In life, they say there is no wrong perspective. All may be deemed to be correct. I beg to differ, you may have wrong perspective about life itself. Your view may differ from God's view, so God's view is correct.
A sound mind is a right judgement of things that are based on the word of God. Having a sound mind is to have and maintain God's perspective of oneself and our environment or surrounding. We are not born with a sound mind; it is not something that comes naturally to human beings 2 Tim 1:7.
KJV says sound mind, NIV says self-discipline, interpreted also as self-control, good judgement or sound judgement. You don't have a sound mind when you are subject to fear, past trauma or low self-esteem. A sound mind does not come upon you by default. You need to be self-disciplined and be in control of your thoughts and imaginations. Romans 12:2.
Self-control
Control in some form or another, wielded by someone or something, is an undeniable reality of daily life under the sun. Whether we think about it or not, it's there! Someone or something is in control.
Self-control is restraint, exercised over one's impulses, emotions or desires. We have the power to bring sin under control when we have self-control, but without self-control, sin controls us. Proverbs 25:28 28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. In ancient times, the walls of a city were the main defense, acted as a fortress. When the walls were broken, the city was vulnerable to its enemies. Self-control is a disciple's wall of defense against the sinful desires that wage war against the soul. Losing self-control leaves us as helpless as a city without a wall.
Self-control is described as a fruit of the spirit in Galatians 5:23 Paul instructs Titus concerning the qualifications in the appointment of an elder in Titus 1:8 Self-control is a criteria. In chapter 2, he commands older men to be self-controlled (2:2), younger women to be self-controlled (2:5) and the young men are urged likewise to be self-controlled (2:6). In Titus 2:11-12 Paul teaches that believers are trained in self-control by the grace of God. Bro Paul further states that we need Christ to achieve self-control in our life.
1 Cor. 9:24-27. Bro Paul compared life to a race and uses sports analogy to emphasise that we, similar to athletes ought to cultivate a goal oriented mindset, and develop the habits of discipline and self-control as we strive towards the eternal goal of Heaven. There's a war going on in the inside of every individual, especially Christians, between the spirit and the flesh, between our natural fleshly instincts, and our desire to please God. There's a war going on concerning our salvation. Let's discuss habits with few examples of how this can negatively affect us.
Habits
Human beings are habitual being; we live better when we have established habits. Good habits benefit and empower our well-being, inspire our developments and successes in life. Habits are routine behaviors that are repeated regularly, often becoming automatic and subconscious. They can be good or bad and are formed through repetition. Habits become so strong that they control us instead of us controlling them; at such times, the body needs us to respond to it with serious and strict measures to gain back control. If not, you'll find yourself, rendered powerless to the desires of the body. You may have a strong will to do something but find yourself failing to do it due to lack of control you have over your own physical body.
Examples:
Food/feeding:
The primary reason we eat is for us to be healthy and have strength to do the things we need to do. God gave the Israelites instructions on what to eat and what not to eat in Leviticus 11:1-42. This means God is interested in what we eat. Because he cares about our health. Beloved Apostle John in 3 John 1:2. This verse expresses a wish for both physical and spiritual wellbeing. We cannot continue to eat junk food and expect to be in health over the years. Taking in more than your body needs/excessive feeding is also another habit God talks about. God didn't design our body to eat too much food until our stomach is overly filled. Over eating basically makes us weak and harms us over time. Hence, our bodies are stronger and can fight diseases better when we eat moderately and correctly. Proverbs 23:2.
A Christian, who cannot control his/her appetite will likely be spiritually dead and lazy because he will find it difficult to discipline self to fast. Matthew 6:16 note that Jesus says "when ye fast", not "if you fast" what is the difference? It is not conditional for a Christian to fast, it implies that every Christian is expected to fast. Matthew 7:21, There's a level of spiritual authority that can be attained when fasting is added to prayer. Besides, as we get older, we cannot eat whatever we like at whatever time we like. It is practically impossible to consume a heavy meal at night and you plan to wake up in the middle of the night to pray. You will over-sleep because you will feel tired and drowsy after a heavy meal. Do you have self-control or self-discipline over your diet/appetite? When we cannot adjust to stop this habit, then we are under its control.
Around 605 BC, Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army conquered Jerusalem, taking some of the Judean nobles back to Babylon. Some portion of the young men brought to Babylon, were selected to train for service with the Babylonian government. Among these were Daniel and 3 of his friends best known by their Babylonian names of shadrack, Meshach and Abednego. Their three years training programme included eating the same food served to the king, which would have been the best food in the land. Daniel 1:5-8 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. So Daniel and by implication his friends resolved not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine. The reason for the potential defilement is not given here, but the meat and wine would possibly have been part of the forbidden items or food instructed by the Lord in Leviticus 11 or 17:10-14, which might have been a taboo perhaps.
Also, was it also possible that these foods were part of foods offered unto idols as we know that the Jewish laws forbids the eating of meat sacrificed to false gods. Could it also be that Daniel might have thought that eating the king's food represents accepting the king's friendship and patronage? One thing clearly illustrated here is that these men had self-control, they were self-disciplined and resolute. Little wonder they could build their spiritual lives and had spiritual depths despite living in diaspora and knowing the consequences of such. They were possibly teenagers by all implications, described as young men (youths). In fact, scholars suggest they were likely or possibly between 15- 20 years old. They were at an age where they could be educated and trained for service. How disciplined are you concerning food, snacks, diet?
