Sound Mind
By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of April 28, 2024
To have a sound mind is to have a disciplined mind. A sound mind knows God, knows His principles, hears from Him in any situation, and submits to Him in obedience for His purposes.
One commentary describes sound-mindedness as "safe-minded, issuing in prudent ("sensible") behavior that 'fits' a situation, i.e., aptly acting out God's will by doing what He calls sound reasoning" (HELPS Word-studies).
This definition is referenced in 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJ, which says, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
Sound-mindedness is from a root word that means "truly moderate" and "discreet" or "chaste" (Strong's #4998).
This root word can be traced one more level down into two Greek words: One being sozo, which means wholeness of life, and can specifically mean to save, heal, rescue and deliver out of danger, destruction and the penalty and peril of sin (Strong's #4982). The other root word (phrén) references a person's thought process, understanding or, more specifically, their "inner outlook (mind-set, insight) that regulates outward behavior" (HELPS Word-studies, Strong's #5424).
Sound-mindedness as self-control is, in fact, a fruit of The Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:23, against which "there is no law." And we do grow in it over time.
This fruit is a mastery within one's self that can flow outwardly, only by the power of Holy Spirit through a submitted vessel.
So, to have a sound mind is to have a mind that is synced with the life of Holy Spirit inwardly in our thoughts and outwardly in our speech and actions, which is the safest place to be because it’s life-giving.
God’s truth is that all born-again believers have sound-mindedness in them and are capable of behaving in life-giving ways inasmuch as they grow in Him.
What's interesting is the sequence of words used in 2 Timothy 1:7, which are those of power, love and then a sound mind. This sequence clearly reveals God's order and way in which He moves in and through His chosen vessels: First with power. Then in love. Then with a sound mind. All three are necessary and work together in this order to bring blessing.
We may need to press through the first part of 2 Timothy 1:7, which is to overcome any opposition of fear, timidity, cowardice or cringing that’s not of God.
Knowing this helps set our minds rightly on Him and His way to experience His power, love and sound-mindedness in demonstrations. Sometimes, we have to intentionally choose to get past it and let it become our new normal in new circumstances and assignments as He calls us all up higher.
A Biblical example of this would be how Peter and John behaved when they encountered the lame man in Acts 3:4-7 and then interacted with the crowd in verse 16.
The New King James Version says, "And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us.' So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."
Here, as a vessel of deliverance, Peter acted in a manner of confident boldness, not in the least bit of fear, and even in front of a crowd on Solomon’s porch.
He spoke God’s truth to the crowd as a teacher in Acts 3:16 when he said, "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all."
This kind of soundness means wholeness, completeness and divine health (Strong's #3647). So, this was a faith-filled demonstration of true sound-mindedness with a purpose and tangible result of resurrection life (Romans 8:11).
And this is precisely what can happen and more when we walk with Holy Spirit in life-giving sound-mindedness. This is how a fountain of blessing comes through a life lived out with Him as our Lord.
Solomon himself reminds us of this wisdom in Proverbs 14:30 MSG, which says, "A sound mind makes for a robust body, but runaway emotions corrode the bones."
So, Lord,
We thank You for inviting us up higher. Please do that which only You can do, and make us vessels of your power, love and sound-mindedness. For Your glory and even for our own benefit and the benefit of others as in Psalm 103.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
Amen.
Margaret D. Mitchell is the Founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ.
