A Sound Mind

 

Recently, one of my friends mentioned 2 Timothy 1:7:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

She discussed our ability to cast certain thoughts down. Indeed, according to God’s Word, we do possess that power:

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 10:5

In fact, we have the Mind of Christ:

“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 2:16

So, the sound mind is a God thing, gifted to us. But we choose how we utilize that gift. It’s not, necessarily, about feelings; it’s about decision. And the power, following Jesus’ example, is determined by three words: “It is written.” This is best laid out in Matthew 4:1-11.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. ³ The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

⁵ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ⁶ “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
    and they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

⁸ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹ “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹ Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Repeatedly, Jesus shoots down the devil’s arguments (verses four, seven and ten).

 So, what’s stopping us from doing the same? Ignorance, pride, doubt? Indeed, our thoughts, whatever they may be, are powerful:

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”

Proverbs 23:7

Therefore, why not think God’s thoughts, which are Truth? We have the power of choice. Let’s choose to be in our sound minds today!!!

Copyright © 2016 by Sheryle Cruse