For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ )

Last week, someone asked me a good question. “How are we supposed be sober-minded (which we are instructed to do in 1 Peter 5:8), while also being full of joy (since we are told in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice always)?”

In other words, they were wondering if being full of joy means our heads will always be in the clouds and therefore we won’t be realistic about the dangers of Satan and the temptations of the world.

And on the flipside, doesn’t being soberminded mean we are always a little skeptical, a little guarded, a little tense, and therefore unable to be joyful?

“Is it simply a balancing act?” they asked.

My answer, which I think is a biblical one, is that Christ-centered joy and Spirit-driven sober-mindedness must be married together. They need each other. They are like two petals on a bicycle. 

We are to be sober-minded because the devil is always on the prowl. But how do we stay alert? I think that's what Paul was actually getting after when he said:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬)

Rejoicing, expressing our joy in Christ and Christ alone, will keep us from being tempted by the devil to chase joy in the wrong places.

Having our joy rooted in Christ will help us have a kingdom perspective so that any pattern that is not of God will be easily recognizable.

Having our joy rooted in Christ will keep us from reacting too quickly and too impulsively to the hardships that we will face. 

Conversely, being sober-minded also helps protect our joy.

Being sober minded will prevent us from being tricked by the false advertising of the world, which promises more happiness if only we get a boyfriend, buy a new purse, click on that porn site, retaliate on social media, etc.

Being sober minded will prevent us from giving in to fear and worry and anxiety, because we will know they are coming from the father of lies.

In Act 16, Paul and Silas are arrested and thrown in prison. They are shackled and in pain.This would be the time when any one of us would be tempted to believe lies about God. We would be tempted to be fearful. Maybe to hate the guards.

They chose to sing hymns at midnight. They chose to praise. They chose to rejoice.

I think it was their attempt to stay sober-minded and alert, not letting the devil steal their faith and joy.

Consider Christ

It was for the joy set before Jesus, the joy of being exalted to the father‘s right hand and the joy of rescuing humanity from sin, that he endured the cross.

It was for the joy set before Jesus that he did not give in to the temptation of the devil in the wilderness. 

It was for the joy set before Jesus that he did not retaliate against the temple soldiers when they came to arrest him.

It was for the joy set before Jesus that he resisted the temptation to defend himself against Pontius Pilate.

It was for the joy set before Jesus that he refused to get off the cross, even though he had the power to do it.

Be Vigilent About Your Joy In Christ

The season of Lent is a season to be vigilant about our joy. It’s a season to be sober-minded about the importance of rejoicing.

Here's a challenge: take time every morning this week to consider what might be trying to steal your joy in Christ, or what might be tempting you to find it outside of Christ. Then go to war - by praising and rejoicing and celebrating all that He is and all that He has done.