What it means to have a SOUND MIND
It's no secret that fear is running rampant in our society. I mean we've all been here the last few years, right? We have been so afraid of sickness, war, the fear of others, the fear of what the future holds. And the reality is, this is plaguing those within the church just as much as it is out side of the church.
This is not to cause us to shrink back, but instead, walk out our faith with power, love & SOUND MIND. In my life over the last few years, I have found so much hope in this verse as I have watched God redeem, and salvage my mind, I've felt him give me the courage to step out and do things that were once marked by fear.
And the same is available for you. I resonate so much with Timothy as it seems he had a timid spirit although he was so faithful and gifted with a knowledge and understanding of the faith. Of course the enemy wanted to attack him with a Spirit of Fear! However, his mento Paul encourages him and reminds him that this Spirit of Fear did NOT come from God. Instead, he has a sound mind.
The phrase, Sound Mind comes from 2 Timothy 1:7
"For God did not give us a Spirit of Fear but of power, love & SOUND MIND."
I want to remind you and encourage you today that you have already been given a SOUND MIND. One thing I'll add for context is this verse comes right after 2 Timothy 1:6 where Paul tells Timothy, "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." Often times when we begin to 'fan the flame' of our gifts, we are met with a Spirit of Fear.
Through this passage, we can see that power, love and a sound mind are the opposite of what a Spirit of fear is. Let's take a deeper look at what it means to have a SOUND MIND. The term "sound mind" in Greek comes from two different words, sodzo & phreneo
Sodzo means something that is saved, delivered, salvaged, rescued
Phroneo is refering to our intelligence as a whole: thoughts, emotions, feelings. Phroneo includes all parts of our mind that take part in us making decisions and conclusions about what we believe to be true.
When these words are put together, they make the word Sophroneo which more fully means a mind that has been delivered, saved, revived. It is now protected and safe.
I don't know about you, but I find immense comfort in this verse, and it has quite literally changed my life. To walk in a SOUND MIND is to walk in our true identity in Christ. And I believe that for every part of our mind that goes into us making daily decisions and living out our faith. In the comfort of this verse, can be sure that the Spirit of God is one that allows us to walk in this world with the powerful and strong gift of a Sound Mind. We need a SOUND MIND to face the struggles and warfare of this life. We can rest assured that we are not making things up which we experience in the spiritual realm which we can’t really see in the natural.
With a Sound Mind, you can draw correct conclusions, you can operate from a place of discernment. When we are dealing with the spiritual forces of the world, it is imperative that we pray for and ask for an increase of discernment.
A SOUND MIND also allows you to walk in power and love. A Sound Mind allows you to walk in the power of your purpose. A Sound Mind allows you love others deeply & fearlessly because you are not afraid of getting hurt, and you refuse to believe lies about others.
As I mentioned earlier, we must remember we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but powers and principalities. And one of those powers is the Spirit of Fear. We must actively fight fear in the day to day by putting on the full armor of God and choosing instead to walk in power, love & Sound Mind. Namely, put on the shield of faith to protect you from the flaming arrows of the enemy. Use the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God to speak truth into you life and the lives of others.
Remind yourself of this today and every day. Remind yourself that your mind has ALREADY been delivered in Christ. In fact, you have the mind of Christ according to scripture. Remember that as you step out in heavenly power and radical love for others. And when you feel the Spirit of fear, remember you have the power to command it to leave in the name of Jesus.
When we are fearful, we cannot operate in a Sound Mind. The fear we are facing snuffs out the faith which allows us to walk in power, love & Sound Mind. We must actively fight against fear day by day.
I don't know about you, but I KNOW what fear feels like in my body. I know when I am making decisions based out of fear. I know how my chest tightens up when I’m afraid. I know when my reflex response is to control rather than trust God that I am in a fearful state. And it's in those moments I have to actively put on the armor of God and fight the Spirit of fear.
And much like Timothy, I have come to learn that often, the biggest attacks of fear come right as I am about to step out into something powerful for my purpose. Right before there is breakthrough, there is often an attack on our purpose.
If you take away anything today, I hope you are reminded that you have a SOUND MIND. No matter what. Even if your mental health is being attacked. Even if you’ve faced abuse or dysfunction. Even if you are plagued with anxiety or depression currently. You have a Sound Mind.
Rest in that beautiful promise today
With Power & Love,
Hailey
Further Reading:
2 Corinthians 2
2 Corinthians 5
Ephesians 6
2 Timothy 1
Philippians 2
source: Powell Tribune