A Sound Mind by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 27, 1907

A Sound Mind

By J. S. Washburn

J. S. WASHBURN

If the enemy of our souls can not fill us with worldliness, can not cause us to commit open and terrible sin, but finds in us a desire to serve God, he will do his utmost to push us over to the extreme of fanaticism, and get us to take extreme positions, which may in the end accomplish as much or more harm than open wickedness. Let us remember that God “hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

The mind of the Lord is perfectly sound. It is perfectly balanced. The nearer we become like him, the more strongly manifest will be that which we in homely terms call common sense. Foolish sentimentality, wild extremes, have no place in true Christian experience.

It is true that God gives to us joy, happiness, unbounded, unmeasured; but there is always with it a serenity, a peace that passeth all understanding. The Spirit of God is a meek and quiet spirit. The Holy Ghost never makes a fool of a man. All about us there are those teaching doctrines that seem to have been condemned by the wise man, who said, “Be not righteous over much.” Many times these doctrines come so near to the truth that it is difficult to distinguish the dividing line between the truth and falsehood, but those who go over the line are led to claim extra holiness and sanctity. Logically the next step is that their desires, feelings, and propensities have been sanctified, and elevated to a higher plane than that of their fellow beings; that they are holy, and are safe to follow.

For a time Satan may hold his deceived servants from committing outbreaking sin, but the time surely comes when some wild, foolish, or terrible act indicates that these deceived souls are off the main line, and that which seemed to them a higher and quicker line to heaven proves to have been but a side-track, quickly turning down from the main road to destruction. May the Lord give us all the spirit of a sound mind, preserving us from following the many voices that say, “Lo here,” and “Lo there.” Matt. 24:23 is being fulfilled to-day.

Nashville, Tenn.