Fear Not!

Given November 2008 

“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.

Timothy is telling us here of another promise of God; that we don’t have to be afraid. Now wait, what about, “the fear of God”, (Ecclesiastes 12:13 and others). That kind of fear means reverence, honor, awe; not being afraid of God. Timothy is telling us that God has not given us the “spirit of fear”. Do you know anybody who is afraid of everything? Someone who sees the negative side of every situation? Someone who rarely steps out in faith because they’re afraid of what might happen? Is that you? That’s the spirit of fear and God didn’t give us that. You know where that comes from!

But God did promise us another Spirit, (notice the capital “S”). We have inside us the Holy Spirit of God, “…how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13”. That Spirit is the Spirit of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND, (good judgment). That Spirit gives us power over the spirit of fear. That Spirit gives us love which overcomes the spirit of “what if”. That Spirit gives us a sound mind to make good choices, see right from wrong, have insight into situations, and discipline ourselves to do the right thing.

But all this doesn’t just come on us when we get saved. The Spirit of God within us needs developing just like our muscles. We have God’s Spirit in us, (God promised), but we have to exercise It to the point where our Godly Spirit takes over that fleshly spirit that we were born with. We have the Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind but we must use it. When we do, It will become stronger and stronger to the point where that spirit of fear won’t even raise it’s ugly head! God promised!