Christianity, mental illness, and having a "sound mind".

God saves · Jan 13, 2021

This is just a question out of curiosity of other people's opinions. I personally believe that people with mental illness should receive understanding and support for their mental illness and be respected and not discriminated against because of their mental illness (the same as other groups such as other people with disabilities as well as race et cetera). I am not trying to diminish anyone's struggle with mental illness or devalue anyone in any way (in case it might accidentally come across this way).

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version) states:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

How do you believe this verse should be interpreted? Do you believe one can have a "sound mind" while struggling with mental illness such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses? What do you believe "a sound mind" is in the context of this verse? Could one have "a sound mind" while struggling with psychosis (difficulty differentiating reality from fantasy)? Or could the "sound mind" the verse refers to help one in their struggle with mental illness? I do not want to infer any incorrect interpretations of Scripture, and I am not saying the possible interpretations I can think of are necessarily correct, but do you believe the "sound mind" to be referring to mental health, or to knowing God's word and having God's Holy Spirit within us, or both, or...?

public hermit · Jan 13, 2021

God saves said:
This is just a question out of curiosity of other people's opinions. I personally believe that people with mental illness should receive understanding and support for their mental illness and be respected and not discriminated against because of their mental illness (the same as other groups such as other people with disabilities as well as race et cetera). I am not trying to diminish anyone's struggle with mental illness or devalue anyone in any way (in case it might accidentally come across this way).

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version) states:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

How do you believe this verse should be interpreted? Do you believe one can have a "sound mind" while struggling with mental illness such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses? What do you believe "a sound mind" is in the context of this verse? Could one have "a sound mind" while struggling with psychosis (difficulty differentiating reality from fantasy)? Or could the "sound mind" the verse refers to help one in their struggle with mental illness? I do not want to infer any incorrect interpretations of Scripture, and I am not saying the possible interpretations I can think of are necessarily correct, but do you believe the "sound mind" to be referring to mental health, or to knowing God's word and having God's Holy Spirit within us, or both, or...?

The KJV doesn't always give the best rendering of the Greek.

Strong's Concordance
sóphronismos: self-control
Original Word: σωφρονισμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sóphronismos
Phonetic Spelling: (so-fron-is-mos')
Definition: self-control
Usage: self-control, self-discipline, prudence

Instead of "sound mind" in terms of mental health, think in terms of self-control or discipline. The person with a sound mind is going to be sensible, and self-control is sensible. To your question, would self-control help with mental illness? I imagine it wouldn't hurt, but I'm not any kind of expert on the subject.

marc b · Jan 13, 2021

public hermit said:
The KJV doesn't always give the best rendering of the Greek.

Strong's Concordance
sóphronismos: self-control
Original Word: σωφρονισμός, οῦ, ὁ
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: sóphronismos
Phonetic Spelling: (so-fron-is-mos')
Definition: self-control
Usage: self-control, self-discipline, prudence

Instead of "sound mind" in terms of mental health, think in terms of self-control or discipline. The person with a sound mind is going to be sensible, and self-control is sensible. To your question, would self-control help with mental illness? I imagine it wouldn't hurt, but I'm not any kind of expert on the subject.

This. I was about to post the same.

Dave L · Jan 13, 2021

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

Aussie Pete · Jan 13, 2021

God saves said:
This is just a question out of curiosity of other people's opinions. I personally believe that people with mental illness should receive understanding and support for their mental illness and be respected and not discriminated against because of their mental illness (the same as other groups such as other people with disabilities as well as race et cetera). I am not trying to diminish anyone's struggle with mental illness or devalue anyone in any way (in case it might accidentally come across this way).

2 Timothy 1:7 (New King James Version) states:
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

How do you believe this verse should be interpreted? Do you believe one can have a "sound mind" while struggling with mental illness such as depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other mental illnesses? What do you believe "a sound mind" is in the context of this verse? Could one have "a sound mind" while struggling with psychosis (difficulty differentiating reality from fantasy)? Or could the "sound mind" the verse refers to help one in their struggle with mental illness? I do not want to infer any incorrect interpretations of Scripture, and I am not saying the possible interpretations I can think of are necessarily correct, but do you believe the "sound mind" to be referring to mental health, or to knowing God's word and having God's Holy Spirit within us, or both, or...?

Basically, a sound mind is one that does not argue with God's word and God's ways. It is under the control of the Christian, not the playground of evil spirits. It is also in the process of being renewed, so that it is a help to the Christian and not a hindrance.

What is called mental illness may well be interference by evil spirits. This can be determined by how well the person regains full use of their mind when the evil spirits are dealt with. This can take some time, but progress will be definite.

Sometimes mental illness is a result of a malfunction in the brain itself. This may be brought on by physical injury or extreme stress. There are times when it is hereditary or a result of problems during pregnancy or while being born.

If a Christian has a good mind when young - able to concentrate, remember easily, with reasonable concentration but then becomes mentally ill, it is almost certainly the work of evil spirits.

It is vital to know the root of the problem. If it is evil spirits, medication may make things worse, not better. If it is an injury, medication may be the best option.

Jeshu · Jan 13, 2021

Seeing i struggle with mental illness i have some idea what people with mental illness face. A sound mind, or self control for that matter is often not present in someone who struggles with mental issues on a daily basis. The truth is our minds can be very ill where we see, hear, smell, and in other ways experience things mentally healthy people do not or to a much lesser degree.

