What kind of Spirit has God Given Us?


 ”for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.“ ‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

  • l have been given a spirit of power, love, and self-control 

  • I love how the ESV version says, “for God gave us”.  Power, love, and self-control are already ours! They have been given. Peter confirms in 2 Peter 1:3, that God has given us “all things that pertain to life and godliness “. We just need to learn how to access them. 

  • So to start, I looked at some definitions for the word “power”. It can refer to, “ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something”. Or, “to supply with electricity or other means of power”. Our power source is God, but we need to be “plugged in” per se, in order to receive His power. Like, the iron has to be plugged in in order to heat up, or a toaster needs electricity if you’re going to have toast, you get the idea🙂 So, in order to access this power that has been given to us, we need to stay plugged in to God. How do we do this? By spending time with Him; by prayer, reading and meditating on the Scriptures. When we do this we receive the strength, encouragement, and power we need to accomplish whatever He has for us that day. 

  • Next, we have been given love. The ability to put others needs ahead of our own. To love as Jesus loved.  As He said in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Not always easy, but He has given us the ability:)

  • Then there is self-control. I like the KJV of this verse because it says “a sound mind”! I like that. A sound mind. Not plagued by fear and worries. One that doesn't listen to the lies of satan but trusts in the promises of God.  That's what I want. To take hold of God's truth, like this one, found in Deuteronomy 31:8(ESV) "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Or this one from Isaiah 41:10(ESV) “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

  • So yes, we have been given a Spirit of “power, love and self-control”, but this verse also tells us what we haven’t been given. We haven’t been given fear! Fear is of the devil! Fear keeps us from sharing Jesus. Keeps us from speaking truth. Keeps us believing the lies that we aren’t good enough, will never measure up; that we will never change. Fear keeps us from believing we are forgiven. God tells us, apparently in 365 verses, NOT to be afraid! The next time you feel afraid, remember 2 Timothy 1:7,  “for God gave us a spirit NOT of fear BUT of power and love and self-control!”

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