He has promised that He will finish what He starts ( Philippians 1:6). But there is no need to fear, for the power is available, or God is not God. Most will find certain parts of the Christian life uncomfortable or the requirements that God has established difficult to meet. He gives whatever gifts one needs to carry out his responsibility within the body. The apostle, concerned about Timothy having the mind, the personality, the will, to carry out his responsibilities, reminds him that God's Spirit is one of power and of love and of soundmindedness.Īnd so it is with each person God calls. Paul knows what Timothy is like because he had spent years with him, travelling around the Mediterranean region. From all indications, Timothy would bear the weight of responsibility for preaching the gospel after Paul's death. By the end of the book, Paul knows that he is going to die. Apparently, Timothy was an introverted, retiring personality who of himself would not do what he would be called upon to do. God is a very positive God, who looks forward to the future and the promises of having us as a key part of His creation.Īn indication of Timothy's personality comes through in this verse.

Even though we may be only one person and insignificant, we must have the kind of mind that takes charge of itself and moves forward, not in retreat as many of God's people are doing today. We have to guard it and exercise it at all times.Ī sound mind recognizes that we are special to God, not from our own strength but because of the gift of His Holy Spirit. It needs continual stirring, like a simmering pot on the stove.

However, having and maintaining a sound mind requires constant work, a positive approach, and an acceptance of both the good and the bad. It recognizes the power of God and His love for us. Its processes start with God and end with God. If our mind is sound, it is not cluttered up with the cares of this world. The concept of a 'sound mind' has more to do with our attitude than we may realize. This does not make for good relationships. Instead, it will have a strong tendency to twist situations toward its own self-centered perspective. It may be very sharp regarding material things, but it will be deficient in the ability to cope with life in a godly manner because it cannot see things in a proper, righteous-or-unrighteous context. Any mind that lacks the Holy Spirit will, like Esau's, be limited in its outlook, unstable to some degree, and focused on itself. This verse also implies that, as long as the mind is devoid of God's Spirit, it cannot be considered to be truly healthy. It takes the Spirit of God to produce a truly sound mind. | Sound Mind, Product of God's Holy Spirit

Bible verses about being in sound mind