What is the power of a sound mind?

[renniks]

So, I'm going through a diffucult time, and in the middle of the night, God gave me this verse to pray over my situation:
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Bascially, this is my prayer: "God replace the spirit of fear within me (or the person I'm praying for) with the spirit of power, the spirit of love and the spirit of a sound mind."

But, looking further into the verse today, I noticed that different translations have very different ideas of what a sound mind is. For some it's discipline, for others its translated "self control" and for still others it's "instruction." All of those have different meanings, in my mind.

Then I found an article by Matt Walsh that interprets "sound mind" as a mind that have been delivered or saved, revived, rescued, salvaged or protected. So, it seems like it could be rendered "The spirit of a safe mind." All of which is encouraging, but I want to dig deeper. Please discuss.

 

[Pavel Mosko]

Then I found an article by Matt Walsh that interprets "sound mind" as a mind that have been delivered or saved, revived, rescued, salvaged or protected. So, it seems like it could be rendered "The spirit of a safe mind." All of which is encouraging, but I want to dig deeper. Please discuss.

Interesting I was really thinking of this topic today, but especially in terms of a video topic because my best friend has been on me as far as making videos.

I would describe it as a "Renewed Mind" and relate it to the things you do every day, what you think about, what you actually believe (e.g. do you really trust God?) and how all that affects your soul.

 

[Minister Monardo]

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

A sound mind overcomes all doubting.
Matthew 21:21 So Jesus answered and said to them, Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. 22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.

The apostle Paul assigns this to the most mundane daily activity, that of eating. In other words, in our walk with the Spirit, there is no mundane activity.
Romans 14:22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

A wavering mind is an unstable soul
James 1:
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

 

[GDL]

So, I'm going through a diffucult time, and in the middle of the night, God gave me this verse to pray over my situation:
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Bascially, this is my prayer: "God replace the spirit of fear within me (or the person I'm praying for) with the spirit of power, the spirit of love and the spirit of a sound mind."

But, looking further into the verse today, I noticed that different translations have very different ideas of what a sound mind is. For some it's discipline, for others its translated "self control" and for still others it's "instruction." All of those have different meanings, in my mind.

Then I found an article by Matt Walsh that interprets "sound mind" as a mind that have been delivered or saved, revived, rescued, salvaged or protected. So, it seems like it could be rendered "The spirit of a safe mind." All of which is encouraging, but I want to dig deeper. Please discuss.

You didn't say what the problem is, so I'll just discuss the word and verse itself.

Timothy was a bit timid in his ministry duties. The spirit of fear Paul addresses is timidity, cowardice. so, Paul states things that are counter to this.

God gave us a powerful and able spirit, a loving spirit that can obey God and do what He instructs to be good for others and ourselves, a ___ spirit. Here's the fill-in to the blank:

• The reason Matt Walsh drew out the "safe" concept is likely because this is a compound word with save, safe as part of it. At root is the concept of being fenced-in, secure, safe. It's a mind that functions within boundaries, which is why some may translate it as self-controlled, moderate, sober, sensible.
• Our Text uses the verb Form of the word as sane vs. insane and it ties it to faith (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35; Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 5:13; Titus 2:6; 1 Peter 4:7). Basically, it's to keep our thoughts in check biblically, which is what Paul is instructing - don't let yourself get off into fears, into timidity (in context). We are indwelt by the Creator of the universe. Have a proper fear of the one who can destroy the soul, but not those who can only harm the body. It's basically mindset instruction.
• I also see a bit of parallelism here, with power and self-controlled thinking in parallel. So, power under control. There's actually another Greek word used in our Text in regard to us that was used of military horses with all of their strength and power that were so well trained and fearless in battle that they allowed their rider to control them with the slightest tug on the reins. Again, power under control is the concept. Keep your thoughts in check/confined.

 

[renniks]

You didn't say what the problem is, so I'll just discuss the word and verse itself.

Timothy was a bit timid in his ministry duties. The spirit of fear Paul addresses is timidity, cowardice. so, Paul states things that are counter to this.

