0221 BEING IN YOUR RIGHT MIND

BEING IN YOUR RIGHT MIND

Did you know that foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child? It takes discipline to deliver them. Among the simple are also many young men, who have no sense. An arrow will pierce their liver if they do not free themselves of their folly. Apparently, also the hearts of demon-possessed men are in serious need of sobering.

Today we see the story of Legion, the Gadarene demoniac who is delivered by Jesus. We have covered much about the story before. But we didn’t yet pause to reflect on this one word that is such an important biblical concept. Here is how Luke describes it:

Luke 8:35 Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

The word is sophroneo in Greek, translated here as “in his right mind.” In other translations it is rendered, “In his right mind.” “Mentally healthy.” “Completely sane.” “Of a sound mind.” “Sensible.” “Sound-minded.” “Quite sane.” Get the idea? The man was in control of his mental health at last! He was healed of the demons, and it brought sanity to his brain. 

As I say, we all begin our lives not being quite sane. We must learn self control. We learn to be mature when we say no to ourselves. After all, self control is a fruit of the Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit works in us to bring us to perfect maturity and wholeness of mind.

This poor guy Legion had been out of control for years, and he received instant deliverance from Jesus casting out the demons within him. For most of us, our deliverance is less dramatic, but with the same result.

That word sophroneo is only used four other times in the New Testament, and each time it is translated differently in most versions. That’s because it is in contrast to different states of mind.

SELF CONTROL. Some of us experience what we might call “blackouts” from anger or substance abuse. They are moments when we are out of control. As I say, it seems to be especially common in young men. But the opposite of blacking out is to be self controlled or sober minded. In fact, it is the one single thing that young men need to focus on, as we will see in Paul’s letter to Titus. Older men, older women and younger women all are given a list of multiple things to work on. But for young men, there is just one: self control. Being sober minded. Titus 2:6: "Likewise, encourage the young men to be self-controlled."

SOBER JUDGMENT. I think it’s fair to say that we all struggle with humility. We tend to be selfish. We are born with self-centered hearts. But the Spirit instructs every one of us “not to think more highly than you ought, but to think of yourself with sober judgment.” (Romans 12:3)

OF SOBER MIND. We also tend to become distracted, as if this world and our time here would go on forever. As if God was not calling us to be on the alert for what the enemy is up to. As various translations say, we must be watchful. Fully conscious. Alert. Giving full attention. Remember how Peter and the others fell asleep there in the garden while Jesus was praying? Peter is the one who tells us, "The end of all things is at hand. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” (1 Peter 4:7)

OF SOUND MIND. The Lord leads us to be emotionally measured. In control. Our flesh leads us to be beside ourselves, out of our minds, to lose our mind. But for the sake of the cause of helping and serving others, we must be “of sound mind, . . . for you.” (2 Corinthians 5:13)

So, whatever state we may be coming from, whether it is youthful immaturity or self-centeredness or distracted worldliness or uncontrolled emotions, it is God’s will and the Spirit’s leading to bring us to be like Legion after his dramatic deliverance: fully clothed and in our right minds. 

Lord, teach us to be like you.