Beloved I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.
3 John 2
I can’t say this any stronger- our mental health is hinged on the value and priority we assign to the Word of God as the authority in our lives. First and last, we hold His standard before our eyes and meditate on it to find right thoughts and right ways that lead us into life.
Paul’s prayer for his beloveds’ well being is simply a human reflection of God’s heart for us as His children.
The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Thessalonians reminds us that the will of God is for the sanctification of our life; spirit, soul and body.
1 Thessalonians 5:23, NASB: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
All facets of our being are to be subjected to the leading and direction of our Lord Jesus Christ. This submission of spirit, soul and body keeps us in peace; complete and without blame at his coming.
Ephesians chapter four talks about a futile mind …
17: Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.”
And a renewal of the spirit of your mind ~
23: and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds”
Futile is strong word, meaning emptiness, unreality, purposelessness, ineffectiveness, frustration, aimless, I.e. all that lacks God for its true end.
The spirit of your mind, we like to refer to as not what you think but rather how you think. A healthy mind always see the glass half full, the unhealthy mind is like Winnie the Poohs Eeyoore, nothing is ever quite right. All is suspect.
Peter wrote in his first epistle, 2:25 “you were going astray but have now returned to the Shepherd and overseer of your soul”. And from 1:22… “having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth.
It’s one thing to know what the word has to say, it is another to actually obey it’s instruction.
Proverbs exhorts: “Attend to my word.” Pay attention to the things I’ve written and said.
It is health and healing to all your flesh.
Jesus promised a restored soul, as we follow Him into green pastures and still waters.
As the Shepherd and Overseer of our soul, He delights to renew our thinking processes and bring them into alignment with His.
The book of Revelation, reveals to the church at Pergamum, that there is hidden manna for those who overcome the false teaching that leads to compromise. Why so much emphasis on the word of God? In these last days, the bible assures us of men having itching ears, being deceived, and false teachers leading many astray. We strive to remind all, the foundation of life and ministry is to preach and teach Jesus.
Our lives are to be lived to the praise, glory and honour at the revelation we carry concerning Jesus Christ, as the word made flesh. The Father, in these days, now speaks to us through His son Jesus. Jesus now speaks to us through His written word highlighted and revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things. Mysteries, yet to be revealed. Treasures, to uncover. Wisdom and knowledge, waiting for the one who desires and seeks after Him.
Jesus said, “the words I speak are spirit and life”, and “he who feeds on me will live.” What a wonderful thing to have a book filled with the words of life.
Life is hinged on the “even as” our soul propers.