A Sound Mind

I'm encouraged that Edwards quoted 2 Timothy 1:7 because of my experience years ago with folk who considered themselves more "fervent in spirit" than the rest of us. Paul says that God has given us a "spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind (sophronismou)." The word is translated variously as discipline, self-control, and self-discipline. "Sound mind" is from the King James, a notably literal translation. Years ago, as a freshman in a Bible College in Puerto Rico, there was another student who was so "fervent" he was always telling us less spiritual types that he "needed no man" to teach him, for he only listened to God. We students weren't sure how to respond to this, though some thought it sounded good (fewer books to read!). If I'd known the Bible better at the time, of course, (I Peter 5:5, Hebrews 13:7, 17) I would have known how to respond. But it did just seem silly and contrary to all reason, that one uneducated 20 year old had nothing to learn (nothing?) from 19 centuries of Christian brothers and sisters who had written down their thoughts, warnings and admonitions for our benefit.
I think when the Holy Spirit fills us and guides us, the fire and power are balanced by the love and "sophronismou," a sound mind. ~smo