God gave us a powerful and able spirit, a loving spirit that can obey God and do what He instructs to be good for others and ourselves, a ___ spirit. Here's the fill-in to the blank:

• The reason Matt Walsh drew out the "safe" concept is likely because this is a compound word with save, safe as part of it. At root is the concept of being fenced-in, secure, safe. It's a mind that functions within boundaries, which is why some may translate it as self-controlled, moderate, sober, sensible.
• Our Text uses the verb Form of the word as sane vs. insane and it ties it to faith (Mark 5:15; Luke 8:35; Romans 12:3; 2 Corinthians 5:13; Titus 2:6; 1 Peter 4:7). Basically, it's to keep our thoughts in check biblically, which is what Paul is instructing - don't let yourself get off into fears, into timidity (in context). We are indwelt by the Creator of the universe. Have a proper fear of the one who can destroy the soul, but not those who can only harm the body. It's basically mindset instruction.
• I also see a bit of parallelism here, with power and self-controlled thinking in parallel. So, power under control. There's actually another Greek word used in our Text in regard to us that was used of military horses with all of their strength and power that were so well trained and fearless in battle that they allowed their rider to control them with the slightest tug on the reins. Again, power under control is the concept. Keep your thoughts in check/confined.

Thanks, that is helpful. I guess I might as well say it: My wife has moved out for the time being.
I'm just trying to stay out of depression and work on myself and allow God to make me a better person, but it's hard when I can barely sleep because my mind won't shut off.
I think there's a double edged sword to counseling because they start out asking about your feelings, and once you unleash your feelings it's like there's no end to it. And we can't just living by what we feel, that's a recipe for disaster, because feelings aren't necessarily an indicator of reality.
So God gave me this verse and I'm trying to understand how best to apply it.

 

[By_the_Book]

So, I'm going through a diffucult time, and in the middle of the night, God gave me this verse to pray over my situation:
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Bascially, this is my prayer: "God replace the spirit of fear within me (or the person I'm praying for) with the spirit of power, the spirit of love and the spirit of a sound mind."

But, looking further into the verse today, I noticed that different translations have very different ideas of what a sound mind is. For some it's discipline, for others its translated "self control" and for still others it's "instruction." All of those have different meanings, in my mind.

Then I found an article by Matt Walsh that interprets "sound mind" as a mind that have been delivered or saved, revived, rescued, salvaged or protected. So, it seems like it could be rendered "The spirit of a safe mind." All of which is encouraging, but I want to dig deeper. Please discuss.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7


“the spirit” =

4151. a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by anal. or fig. a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by impl.) vital principle, ment. disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit:— ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind.



“of fear” =

1167. from 1169; timidity:— fear.

1169. (dread); timid, i.e. (by impl.) faithless:— fearful.


tim·id [tímmid] = unassertive: demonstrating a lack of courage or self-assurance

nervousness, shyness, fearfulness, timorousness, diffidence[hesitancy], coyness[ wariness and introversion], bashfulness, reticence[uncommunicativeness], faint-heartedness, cowardice, tentativeness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, hesitancy



“of power” =

1411. from 1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):— ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

1410. to be able or possible:— be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.



“of love” =

26. from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; spec. (plur.) a love-feast:— (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.

25. to love (in a social or moral sense):— (be-) love (-ed).


benevolence =

1. kind: showing kindness or goodwill

2. charitable: performing good or charitable acts and not seeking to make a profit

kind, caring, compassionate, generous, giving, kindly, benign[gentle], munificent, altruistic[unselfish]



“of a sound mind” =

4995. from 4994; discipline, i.e. self-control:— sound mind.

4994. from 4998; to make of sound mind, i.e. (fig.) to discipline or correct:— teach to be sober.

4998. from the base of 4982 and that of 5424; safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):— discreet, sober, temperate.

4982. “safe”); to save, i.e. deliver or protect (lit. or fig.):— heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole.

5424. (to rein in or curb; comp. 5420); the midrif (as a partition of the body), i.e. (fig. and by impl. of sympathy) the feelings (or sensitive nature; by extens. [also in the plur.] the mind or cognitive faculties):— understanding.

5420. apparently a strengthening form of the base of 5424; to fence or inclose, i.e. (spec.) to block up (fig. to silence):— stop.


sober =

abstemious[self-denying], clear-headed, temperate[pleasant], teetotal, moderate, restrained, serious, somber, solemn, thoughtful, calm, grave, unexcited, unruffled, subdued, restrained, severe, sedate, staid[demure]


temperate =

restrained, self-controlled, controlled, moderate, reasonable, mild, measured, reserved, muted, clement[soft], pleasant, comfortable

 

[GDL]

Thanks, that is helpful. I guess I might as well say it: My wife has moved out for the time being.
I'm just trying to stay out of depression and work on myself and allow God to make me a better person, but it's hard when I can barely sleep because my mind won't shut off.
I think there's a double edged sword to counseling because they start out asking about your feelings, and once you unleash your feelings it's like there's no end to it. And we can't just living by what we feel, that's a recipe for disaster, because feelings aren't necessarily an indicator of reality.
So God gave me this verse and I'm trying to understand how best to apply it.

