Titus 1:12-16

Being sound in the faith requires having a sound mind and a sound conscience.  Let us consider today having a sound mind.

The Greek term for mind is not just the brain; it is what we might call the mindset or way of thinking.  A sound mind is always more than just facts; it is the use of those facts in our day-to-day lives.  The Scriptures has many ways to define an unhealthy mind but in Titus 1:15 it is said to be defiled.  The Greek term comes from the practice of dying something a different color and thus came to be used of staining, polluting or contaminating something.  The Jews stayed out of Pilate’s judgment hall (John 18:28) because they didn’t want to be stained and thus impure at Passover time.  In Titus 1:15 the term is used twice.

On the other hand, a healthy mind is the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16).  It has been opened by Christ to understand the Scriptures (Luke 24:45).  Every though of the healthy mind has been taken captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).  It is the result of lifelong spiritual growth (1 Cor. 14:14,15,19).  A healthy mind, because it is in sync with the Creator, leads to a healthy life.  Literally!  This came to my attention a few years ago when I was reading an article on schizophrenia.  The typical causes were said to be things like substance abuse, growing up with critical patents, living in an urban environment, and even something as simple as being born in winter or spring.  My thought was that the mind of Christ (i.e. a healthy mind) would enable a person to live properly with these kinds of issues.

What are the keys to a healthy mind?

·        Grace.  God must do the work in our minds.  He must bring us to repentance (2 Tim. 2:25); by the New Covenant He graciously puts His law in our hearts (Heb. 8:10).  That is why we pray that the eyes of our understanding might be enlightened to know His benefits (Eph. 1:18).  God’s work is required!

·        Consideration.  The Greek word for mind is noeo.  If you put the prefix kata in front of that you get the word consider.  It means to intently fix your mind on something.  Perhaps it is like meditation, not emptying the mind but focusing the mind of the truth of Scripture (e.g. Heb. 3:1: consider Jesus).

·        Admonition.  The Greek noutheteo means to set the set the mind or put it in place.  Admonition goes along with a sharp rebuke.  Biblically it is always a correcting ministry based in Scripture.  We must be open to reproof.  Parents do this (Eph. 6:4); and believers must do this for each other (Rom. 15:14).

·        Repentance.  If you put the prefix meta in front of noeo it means to change one’s mind.  It is the word for repentance.  Jesus calls those in the lukewarm church to repent when He knocks at the door, seeking admittance (Rev. 3:19-20).  True repentance will produce appropriate works (Matt. 3:8; Acts 26:20).

These kinds of things lead to renewal, to minds that will lead to transformation into the likeness of Christ (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23).