SANITY FROM A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE

From a scriptural perspective, sanity is closely associated with having a sound mind. Conversely, a sense of disorder (chaos) and oppression come along with insanity. 

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "sanity," biblical principles emphasize that mental clarity and spiritual grounding are closely related. 

The scriptures tell us that wisdom and God's truth are in alignment.  The Jewish and Christian scriptures combined in the Bible teach that the renewal of the mind is a process that prayer facilitates.

Prayer and communion with God brings us the divine power to overcome spiritual chaos and protects us from spiritual turmoil, both of which are hallmarks of insanity.

Key Biblical Insights on Sanity:

Maintaining sanity involves anchoring oneself in God's unchanging truth. Sanity is linked to wisdom and understanding.  Many of the Proverbs portray seeking God's wisdom with a sound mind.

Proverbs 2.6 (NIV) -- For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

By contrast, not being right-minded or having an unsound mind is marked by debased behavior and unsound decision making.

Thr biblical concepts associated to sanity bring greater discernment, which leads us to better life choices.

Common sense, rational thinking and spiritual clarity are connected.  Conversely, those that do not see fit to acknowledge God put themselves on personally destructive paths.  In biblical times, the worst of those with a debased mind were often considered to be possessed by an evil spirit. 

Two renowned self-improvement authors, Napoleon Hill and Earl Nightingale, made the case that "we become what we think about."  Nearly two thousands years prior, the Apostle Paul said, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Sanity from  Hebrew Perspective 

The Torah does not have a specific Hebrew word that translates exactly to "sanity," however, several Hebrew words and phrases convey related concepts such as soundness of mind, wisdom, and rationality:

1. שְׁפִי (Shefi) - Meaning calmness, serenity, or clarity of mind. This word can be used to describe a state of mental peace or balance, which is closely related to the idea of sanity.

2. דַּעַת (Da'at) - Meaning knowledge, understanding, or awareness. In a scriptural context, da'at often refers to God-given wisdom and discernment, qualities of a sound mind.

3. חָכמָה chokmah - Wisdom encompasses not just knowledge, but also the ability to judge correctly, follow the best course of action, and see things from a wise perspective. 

4. שֵׂכֶל Sechel is both a Hebrew and a Yiddish word that can mean intelligence, smarts, brains, reason, common sense, cleverness or even wisdom. 

5. תְּבוּנָה (Tevunah) - Meaning understanding or insight. This word is used in the Torah to describe deep comprehension and discernment.

All these words represent qualities associated with sanity.

The modern Hebrew word for "sanity" or "soundness of mind" is שְׁפִיּוּת (shefiyut). Notice that this word begins with the same letter's as #1 above -- שְׁפִי (Shefi). 

Modern Hebrew captures the concept of sanity rooted in the scriptures.  שְׁפִיּוּת (shefiyut) refers to mental health, rationality, or being in a state of soundness of mind. It is commonly used in modern Hebrew to describe sanity in psychological or emotional contexts.

While the modern Hebrew word "shefiyut" is not in the Tenach, it's root word aligns with biblical ideas of mental clarity and peace. For example:

The Hebrew prophet Isaiah said in verse 26.3 that God will bring "shalom shalom" to those that rely (trust) and stay steadfast in Him. This state of "perfect peace" reflects a feeling of calmness and wholeness. This concept is echoed throughout both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. 

Praying, For a Sound Mind

There is a logical connection between prayer and sanity when examining the Hebrew language and scriptures. The Hebrew word for prayer, תְּפִלָּה (tefillah), is rooted in the verb פלל (palal), meaning "to judge" or "to evaluate oneself." This implies that prayer involves self-reflection and aligning one's thoughts with divine truth, fostering clarity and soundness of mind.

Furthermore, the Hebrew prayer the Shema emphasizes shema ("listen" or "obey"), which calls for attentiveness to God's voice and commands. Listening deeply and responding to God’s guidance cultivates mental clarity and spiritual grounding, essential for sanity. Prayer thus becomes an act of re-centering oneself, promoting inner peace, rationality, and alignment with higher truths.

Renewal 

Spring reminds us of renewal. Spring is a promise of God. 

In the scriptures, renewal of the heart brings renewal of the mind. A spiritual transformation renews the heart and the mind. 

Prayer renews our perspective by replacing worldly patterns of thinking (fear, doubt, pride) with godly ones (faith, trust, humility).

In prayer, we examine our hearts and bring our innermost thoughts to God. This process helps us sort through confusion, confront irrational fears, desires, and align our mind with God's will. It’s like untangling a knot—prayer helps us identify what’s out of place in our thinking and allows God to straighten it out.

Prayer isn’t just a spiritual exercise—it’s also a mental reset. It clears away confusion by shifting our focus from ourselves and our problems to God’s greatness and faithfulness.

Insanity

On the other hand, it stands to reason that the reverse could be true: an unsound mind or lack of sanity might stem, at least in part, from a disconnection from God. 

The Bible often portrays a sound mind as being rooted in a relationship with God, while separation from Him can lead to confusion, irrationality, or spiritual instability. 
For example, Romans 1:28 says, "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a debased mind".

Many have heard the expression that there is no rest for the wicked."  This originates from 
Isaiah 57:20-21:l -- "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest... 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked.'"

Conclusion

When someone neglects prayer or lives disconnected from God's presence, they may lose the grounding and clarity that prayer and a connection to God provides. 

With this estrangement comes anxiety, confusion, fear and hopelessness. It is enough to drive one insane.  

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 -- The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem: “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”

In summary, sanity or soundness of mind is deeply intertwined with one's relationship with God. Disconnection from Him can lead to spiritual and emotional unrest. True mental clarity comes from living in alignment with the Word of God and listening to the still small voice of His Spirit inside us.

Epilogue:

If you're still with me, take an extra moment for a little humor. God has a great sense of humor. 

WE BETTER "GET SMART"  

Do you remember the TV show "Get Smart?"  The star, Don Adams, Agent "Maxwell Smart," was born Donald James Yarmy (DOB 4/1923) in New York City to a father of Hungarian Jewish descent and a mother had German/Irish Catholic ancestry. Perhaps that explains the "Red Line" that Smart straddles as he walks down the center of the stairs in the shows opening. (See video.)

https://youtu.be/AJ6gdRfBW6c?si=FBW238gwN4qsvqww

Notice in the credits that Mel Brooks was a big creator of the show. The co-writer Buck Henry was also Jewish. He was born Henry Zuckerman to father Paul Steinberg Zuckerman, an Air Force brigadier general and stockbroker.  

I'm sure the writers got a laugh at facts that the TV audience was oblivious to some plays on religion that the writers worked in. 

Don Adams played Maxwell Smart, "Agent 86." The gematria value of "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים) is 86. "Smart" worked for "Control" which fought against "KAOS," the international organization of evil".  Last but not least, there is the name of the show, "Get Smart."  Get Wisdom, to deal with Choas.