Sober Judgement
Psalm 138 and Romans 12:1-8
Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 23, 2026
By Pastor Jane Shelton, CRE
At a young age, children are asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
One might hear responses like, “A fireman, a policeman, a lawyer, a doctor, a teacher, or an astronaut, etc.”
Some children know from an early age what they want to do and follow that path right into a lifelong career, while others may struggle with what exactly they are going to do when they graduate from high school or college.
With all the back-to-school talk that we have had over the last month, I could not help but consider our enthusiasm to assist and encourage our children and young adults back to learning and growing as they begin a new year’s journey in school or college, as well we should!
However, upon reading our Romans scripture, I could not help but consider how we are helping them prepare their spiritual journey with God.
Where is Jesus in their lives when they head off to begin their careers?
Now, trust me when I say, I am not calling out anyone on how they have prepared their child or themselves on their spiritual readiness to live in this broken world.
It’s just that when I read the words “sober judgment” in the scripture, they spoke to me. These words cause me to pause and ask, “What exactly does sober judgment mean in this context?”
I believe most of us know the meaning of the word “sober.” Although, when we hear the word “sober,” we normally think of someone who is not intoxicated with alcohol or drugs.
Let’s consider, though, the real meaning of the word sober, which is to be serious, sensible, and solemn.
Paul tells his listeners, “Think with sober judgement.” And let’s be clear, he is not saying judge other people; rather, he is saying, we should look inward to ourselves as to who we are as children of God.
When we look in the mirror each morning, we certainly want to do so with the confidence of being worthy of facing what lies ahead each day, but not with so much pride that we might think we are better than someone else.
Bible Hub explains it this way:
‘Definition:
Sober judgment refers to the practice of evaluating oneself and others with a clear, balanced, and humble mindset, free from excessive pride or self-deprecation. It involves a realistic assessment of one’s abilities, actions, and spiritual state, aligning with biblical principles of humility and wisdom.
Biblical Foundation:
The concept of sober judgment is rooted in several passages of Scripture, emphasizing humility, self-awareness, and reliance on God’s wisdom rather than human understanding.
Key Scripture:
Romans 12:3 is a foundational verse for understanding sober judgment: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you”. This verse highlights the importance of humility and the recognition that our abilities and faith are gifts from God.’
When Paul tells his listeners to be transformed by the renewing of mind for God’s will. He is not saying we are to be perfect. He is saying that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect, and we can have faith in and trust God’s will for our lives, even when we may not yet have a clear understanding of what that journey might look like.
The goal in having sober judgment is knowing that God has assigned gifts to those he has chosen to live in his will. Those who have faith to blindly follow where God sends us on our spiritual journey.
This might not mean we all end up where we first began. It might mean that the path we wanted to take might not be the path God wanted us to take, and we have to stop and examine ourselves with sober judgement as to what direction God is sending us, and more often than not, it requires we go in a direction that goes against every fiber of our human existence.
One thing we can be assured of is that when we trust the direction God has for our lives, even when it feels unnatural for us at the time, we will begin to see how it fits for us.
Think of it this way. Have you ever put on a piece of clothing backwards, but you didn’t know it? And you go all day wearing it, and it just doesn’t seem to fit the way it did the last time you wore it. Something just isn’t quite right about your day, but you can’t put your finger on it.
Later at home, you realize you have your clothing backwards, and you have an aha moment when you realize it. You think, “I knew something wasn’t right!” You have a good laugh. Someone has a good laugh with you or at you, but when you turn that garment around right, it fits exactly right. Nothing is uncomfortable any longer, and life is good.
This is how I see having sober judgement. It’s when the garment fits the way it’s supposed to fit.
God, in infinite wisdom, has prepared our garment for us and it fits perfectly. All we have to do is make sure we step into it and make sure it is placed properly on us so that we can face each day in the fullness of God’s glory.
We can go out clothed in the grace we have been given through Jesus Christ, along with the spiritual gifts we have been provided, and when we have the right garment, we will shine with God’s glory for all to see.
As our Psalmist reminds us, we have a faithful provider, protector and deliverer who has an amazing steadfast love for us, and when we are able to fulfill God’s purpose for each of us, we will not want to forsake the work he has set before us, and we will honor God with praise and thanksgiving.
To God be the glory! Great things he has done, and great things he continues to do in all of you.