Often times mentally ill people are that ill that they can no longer distinguish lies from truth. At such times medication are the best bet to find some sanity back again. Like the bible says ill people need a doctor, mentally ill people certainly do.

A sound mind is much appreciated by mentally ill people but something that at times eludes them because of illness.

However there are plenty of mental ill people gaining great benefit from God and His word. i know i certainly have. The truth of God is always true also when our minds are ill can His word work wonders. Jesus has rebuild me with the truth of His word and though illness remains His loving truth still works in my heart and mind. Sure i have experiences other people do not have but that does not make me any less of a Christian. Luckily The Holy Spirit works the opposite way of the doctors and heals the heart so that the mind can come to rest.

In the end God endowed me with a sound mind. Most of the time this is true at least. Only at times does illness take over and my mind spins out of control and i land in a mess again at the end of my run. Yet The truth of God's love always helps me back on my feet again and urges me onwards towards Christ and His Kingdom.

So we can be mentally ill and still have a sound mind be it only at times.

Peace.

marc b · Jan 13, 2021

When something does bother me mentally, I do stand and declare that "I have the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16).

While at 1st glance it may seem a bit out of context. But the revelation I have the intellect to understand and reason as Christ does, empowers me to clear my mind. Honestly nothing beats that kind of mind!

So nothing bothers me after that.

Heavenhome · Jan 13, 2021

Jeshu said:
Seeing i struggle with mental illness i have some idea what people with mental illness face. A sound mind, or self control for that matter is often not present in someone who struggles with mental issues on a daily basis. The truth is our minds can be very ill where we see, hear, smell, and in other ways experience things mentally healthy people do not or to a much lesser degree.

Often times mentally ill people are that ill that they can no longer distinguish lies from truth. At such times medication are the best bet to find some sanity back again. Like the bible says ill people need a doctor, mentally ill people certainly do.

A sound mind is much appreciated by mentally ill people but something that at times eludes them because of illness.

However there are plenty of mental ill people gaining great benefit from God and His word. i know i certainly have. The truth of God is always true also when our minds are ill can His word work wonders. Jesus has rebuild me with the truth of His word and though illness remains His loving truth still works in my heart and mind. Sure i have experiences other people do not have but that does not make me any less of a Christian. Luckily The Holy Spirit works the opposite way of the doctors and heals the heart so that the mind can come to rest.

In the end God endowed me with a sound mind. Most of the time this is true at least. Only at times does illness take over and my mind spins out of control and i land in a mess again at the end of my run. Yet The truth of God's love always helps me back on my feet again and urges me onwards towards Christ and His Kingdom.

So we can be mentally ill and still have a sound mind be it only at times.

Peace.

As someone who has lived most of my life with depression, you can still have a sound mind as to your relationship with God.

I am fortunate in that medication keeps me fairly on an even keel, pre Christian, I was heavily suicidal, self harming etc.
God has brought me out of that pit, He alone and I am reminded of the day when God Himself will wipe all my tears away, no more sorrow, pain, death, I can't wait.
And God understands us better than anyone else.
So whatever the mental illness is, we were fearfully and wonderfully made, for whatever reason just like physical illness, we are still held in the palm of His hand.

Heavenhome · Jan 13, 2021

In answer to what the verse
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but if love and of power and a sound mind.

To me means that it is our thinking of who God is, what the Bible teaches us, acknowledging Jesus etc, our minds are sound in our thinking of God.

Even with severe mental illness you can still think rightly of God.
Yes, there may be times when some may be muddled or confused, but God knows us and our hearts.

com7fy8 · Jan 13, 2021

public hermit said:
The person with a sound mind is going to be sensible, and self-control is sensible.

I would say this would help a lot. It would mean control of thoughts and emotions and ways of reacting and feelings. And the really right way of control is in the Holy Spirit, and we all need this.

Even if ones are not diagnosed with mental illness, they still can have major problems with controlling the feelings and reactions and desires and emotions of their minds and hearts. And ones, for one example, can have major problems with workaholic stress while not diagnosed as ill. Others can have major problems with pride and conceit but seem normal. Ones can fool themselves into marrying the wrong person, and not have a clue that they should have made sure with God.

With God, we can have control and sense, including control so we are making sure with God and submitting to how He personally guides us in His peace.

But many have major problems of taking things into their own hands, so they can have their own way of controlling self. And these can be the ones who look down on others who get a diagnosis. But they themselves do not have the self control which is in God's love; so they miss out on how they could be loving.

So, in case you do have a mental problem, trust God to cure you in His love, and have mercy for those who might discriminate . . . since they are missing out on love, going through so much of a loss, indeed, as they look for some way to look down on others rather than face and deal with their own problem.

bling · Jan 13, 2021

Paul is talking to Timothy and not everyone at this time.

bèlla · Jan 13, 2021

com7fy8 · Jan 13, 2021

About God's peace > Philippians 4:6-7 >

Because God is almighty, His peace is almighty, easily able to share His control with us.

1213 · Jan 13, 2021

God saves said:
...but do you believe the "sound mind" to be referring to mental health, or to knowing God's word and having God's Holy Spirit within us, or both, or...?

I think sound mind means correct understanding. For example, person with sound mind agrees that it is good to love others and wants to do so because of that. I don't think mental illness prevents that.

Personally, I wouldn’t call for example depression a disease. I think it is only a problem in how person sees things and can be overcome by learning to handle issues better. And I believe same can be with many mental issues.

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