Is your mind right? Are you and I living in a way that makes sense to the Lord, to ourselves, and to the people around us? What does a “right mind” look like?
The world around us seems to get crazier by the day. The pressures of society are causing many—even in the Christian community—to live and react in a way that makes no sense at all. In contrast to that condition, God’s plan is for us to be in our right mind.
Living Soberly & Prudently
Dick’s comments: This topic was birthed in my heart as I worked on a recent Teaching Legacy Letter by Derek Prince called “Grace Teaches Us.” In that letter, Derek quotes Titus 2:11–12: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.”
A commentary in my Bible provided a helpful explanation of the meaning of that word, soberly. “From sozo (to save) and phren (the mind). This word is an adverb signifying acting in a responsible manner, sensibly, prudently, being in self-control and in full possession of intellectual and emotional faculties.” In a word, in our right mind.
These truths set off a chain reaction of study notes that could fill many, many pages—far more than the limits of this monthly letter. However, the summary of this study is clear to me: God wants our minds to be right. In the tumultuous and uncertain times in which we live, what is His will for us? He wants us to be in our right mind.
Released from Fear
Philip’s comments: In recent years, Lisa and I have ministered to many people who were seemingly overwhelmed by a spirit of fear. Especially during the “Covid years,” we saw a new dimension of fear in people that seemed to dismantle their mental state.
The Bible passage that became our theme for that ministry was 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The Amplified Version renders “a sound mind” as: “sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
What we saw consistently was that the spirit of fear which had been unleashed was causing people to be mentally unstable. When we would address the spirit of fear and cast it out, it was as if the people we prayed for would come back to their senses. Like the man Jesus encountered (and delivered) in the Gadarene region, the result was like the report in Luke 8:35. They “found the man from whom the demons had departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind.” One commentary on this verse says that the man was “freed of evil powers that countermanded his own rational mind.”
A Necessity for Our Times
Philip and Dick: How important is it for us to be in our right mind? Derek Prince set an excellent example for the way our minds should glorify the Lord. He employed his significant mental abilities in “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), and in giving “a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Shouldn’t the same be true of us? Our minds need to be sharp and ready.
All around us, we see evidence of the spirit of fear that leads to mental instability. Also, even in Christian circles, we see a passive acquiescence to conditions like dementia, especially as the aging process sets in. But can this be the will of God for us? Rather, isn’t it that each of us would be set free from fear, living in mental health—in our right mind?
As with the Gadarene man mentioned earlier, the transformation Jesus brings is life-changing. His deliverance took him from living “in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones” (Mark 5:5) to sitting next to Jesus, “in his right mind” (v. 15).
Isn’t this God’s ultimate desire? For us to stay close to Jesus in our right mind?
A Wonderful Tool
In a message called “Triumphant Praise,” Derek Prince shares very personally about one specific weapon the enemy used to assault his mind: depression. This is only one of many methods used by the adversary. But the victory Derek describes here can be ours as well. We can employ this helpful tool to stand strong and in our right mind.
The purpose of the preaching of the gospel as exemplified by the Lord Jesus Christ is stated in verse 3 of Isaiah 61: “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness . . . .”
In place of the spirit of heaviness, we are to put on the garment of praise. If there is one thing in the Bible I have learned by experience, it is that truth. For many years, I struggled and wrestled against the spirit of heaviness—what we call “depression” in modern English. I know that spirit—by close, intimate, personal experience. I know what it is to be under it. I know what it is to be oppressed by it. But when I claimed the promise [found in Joel 2:32] and called on the name of the Lord for deliverance from the spirit of heaviness, I was delivered.
Soon I discovered that there is even more of a battle staying free than getting delivered. How was I to prevent the spirit of heaviness from coming back? God reminded me of the truth of the verse from Isaiah 61. In place of the spirit of heaviness, you put on the garment of praise. While you’re wearing the garment of praise, the spirit of heaviness can never come near you. The garment of praise keeps depression and every dark mood and attitude away from you. This is the power of praise. Praise should be a spiritual garment every believer wears at all times. Night and day, we are adorned and protected with the garment of praise.
Doing Battle
Pulling down mental strongholds like depression requires deliberate action. This battle is outlined in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” Let’s invoke His power together now with this bold proclamation:
Lord Jesus, I take my stand in Your authority and power. In Your name, I repudiate and nullify every weapon Satan might try to use in attacking my mind. I rebuke anxiety, depression, self-doubt, insecurity, suicidal thoughts, accusations, dementia, curses, and every manifestation of the spirit of fear. I reject all the tactics the enemy is using against my mind, and I cast them down, in the name of Jesus.
Now, Lord, by faith, I step boldly into the mental stability and wellness that is Your will for my life. Like the man You healed completely, I take my place at your feet, Lord Jesus . . . clothed in Your righteousness and in my right mind.
Help me as I continue to protect myself from every mental attack the enemy tries to inflict upon me. I will stand strong in You—in my right mind. Amen.
Continued Strength
With this declaration, the battle for our minds has now been engaged, and it will continue. We have issued a declaration of war against the enemy, and even though he is a defeated foe, he doesn’t give up easily. Don’t be surprised when he tries to continue his assault upon your mind. But you can count on the Lord to strengthen you in this battle.
All of us at DPM want to help as well. It is our conviction that the topic of this letter is a major issue that needs to be addressed by every Christian, especially throughout the remainder of this year. A good initial step would be for you to request the message from which we extracted the quote by Derek Prince: “Triumphant Praise.” We believe it will help greatly as you take definitive steps to stand strong “in your right mind.”
This message by Derek is yours, free of charge. Just use the link below. We provide it with our thanks for your continued prayers and for the gifts you have generously provided.
A Step toward Victory
Many of our dear DPM friends and partners can testify to the victory they have experienced in the battle for our minds. At our office, we regularly receive testimonies of people who have been set free by the authority of Jesus Christ from anxiety, depression, self-doubt, the spirit of fear, and generational curses like dementia and suicidal thoughts.
At a recent DPM staff meeting, we read this moving testimony from a dear sister whose mind had been attacked by the enemy. “I was hurt by my mom at age nine in such a way that I remembered vowing that no one will ever hurt me like that again. In a moment, I went from pain and innocence to rage, rebellion, and self-preservation.”
That phrase, in a moment, shows how sinister the adversary is, crouching at the door, waiting to disable us, especially in our minds. But you and I have taken firm action against that tactic of the enemy, haven’t we? A step toward strength and ultimate victory in Jesus. A decision to stand in His authority so we can serve Him in our right mind.
Sincerely in Christ,
Philip Wyns
President, DPM-USA
All the best,
Dick Leggatt
Executive Consultant/Senior Editor