Sorry to hear this. I'm aware of the degrees of anxieties that can accompany such circumstances.

I assumed from what you said before that this verse was given to you by God. Based upon what the verse says, it's telling us all that we need to keep our thoughts and fears in check based upon the spirit and instruction we have been given and are being given as we walk in Spirit in Christ.

I know this is easier said than done at times and that times of testing can be somewhat slight to severe. But they're for our ultimate good. Read James 1, note 1:5 & realize it's stated in the context of undergoing tests, do what it says.

I'm not a counselor & I don't know you or your wife, but I understand what you mean in your comments about feelings. It's likely feelings that are involved in the anxieties rather than the objective thoughts your verse instructs you of. I note that you said feelings can be a recipe for disaster. Disaster like not being able to sleep.

You apparently see that you need personal improvement (who doesn't, BTW?) and this is pretty normal for test situations and good that you realize it. Tests are for refining us, filling us with what we lack, and they produce endurance. When you get to James 1:12 and see the word "approved" (NKJ translation) it's a word based in the concept of being assayed for value like we would assay precious metals for their purity. It's speaking of value - approved valuable.

I'm going to let you in on a personal experience. Quite some time ago in what was probably one of the most if not the most anxious conditions I had ever been in, at its peak (another late night of no sleep, BTW), I thought I was just about to completely lose it, a break down maybe. I was in hard-core prayer fighting it, but seemingly losing, and I suddenly experienced something no one would be able to convince me was not an instantaneous, extremely brief & shocking, physical manifestation of the Spirit and then the quiet voice of God in my mind. In an instant I went from beyond high anxiety to the most relaxed, content, peaceful state I can ever recall.

The point being: the circumstances involved with my severe anxieties had not changed at all, but my acceptance of them and my peace in whatever God would allow had instantly become day from night. The only thing that had changed was my thinking and I knew God was completely in control (I was not) & was watching over me & involved with me. And another BTW, this was in my days of having a belief in God but in no way could I have called myself a Christian at that time.

Settle in. Find the objectivity in the situation. Agree to be refined, to learn endurance, to be made more complete and whole / to have filled what you lack. Pray for the wisdom needed to get through it (this too is objective skill). Don't try to control what you can't control (especially other people who have their own mind). One of the things I've learned by this time, is that in all the things I've gone through, I'm still here & life is better in Christ than it was before. I am better too BTW. We get through these things in however long they last.

NET 1 Corinthians 10:13 No trial (same word James uses) has overtaken you that is not faced by others.9 And God is faithful: He10 will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear,11 but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

I'm not sure I can assist any more, but private messaging is available through this forum site. I'll supplement your prayers. Maybe some others will too.

 

[public hermit]

So, I'm going through a diffucult time, and in the middle of the night, God gave me this verse to pray over my situation:
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Bascially, this is my prayer: "God replace the spirit of fear within me (or the person I'm praying for) with the spirit of power, the spirit of love and the spirit of a sound mind."

But, looking further into the verse today, I noticed that different translations have very different ideas of what a sound mind is. For some it's discipline, for others its translated "self control" and for still others it's "instruction." All of those have different meanings, in my mind.

Then I found an article by Matt Walsh that interprets "sound mind" as a mind that have been delivered or saved, revived, rescued, salvaged or protected. So, it seems like it could be rendered "The spirit of a safe mind." All of which is encouraging, but I want to dig deeper. Please discuss.

Sophrosyne (and related terms), as a virtue, is a combination of self-control and discernment so that one thinks and does what is fitting for the circumstances. Sophrosyne leads to other virtues like moderation, prudence, justice because the one who has this virtue avoids excess and understands what the moment needs. In short, it leads to living according to God's will because it always does what is fitting.

I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties and hope things work out for the best.

 

[renniks]

I truly appreciate all the advice and wisdom.
I think I have been operating out of fear in areas of my life for a long time and now God is showing me me how to really live from love instead. I feel like I knew how at one time at least somewhat, but some hard situations pushed me back into myself and I lost my first love. I want to move forward instead of always fighting a defensive battle against the enemy..to advance instead of always losing ground. Thanks for your prayers.