A Sound Mind

[Chad]

A Sound Mind

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: - Philippians 2:5

Because we are under an aggressive onslaught from the enemy, we must also be aggressive in the protection of our minds. We must guard them diligently. This is accomplished by renewing our minds through the Word of God.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NKJV)​

Fear always casts doubt on us knowing the will of God, but we can know God's will through the transformation of our minds. If we are able to know His good, pleasing and perfect will, we will not be afraid to submit to it.

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6 NKJV)​

God wants our minds controlled by His Spirit, not by the spirit of fear. Fear will keep us in constant restlessness and confusion. It does not want us to experience peace. Notice that the sinful, unbelieving mind leads to death, while God's Spirit leads us to the path of life and peace.

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)​

God will do this because we trust Him and chose to believe that He meant what He said. We experience peace when we choose His faithfulness over fear. Renewing our minds is more than just a knowledge of the Scriptures. It is trusting His goodness and faithfulness even when we don't understand how His Word will be accomplished in our lives. By believing what we don't see and understand, we mix His Word with faith. This is the only way God's Word becomes alive in us.

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. (Hebrews 4:1-2 NKJV)​

The knowledge of the gospel was of no value to the children of Israel wandering in the wilderness even though they were accompanied day and night by His presence, a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. We are warned that the same can happen to us if we are not careful. Lisa Bevere, "Out of Control and Loving It!"

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7