“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV)
We use this scripture a lot! We remind ourselves of the Spirit of God on the inside of us and what we have because we have the Holy Spirit. But let's look just a little deeper into this scripture for a minute.
Paul was writing Timothy to encourage him. Timothy was a young Pastor and needed encouragement. (Every Pastor needs encouragement...AND every Believer needs encouragement, right?!) Look at the verses before verse 7.
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:5–7, NLT)
Paul commends Timothy's genuine faith and his heritage of faith. He confirms that Timothy's faith is strong! (We know from verse seven why Timothy's faith is strong. Because the Spirit of God living in us gives us power!)
Then Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God that is in him. I believe that he is specifically referring to the gift to lead the body of Christ as a Pastor but we can look at this in a general sense as well. There are times that we must stir up the gift of God - the Holy Spirit - within us and remind ourselves of what He brings into our lives.
Let's face it. There are times where we are facing things that are discouraging and disheartening and we need some encouragement and reminding to stir ourselves up. We need some instruction and provoking to get up, stand up and stir ourselves up!
Then Paul tells Timothy what God did not give us,...FEAR. God has not given us fear in any shape of form. Fear comes from one place, the spirit of fear, the devil. And God does not give us fear. God gives us a spirit that counters the spirit of fear. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of power. A spirit of love and a spirit of a sound mind and self discipline.
Greater is He, the Holy Spirit in us than the fear that is coming against us! We have the spirit of power and love! We have a sound mind because we have the mind of Christ! We win because God is with us and in us.
We must stir ourselves up and remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit is in us. We must stand up against the spirit of fear and say NO! No fear here! Get behind me Satan! You are a loser and you are defeated!
Say this: I am stirring myself up because my faith is strong. I remind myself that the Holy Spirit is God's gift to me and I have power, love and a sound mind! Fear has no control over me.
Pray this: "Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are in me and with me. You have given me the Holy Spirit who brings me power, love and a sound mind. I submit to You today and receive the grace and strength to do all that You need me to do. Speak through me and move in me to reach others with a strong word of faith and encouragement, in Jesus Name!"
We use this scripture a lot! We remind ourselves of the Spirit of God on the inside of us and what we have because we have the Holy Spirit. But let's look just a little deeper into this scripture for a minute.
Paul was writing Timothy to encourage him. Timothy was a young Pastor and needed encouragement. (Every Pastor needs encouragement...AND every Believer needs encouragement, right?!) Look at the verses before verse 7.
“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:5–7, NLT)
Paul commends Timothy's genuine faith and his heritage of faith. He confirms that Timothy's faith is strong! (We know from verse seven why Timothy's faith is strong. Because the Spirit of God living in us gives us power!)
Then Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift of God that is in him. I believe that he is specifically referring to the gift to lead the body of Christ as a Pastor but we can look at this in a general sense as well. There are times that we must stir up the gift of God - the Holy Spirit - within us and remind ourselves of what He brings into our lives.
Let's face it. There are times where we are facing things that are discouraging and disheartening and we need some encouragement and reminding to stir ourselves up. We need some instruction and provoking to get up, stand up and stir ourselves up!
Then Paul tells Timothy what God did not give us,...FEAR. God has not given us fear in any shape of form. Fear comes from one place, the spirit of fear, the devil. And God does not give us fear. God gives us a spirit that counters the spirit of fear. The Holy Spirit is a spirit of power. A spirit of love and a spirit of a sound mind and self discipline.
Greater is He, the Holy Spirit in us than the fear that is coming against us! We have the spirit of power and love! We have a sound mind because we have the mind of Christ! We win because God is with us and in us.
We must stir ourselves up and remind ourselves that the Holy Spirit is in us. We must stand up against the spirit of fear and say NO! No fear here! Get behind me Satan! You are a loser and you are defeated!
Say this: I am stirring myself up because my faith is strong. I remind myself that the Holy Spirit is God's gift to me and I have power, love and a sound mind! Fear has no control over me.
Pray this: "Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are in me and with me. You have given me the Holy Spirit who brings me power, love and a sound mind. I submit to You today and receive the grace and strength to do all that You need me to do. Speak through me and move in me to reach others with a strong word of faith and encouragement, in Jesus Name!"
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