A Sound Mind

W. Carl Ketcherside

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     There are some indications in the Bible that Timothy was subjected to periods of discouragement and despondency. Under such circumstances zeal wanes and fears are multiplied. One reads with interest the advice given by the old soldier Paul to this younger recruit, to stimulate and encourage him. As an example we cite 2 Timothy 1:6, "I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Is there an implication in this that the young evangelist allowed the divine gift to lapse or wane in intensity because of personal fear? Certainly the problems he had to face were sufficient to cause one to shrink back if he was at all moved by timidity.

     There are three Greek words translated fear in the Authorized Version. The one used here is deilia. It refers to fearfulness or cowardice. Archbishop Trench in his work on synonyms, says it is always used in a bad sense. The spirit of cowardice is not from God. It is the triumph of our lower nature over our higher. It is the manifestation of animal nature over the spiritual. The fearful, as well as the unbelieving, will have their part in the lake of fire.

     To combat such a failing, God has provided us with three things--power, love, and a sound mind. A recognition of the fact that we are in Christ, and are strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man will do much toward making us "more than conquerors." Love also inspires boldness. "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.... There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:17, 18).

     The third factor in the conquest of unreasoning fear is a sound mind. This suggests that there may be minds which are not sound. The mind is that part of our being which thinks and wills, remembers and reasons. We are what our thinking makes us. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." No man can walk straight who thinks crooked. I hold that the chief aim of man is to search for truth, that this is the highest and noblest pursuit to which he can devote those intellectual powers which lift him above the dumb animals. Man was not meant to be enslaved. He was made for freedom. But sin has shackled him. Only truth can make him free, and it can only do so when it is known.

     In order for the mind to arrive at proper concepts it must be regulated and disciplined. This suggests that certain principles must be recognized which will properly channel our intellectual faculties and provide necessary restraints. A mind exercised in due regard for these principles is "a sound mind." It is that kind of

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mind God would have us possess. Soundness of mind does not refer to breadth or scope of learning, nor even to depth of knowledge in a special field. It has to do with that quality or state of intellect which enables one to think clearly and reason correctly in regard to those propositions which come within the sphere of his personal experience or relationships. A man might possess great knowledge of facts in a wide field and not have a "sound mind," while another might possess such a mind, although limited by circumstances in his area of investigation.

     Since truth alone can make us free, and that only when it is known and acted upon, and since truth can only be perceived clearly by a well-regulated mind, and since such a quality of mental power must be cultivated and nurtured, it would appear that it is a matter of first importance to consider those factors which will develop in us the ability to think clearly and reason correctly, that we may truly have sound minds. Accordingly, it is our hope, God willing, to supply our readers, especially those who are younger in years, with suggestions of a practical nature which will enable us all to lay foundations for mental progress which will react to personal well being and good of the entire community of saints.

     Obviously, what we write in this regard will hold little appeal for those who are light and frivolous, or slothful and neglectful. We need to approach a subject as vital as life in a sober vein, for life is a serious business, and our destiny should be a matter of real concern. We will expect to write in an understandable fashion, but those who read have an obligation to seek for understanding even as the writer has a like obligation to convey his thoughts in understandable fashion. We have been amazed the past several years at the number who have lamented that we sometimes use words outside their vocabulary. One would think there was no such thing in existence as an English dictionary. But it is easier to file a complaint than to look up a word and make it part of a growing vocabulary.

     This serves to illustrate the fact that our nation has been victimized by "easy living" and the spirit of "getting by." Many in school have selected courses, not because they would contribute to real educational attainment, but merely to serve as fillers and secure scholastic credit without mental effort. The masses are not as able to comprehend profound thinking as those of a century ago. One needs but to compare the sermons of Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone delivered to backwoods audiences standing among forest trees, with the frothy utterances of modern preachers made to well dressed audiences sitting in cushioned pews, to see what has transpired in a world which suffers from "luxury's vile contagion." A stomach constantly fed with pre-digested food will soon cease to function, and the same is true of a mind limited only to "digests" containing that which is skimmed off by other minds.

     The modern mind is subjected to constant battering by pressure groups and hucksters. The advertising fraternity no longer seeks to set forth the merits of a product, and allow you to make up your mind, but rather by stealth, subtilty, and suggestiveness, to captivate that mind and exploit it for personal gain. Radio and television audiences find that every phase of life is thus made to bow to Mammon, patron deity of American business. Athletic events become vehicles for the sale of beer and safety razors; news reports for cigarettes and sedatives. The world is suffering from a monstrous "hang-over" and the aspirin sales climb to staggering figures as the reeling, staggering populace seeks relief from a throbbing headache.

     In the midst of such a maelstrom how can the child of God find peace? How can he enlarge and expand his spirit until he can have a consciousness of the abiding Presence? Surely it must be in the cultivation of a "sound mind" which will enable him to find a satisfactory answer to the greatest personal question of all, the reason and purpose of human existence, for the brief span we spend on this material realm. What is the meaning of life? What must we do under the

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heavens all the days of our life? This question of the wisest human monarch should still challenge our own day and generation.

     We are today where our thinking has brought us. We will be tomorrow where our thinking takes us. The antidote to fear and shame is "power, love and a sound mind." The questions of our Lord, "How think ye?" (Matt. 18:12) and "What think ye?" (Matt. 21:28) are pertinent to life, for your character will be moulded by how you think and what you think. For this reason we offer no apology for devoting some space in a few future issues to matters pertaining to intellectual philosophy. We trust you will share these articles with serious young people in high school and college who do not subscribe for the paper.

           "Lord, let me not be too content
          With life in trifling service spent--
               Make me aspire!

          When days with petty cares are filled
          Let me with fleeting thoughts be thrilled
               Of something higher!

          Help me to long for mental grace
          To struggle with the commonplace
               I daily find.

          May little deeds not bring to fruit
          A crop of little thought to suit
               A shriveled mind.