Sensibly (soberly) (4996) (sophronos from sozo = save + phren= mind) is an adverb meaning with sound mind and thus pertains to being prudent. We are to live with self-control, with self-restraint, rationally (belief or action that is in accord with reason), soberly (this word stresses seriousness of purpose and absence of levity or frivolity), self-controlled (exercising restraint over one's own impulses, emotions and desires, a fruit of the Spirit Ga 5:23-note), moderately and discreetly. (Click word study of sophronismos) Titus 2:12 is the only Biblical use of sophronos. To live sensibly is reflected in the self-control which only comes through the grace of God (His Spirit) working in us. Living in a self-controlled manner means not yielding to various passions and impulses. It is synonymous with the last of the fruits of the Spirit, which is self control (Gal 5:23-note). And Jerry Bridges reminds us that... There is a form of self-control that says 'yes' to what we should do as well as that which says 'no' to what we shouldn't do. Kehl wrote that... True spiritual self-discipline holds believers in bounds but never in bonds; its effect is to enlarge, expand and liberate. Paul is saying in essence now that having denied the lusts of the world, one is called on to continually reckon himself or herself as dead to sin (see note Romans 6:11). This Spirit enabled attitude of mind will prevent God’s child from entertaining in his life things that sever his communion with God. William Barclay says that living sensibly is living with the prudence which has everything under perfect control and which allows no passion or desire more than its proper place. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press) Believers are new creatures in Christ (2Cor 5:17) and thus are called to live now with a saved "mind of Christ" (1Cor 2:16) which is a sound mind because it takes in sound, healthy food and is able to make sensible, disciplined and prudent decisions in an upside down world drunk with a myriad of intoxicating delights that appeal to the old flesh, the eyes and the pride (1Jn 2:15, 16, 17). John Wesley says that sobriety, in the scriptural sense, is rather the whole temper of a man, than a single virtue in him. It comprehends all that is opposite to the drowsiness of sin, the folly of ignorance, the unholiness of disorderly passions. Sobriety is no less than all the powers of the soul being consistently and constantly awake, duly governed by heavenly prudence, and entirely conformable to holy affections. (Wesley's Notes) ><>><>><> Think! - Immediately following a soccer game in Athens, Greece, years ago, 21 people died and more than 50 were injured. The tragedy occurred when a wildly excited crowd responded to the victory of their team by blindly rushing out of the stadium. What they didn't realize was that a gate at the bottom of one of the 20 staircases was locked. As the mob reached the gate, many people were trampled by the shoving masses behind them. The fans were celebrating so loudly that they couldn't hear the screams of those who had fallen down. This kind of mindless activity does not happen just at soccer games. In a subtle and even more tragic way it goes on around us every day. We may not be shouting or blindly running in a crowd, yet we go along, oblivious to the fact that people are dying and entering eternity without Christ. Often we become so absorbed in our own affairs that we fail to hear the sounds of those up ahead who are nearing the end of their lives. In a sense, our lack of love and concern is contributing to their plight. If we've become complacent, let's think carefully about the words of Paul in Titus 2. He called for good judgment and clear-headed living, without which we'll never hear the cries for help above the noise of the crowd. — Mart De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved) If we drift aimlessly through life And live for self each day, The lost who often cross our path May never find the way. --DJD A true Christian is a person who is right-side-up in an upside-down world. RIGHTEOUSLY: kai dikaios: Spurgeon explains... As to his fellow-men the believer lives “righteously.” I cannot understand that Christian who can do a dirty thing in business. Craft, cunning, over-reaching, misrepresentation, and deceit are no instruments for the hand of godly men. I am told that my principles are too angelic for business life, — that a man cannot be a match for his fellowmen in trade, if he is too Puritanic. Others are up to tricks, and he will be ruined if he cannot trick them in return. O my dear hearers, do not talk in this way. If you mean to go the way of the devil, say so, and take the consequences; but if you profess to be servants of God, deny all partnership with unrighteousness. Dishonesty and falsehood are the opposites of godliness. A Christian man may be poor, but he must live righteously: he may lack sharpness, but he must not lack integrity. A Christian profession without uprightness is a lie. Grace must discipline us to righteous living. (From Spurgeon's sermon Two Appearings & the Discipline of Grace) A W Pink says that righteously... concerns our dealings with our fellow men. It is giving to each his due, dealing honorably with all; injuring none, seeking the good of all. To live "righteously" is doing unto others—as we would have them do unto us; it is being truthful, courteous, considerate, kind, helpful. "Do good unto all men, especially unto those who are of the household of faith" (Gal 6:10), must be our constant aim. This is the second half of the Law's requirement, that we should "love our neighbor as ourselves." Only Divine grace can effectually "teach" us this. Nothing but Divine grace, can counteract our innate selfishness. (Grace Preparing for Glory) "Copy and paste the address below into your web browser in order to go to the original page which will allow you to access live links related to the material on this page - these links include Scriptures (which can be read in context), Scripture pop-ups on mouse over, and a variety of related resources such as Bible dictionary articles, commentaries, sermon notes and theological journal articles related to the topic under discussion." http://www.preceptaustin.org/titus_212.htm#4996%20Sensibly%20sophronos