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Morning Thoughts |
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Morning Thoughts |
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II Timothy 1:7, "For God hath
not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound
mind." This morning, my thoughts have been stirred by some discussion at work. As is usually the case in human interaction through conversation, people unintentionally "give away" quite a lot of information about their real feelings if the surroundings and subject matter are suitable to them. If the subject matter is unappealing or the atmosphere congestive, people either clam up or play a game of deflection. However, at work the atmosphere was around the coffee pot with a discussion about "the old days with grandpa." Therefore, quite a lot of inside the heart feelings and thoughts came out. Generally speaking, the subject of the conversation was that people in this area then and now "are clannish and live by the feud." While we do not have the shootings like the old west, most families in this area are large and have long histories among themselves and with other families. Some people who have not spoken to each other for 50 years now have their children and grandchildren (sometimes) doing the same. Quite frankly, the most frustrating thing about it is that most are proud of this "accomplishment. As Paul opens his address to the young man Timothy, he will broach the very subject that we have on our minds this day. Paul tells Timothy specifically what God has not given us and what He has. The thing not given by God is fear - in this case timidity or cowardice. God does not make someone a coward. If someone is living in timid fear or morbid dread, God did not give that to them. Rather, they have succumbed to their own emotion in that regard. On the other hand, God has given us three things that are opposed to fear: power, love, and a sound mind. While we could spend quite a bit of time on the power and love, let us examine what exactly a sound mind is and how it applies to the realm of conversation that we have experienced today. Whatever a sound mind is, it must be opposed to the spirit of fear. Cowardly behaviour can come in many shapes and sizes, but not all of them boil down to some little runt being afraid to fight the big, bad giant. Most forms of cowardice are shaped into the mold of refusal to admit wrong. People who are unwilling to admit wrongdoing are basically afraid of doing so. Perhaps their reputation will go down, or perhaps their sense of glory and gloat will be knocked down another notch. Whatever the case may be, they are still guilty of fear and cowardice. On the other hand, the spirit of fear also shuns taking stands of any kind due to the possibility of conflict arising. Some people are such pacifist peacemakers that they cannot stomach the least disagreement, even when it is warranted and merited. Cowardly fear cannot take conflict, even when something really needs resolution. A sound mind is defined as "self control," "moderation," and "discipline." Basically, one of the things that God has given us is the ability to control ourselves, behave in non-extreme fashions, and shut the door on fear. When someone becomes afraid, they are basically throwing off their ability to control themselves. When someone says, "Well, I just can't..." about doing something right, it is an affront to God, for it flies contrary to His word, which clearly states that we can. (Philippians 4:13) When I was a younger man, I claimed that I could not control my temper since our family came from Irish descent. Later, I expanded this premise to include the Bohemian German descent as well. Since both of these cultures had warring, feuding pasts, my lack of temper control was simply hereditary and unavoidable. Looking back, I was simply too afraid to confront myself and deal with my own shortcomings. A sound mind is also moderate (non-extreme) in that it understands that too far one way is just as bad as too far the other way. Rather, a disciplined mind is what is needed to daily deny self and strive to hit the mark of Christ Jesus. Since fearful minds do not take a stand when necessary, a sound mind understands when a stand is needed and so stands. Since fearful minds do not control themselves when going too far, a sound mind understands what is too far and does not exceed the line. Furthermore, a sound mind can be exercised to rectify one of these two scenarios when we fail to follow them in this life. Now, one might inquire, how did you think of this due to the coffeepot discussion? As I listened to men gloat about 50 year old grudges, I was made to think about how self-indulgent that was, and how uncontrolled that lifestyle was. These men were too afraid to admit wrongdoing, seek reconciliation, and have more harmonious lives. Perhaps some in these clans desired some other living condition but were too afraid to stand up to the other folks in the family. In both cases, lack of moderation and controlled discipline were sadly manifest. Many times, the behaviour of an individual looks the least foolish to him, but those standing around him can see what he cannot. They looked at me as an outsider "not from around here" that just did not have a clue how this was supposed to be. From my vantage point (which I admit could be completely off center), these were aged men living in malice as men with children's understanding, instead of the Biblical pattern, which is reversed. (I Corinthians 14:20) There are things in life for which we should get angry, as that emotion is not without its place. However, that anger needs resolution before the next day. (Ephesians 4:26) There are things for which we need to take a firm stand in this world, but that stand must always be seasoned with the power and love of unceasing charity. (I Corinthians 16:13-14) There are also things worth letting go, for continuance in them will only gender strife, heartache, and misery. Anything else is being cowardly in our self-indulgence, due to either unabated ego or excessive pacifism. May it be said of us that our lives were marked by a deep sense of duty indelibly tattooed over our personage and manner of life. Further, this deep conviction was full of seasoned charity that sought to live a quiet and peaceable life with all men. When this balance is struck - which takes a lifelong journey of effort - we avoid both ditches of fear and show forth self control and discipline with moderation in all things. (Philippians 4:5) In Hope,  Bro Philip |