The Way to a Sound Mind and a Strong Character Proverbs 2

What SOCIETY thinks about a sound mind and a strong character.

Army Strong! Society will lead you to believe that the way to a sound mind and strong character is through self. Self Improvement. Self Discipline. Self Awareness. Inner Strength.

Make it Happen! Society will tell you that you need to stop whining and: Stand up for you Get your own way It’s right if it works End justifies means

A Better You! Society will tell you that to achieve true happiness you have to: Reach your potential Break your shell Empower Yourself Believe in Yourself

Not Skinny or Pretty Enough! Society will tell you that to achieve true happiness you have to: Be Model thin Be Model pretty Be Celebrity Rich Be Famous Be Successful

Canadian Self Improvement Facts Canadians spend annually: $0.9B on Weight Loss Products $1.1B on Self Improvement $1.2B on Fitness Products $1.7B on Mental Health Products $11.3B on Gambling and Lottery $14.3B on Wine, Beer and Spirits *Statistics Canada Web Site

How SOCIETY fares with regards to a sound mind and a strong character.

Canadian Statistics on the Homeless *Statistics: Statistics Canada 2001 Census

Canadian Statistics on Crime *Statistics: Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) 2004

Canadian Statistics on Drugs *Statistics: Canadian Addiction Survey – Health Canada 2004

Canadian Statistics on Body Image *Statistics: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Canadian Statistics on Drinking *Statistics: Canadian Addiction Survey – Health Canada 2004

Canadian Statistics on Gambling *Statistics: Statistics Canada 2001 Study

Where are the POSITIVE MESSAGES of sound mind? Where are the ROLE MODELS of strong character in society?

How can SOCIETY expect to produce citizens with sound mind and a strong character?

They can’t. So what can be done?

Key Principles of a Sound Mind and a Strong Character Calm, Reasonable, Aware Responsible and Reliable Caring and Compassionate Disciplined and Law Abiding Leader by Example Manages Issues and Stresses Trustworthy and Honest Selfless and Serving others

What the BIBLE thinks about a sound mind and a strong character.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

“For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:19

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

“ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. ” James 1:8

“Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. ” Proverbs 8:14

“He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Proverbs 2:7

“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies…” Matthew 15:19

Galatians 5:19-23 “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

Genesis 6:5 “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” James 3:17

“Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed” Psalm 119:80

“That your faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5

“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Proverbs 13:20

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

“…to know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; To give subtlety to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels…” Proverbs 1:2-6

James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.”

2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

The development of a sound mind and a strong character is one that requires Godly principles.

Philipians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”