As I was wrote this, I started to realize that sound goes beyond sanity and clear thinking—which was my initial train of thought. Now, I understand that having a sound mind is only possible when we allow our thoughts to be shaped, guided, and molded by scripture.
Though I initially had something else in mind, God steered me in a different (more thorough) direction.
A sound mind takes shape when we follow Christ instead of man. A sound mind is not a political or national doctrine, but a Godly one.
In today’s climate, we can often find ourselves shaped, guided, and molded by what we see on:
- social media
- our favorite news station
- friends
- personal thoughts/beliefs
- our moods
The list could go on endlessly, depending on who you’re speaking with.
But, one thing is for sure, when we aren’t intentional about seeking time with God, embedding scripture in our spirit, and filtering our mindsets at the Cross, we will begin to demonstrate unsound behaviors. We will speak unsound doctrine, based in ungodly wisdom. We will also reap the consequences of we have sown.
Defining Our Doctrine
“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine”
Titus 2:1
According to the usage, sound represents a “true and incorrupt doctrine…”
So, what is a doctrine?
Doctrine: a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group.
I found this definition to be so interesting. Over the last few months, I feel as if I have heard the doctrines of political parties and various movements over that of God. This is especially concerning when Christians are leading the way.
In post after post, there is anger, division, bitterness, and even an undertone of hatred. It’s as if people are more focused on the election than being one of God’s elect. That should give us pause.
Each day, we need to check the source of our guiding doctrine and filter our thoughts, words, and behaviors through the Word of God.
In Proverbs 4:23 we are commanded to keep/guard our hearts BECAUSE everything we do flows from it. Basically, our thoughts dictate our actions.
How we think also shapes how we perceive, react, and feel about the world around us—and the doctrine we live out.
Keeping Guard
- watch, guard, keep
- preserve, guard from dangers
- to keep, observe, guard with fidelity
Protecting our minds from ungodly influences is difficult in today’s social climate. We are flooded with information, words, opinions, attitudes, people, and circumstances that are the enemies of our spirits and God.
Not only do we struggle to guard against these invaders, but we sometimes welcome and seek them. We willingly participate. Whether we call it expressing our opinion, fighting for (fill in the blank), venting, supporting or whatever, we need to ensure, as Christians, that we are:
- Guarding our hearts
- Speaking sound doctrine
- Thinking with a sound mind
- Being shaped, guided, and molded by the Word of God
Points to Ponder
After reading the questions below, reflect on how you spend your days, and then journal your answers. Pray for light to be shined into any areas that are not clearly visible.
23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139
- In what ways do you guard your heart?
- Describe the daily doctrine (true and incorrupt) you follow.
- Do your thoughts and behaviors reflect a sound mind (as defined by the Bible)?
- God or man? Who is more influential in your heart?
- If it is God, how is that influence reflected throughout your day? Thoughts? Habits? Behaviors? Relationships with others? Views?
Intentionally Seeking a Sound Mind
1. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2.Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3
With so many things happening at once, it can be very hard to seek those things which are above. We must choose to intentionally divert our attention away from the world, as we have been directed, and make the choice to be kingdom minded.
As we learned from Proverbs 4:23, our choices flow from what we have allowed to get into our hearts.
Reflect on your daily life. Consider the people you choose to associate with, the conversations you choose to have, and what you choose to watch or listen to.
- What do your choices reveal to you about the things you seek?
- Do they reveal a life that seeks things above or is concerned with worldly pursuits?
Setting Your Affections
We are instructed to set our affections on things above. And, as most of us know, our affection for something or someone is a powerful motivator—sometimes to the point of tunnel vision.
From personal experience, I know that when my heart is involved, I am willing to sacrifice to obtain or maintain whatever I’m focused on—it becomes a “heart” goal.
One thing is for sure, where our minds our set, our feet will follow.
Reflect on where your affections lie.
- Where are those places?
- Where does your time and effort go?
- To whom or what?
- Do you put the same amount or more effort into the Word? Reading it, pursuing it?
These questions aren’t meant to condemn. My prayer is that we all become more aware of how we live our days and enter into a deeper relationship with Christ. To do that, we need to be honest and vulnerable with ourselves and the Lord.
For a Sound Mind…Put Off These Things
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Colossians 3:8
- COVID 19
- Mask Debate
- Riots
- Protests
- Elections
- News
- Social Media
Throughout this year, I have had to snooze, mute, unfollow and hide posts —left and right (no pun intended).
In order for me to effectively guard my heart and put off the behaviors listed above, I had to be intentional about what I was allowing to penetrate my spirit.
We would be sadly mistaken to believe that we can endure the constant barrage of negativity without being affected. Reflect on the list in verse 8. How successful have you been in putting off those behaviors?
If you have recently experienced the list of things to put off, what was the cause?
What measures can you take to prevent yourself from participating in, being affected by, and implementing unsound doctrine?
Put on These Things
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 3:14-16
Scripture has provided the instructions that we need to successfully overcome the traps of being in a position to be influenced by unsound doctrine. But we must LET it happen. To do this, we must recognize what is preventing us from following God’s instruction.
Take some time this week, observe yourself, and ask God to show you where your actions, thoughts, habits, behaviors, or desires are preventing you from living in accordance with His Word.
Be open to what God reveals to you and be willing to be guided towards a sound mind.