Sexual purity:
One area where self-control and self-disciplined is demanded of us is sexual purity. The world has a lot to say about sex, and the society continues to push sexual immorality upon us. Sexual immorality is constantly in our faces as suggestive acts, as the act itself is found everywhere - in the television, movies, adverts, social media, magazines, adverts on bill board, and even on buses and train. You cannot even watch a movie on the television with young children in peace because you would have a lot of explanations to do when you fast forward half of the movie.
The world, our society speaks so loudly but sadly, the most part of the church, families are either completely silent about it or speak with a soft fading voice. But the truth is that the young ones in primary and early secondary schools know more than we think. It will shock you how much they know. So it is no surprise that we see a growing number of celebrities cut up in the web of sexual scandals, sexual assaults, rapes, etc. These are known because they are celebrities, whose life are in the open, thousands are happening behind closed doors. The numbers are growing because of lack of self-control and self-discipline. Young ones as early as primary school, secondary schools are keeping boyfriends or girlfriends - young ones who are not contemplating marriage are keeping partners. What is it for? Hebrews 13:4.
Marriage should be honoured by all and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. This verse has now become feeble and old school in our world today. Secular movies and films have not been helpful. Sadly, they make boyfriends, girlfriends and sex appear normal in high schools - romantic engagements amongst teenagers or any young one who is not ready for marriage. We live in a permissive world, young ladies who are not married use contraceptive, either oral, barrier or intrauterine conceptive devices. But the will of God is sexual purity. Sex and any form of romantic involvement is created and restricted to the confines of marriage. No matter how old you are or what experience you have had, God calls for sexual purity amongst his children. 1 Tim 4:12, Col 3:5, 1 Cor. 6:18, 2 Cor 6:14-17.
The world says it is okay to feel an inordinate affection, but God says it is not okay to be a homosexual, lesbian or any other form of sexual impurity. The world says it is okay to cohabit before marriage, but God is saying No! You cannot cohabit and live as husband and wife while not married. God has a message for his children per time. What is the will of God? 1 Thess. 4:3-5.
Nowhere is self-discipline more necessary for Christians than in facing sexual temptations. Genesis 39:2-8. Potiphar's wife was a powerful woman, very seductive and it would be unwise to upset or offend her but Joseph did not yield to her seductions. Joseph could have argued, "nobody will know" or even say "everybody else is doing it" But instead he lived to please God and made no provision for the flesh. Rom 13:14 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Joseph resisted her seduction with self-control: he refused. Self-discipline has the ability to say No! Gen 39:8-9.
Joseph was well aware of his boundaries and privileges. He had considered the damage that would follow from sexual misbehaviour. We need to always consider the damage and the consequences; sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID), blockage of the fallopian tubes, ectopic pregnancies, HIV, loss of self-esteem and dignity and ultimately being estranged from God.
Joseph's first strategic response to temptation was running away; getting out and getting out fast might be the only option. Flee fornication! Psalms 1:1 which of these snakes is easy to play with - the black mamba, or the python, the Cobra or anaconda? None. Otherwise, we will get bitten, that's what sin does. If Joseph could not control himself as a servant, he could never control others as a ruler. Joseph lost his coat while fleeing but he kept his character. He lost his position in Potiphar's house, ended up in prison but was exalted and became a Prime Minister. If you want to go far in life, this is one area to avoid; flee!!!
An opposite of Joseph in the scriptures is the man called Samson. Born a nazarite, privileged and honoured to be a judge over God's children but lost all including his life because of lack of self-control and self-discipline.
Paul taught the Corinthian church to flee from sexual immorality. We need to learn from Joseph to flee certain situations and people, if we fear we could fall into sexual immorality. Sometimes, doing the right Godly thing is costly, as in the case of Joseph who was thrown into the prison on account of false allegation. 1 Peter 4:15-16. If you suffer as a Christian, count it all joy. God would wait for you there to prepare you for greater things.
Social media
We live in an electronic age and virtually everyone is online in one form or another. We cannot deny the beneficial impact of social media in the church locally and globally. However, it is not without its considerable evil and sinful conduct. Social media has emerged as a potent instrument for evangelism and Christians use these platforms to disseminate the gospel, send inspirational messages, hold online meetings and mid-week activities like bible studies, prayer meetings, and worship services and so on considering our demographic- geographic locations.
However, we'll agree that it could be a huge waste of time as people spend several hours on social media everyday using it for unproductive activities. Some have become addicted to social media. Many things posted on social media are not the true reflection of people's everyday life. People post contents designed to inflate their ego, show only what they want others to see, often times it is a facade - a deceptive outward appearance. This is one of the greater concerns with social media. It could be a platform for those craving attention, and to get more attention sometimes, one will act with extremes just to get more likes and views. It is increasingly concerning more than ever now that people no longer interact with others physically anymore the way we used to. They would rather interact with unseen people out there on social media. Has this been a good use of our time? Is social media having control over you, your life, and your time? Do you open social media each day before you talk to God or hear from him through the bible? Are you disciplined enough to control your use of social media? Bro Paul warns in Ephesians 5:15-16.21.