1 Peter 1:13
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The picture of a man who is not sober is a drunken man, someone who is under the influence of alcohol. So often when we see a drunk man, we recognise the person by his behaviour. We see the person mumbling nonsense, swaying from one side to another while walking, or being unconscious. This is all due to the effect of alcohol.

In this verse, God is encouraging us through the words of Paul to be sober, to be in control, in other words, to exercise self-control. In today's world, many people, myself included, live for our own desires and flesh. We are contented with fulfilling the lust of the flesh and doing what pleases us more than what pleases God.

This is a reminder to me that I need to have self-control or spiritual discipline in what I do, what I want, what I practise. Spiritual discipline is an attitude that every believer must have in order to live the effective and powerful Christian life.

I'll end with this little story about self-control and having discipline in our lives. Remember, if we are not disciplined in the seemingly small things in our life, we would not be able to do great things for God.

During his term as President of the U.S., Lyndon Johnson was somewhat overweight.

One day his wife challenged him with this blunt assertion: "You can't run the country if you can't run yourself."

Respecting Mrs. Johnson's wise observation, the President lost 23 pounds.