for all descriptions of character; it is necessary for the young and for the old; for the rich and the poor, for the wise and for the illiterate; all need to 'be sober.' The necessity of sobriety is 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, 1 Peter 5:8 . Philippians 4:5 . Titus 2:12 . 1 Peter 4:7 .
2. Our profession as Christians.
3. The example of Jesus Christ, and 4. The near approach of death and judgment."
King James Dictionary [2]
SOBRI'ETY, n. L. sobrietas, from sobrius.
1. Habitual soberness or temperance in the use of spirituous liquors as when we say. a man of sobriety. 2. Freedom from intoxication. Public sobriety is a relative duty. 3. Habitual freedom from enthusiasm, inordinate passion or overheated imagination calmness coolness as the sobriety of riper years the sobriety of age. 4. Seriousness gravity without sadness or melancholy. Mirth makes them not mad, nor sobriety sad.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): ( n.) Habitual freedom from enthusiasm, inordinate passion, or overheated imagination; calmness; coolness; gravity; seriousness; as, the sobriety of riper years.
(2): ( n.) Habitual soberness or temperance as to the use of spirituous liquors; as, a man of sobriety.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [4]
SOBRIETY . See Temperance, 1 .
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [5]
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 ( 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Philippians 4:5; Titus 2:12).; (2) our profession as Christians; (3) the example of Jesus Christ; and (4) the near approach of death and judgment.
