The Sound Mind Principle, Part 1

How can a person decide what is God's will for his life? Let me share with you what I have chosen to call "the sound mind principle" of Scripture.

In 2 Timothy 1:7 we are told, "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (KJV). The sound mind referred to in this verse means a mind under the control of the Holy Spirit, renewed according to Romans 12:2: "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" (NIV).

The sound mind is the renewed mind. The sound mind principle involves the use of the renewed mind.

There is a vast difference between the inclination of the natural or carnal person to use worldly "common sense" and that of the spiritual person to follow the sound mind principle. The former depends upon the wisdom of man for understanding; the latter, having the mind of Christ, receives wisdom and guidance from God moment by moment through faith.
To help you determine God's will for your life according to the sound mind principle of Scripture, follow this bit of logic. First, consider these questions: "Why did Jesus come?" He came to "seek and to save what was lost." (Luke 19:10) Then, "What is the greatest experience of your life?" "To know Christ personally as my Savior and Lord." Finally, "What is the greatest thing you can do to help others?" The answer is obvious: "Introduce them to Christ."

A spiritually renewed sound mind tells me that the most important thing I can possibly do as a Christian is to allow the Lord Jesus Christ in all of His resurrection power to have complete, unhindered control of my life. Otherwise, He cannot continue to seek and save the lost through me.

Every Christian is under divine orders to be a faithful witness for Christ. Thus, every sincere Christian will want to make his God-given time, talents and treasure available to Christ so that his fullest potential will be realized for Him.

List, evaluate and compare the talents that God has given you in relation to your training, personality and other qualities, then from this, prayerfully make a list of the ways in which your life can best glorify God.
Through this prayerful exercise, the Holy Spirit will reveal His will for your life.
But caution: The sound mind principle does not work unless certain factors exist. See Part 2, coming next.

Dr. Bill Bright is founder and chairman of Campus Crusade for Christ, an organization which began as a campus ministry in 1951 and now has more than 25,000 full-time staff and 553,000 trained volunteer staff in 196 countries in areas representing 99.6 percent of the world's population. Dr. Bright is also the author of more than 50 books. Dr. Bright recently co-founded Global Pastors Network to "Touch, Teach and Train" ministers around the world 24/7/365 at http://www.globalpastorsnetwork.org

Copyright (c) 2002, Bill Bright. For many free evangelistic and spiritual growth materials, visit the Campus Crusade for Christ Web site at http://www.ccci.org

See http://www.newlifepubs.com  for Bill Bright's own materials.