What Spirit Is In You?

 "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

As I was praying yesterday, I came across this verse I have in my prayer list. I started thinking about this verse and something occurred to me. 

Now I know some of you will be like "duh", or "obviously" when you read this, and it's not like I didn't know this before but something just clicked and became real to me about this verse. 

Confession time! One of the things I struggle with the most in life is fear. If I'm not careful, and not walking with the Lord like I should, fear permeates every thing. I'm not just talking about being afraid of the dark, or monsters under the bed and such. Although I do prefer not being in the dark...but who would? :] 

I become afraid of everything from the crazy stuff that's happening in our world, to the unknown of the future, to losing the love and affection of friends or family to someone else. I become afraid of pretty much everything! 

Fear is a very powerful thing. It can turn into other negative emotions such as anger, bitterness and resentment. It can cause an excessive desire for control and the drive to do whatever it takes to keep things the same no matter the cost. Even if it hurts someone else. Fear clouds the mind and prohibits good judgment.

As the verse says, fear is not from God. The spirit of power, love and a sound mind is. That got me thinking. If we have a spirit of fear, that means we don't have a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Fear makes us feel like we need more power, people to give us more love and it turns into a bad attitude and negative outlook. 

If we have the spirit of fear, we do not have the spirit of power, but we are weak. If we have the spirit of fear, we do not have the spirit of love, but a spirit of anger, bitterness, jealousy, and maybe even hatred. If we have the spirit of fear, we do not have the spirit of a sound mind, but a spirit of doublemindedness, bad judgment, and a mind that creates evil thoughts towards each other. 

What does the Bible have to say about what we become when we are controlled by fear?

Strength and power comes from God. We of ourselves will fail if we try with our own strength or power.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."     Matthew 6:13

"Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones, are vexed."     Psalm 6:2

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."     2 Corinthians 12:9

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."     Philippians 4:13

Bitterness is a terrible thing. It destroys you and those around you. 

"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:   And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."     Ephesians 4: 31-32

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:   Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"     Hebrews 12:14-15

The Bible has something to say about not having a sound mind as well.

"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."     James 1:8

"But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.   O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?"     Romans 7:23-24

How do we overcome this insanity that happens when we are controlled by fear? The Bible has the answers for that too! 

There is a way that we can regain our strength and the power of God.

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."     Isaiah 40:31

Fear is very strong, but praise the Lord, love is stronger! God can help us overcome our spirit of fear and renew his spirit of love within us!

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."     1 John 4:18

God also gives us instructions for getting rid of a double mind.

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners: and purify your hearts, ye double minded."     James 4:8

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word."     Psalm 119:9

The best way to avoid getting trapped in this mindset of fear is by praying and reading God's word every day! 

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."     Matthew 26:41

Time and time again God has had to bring me to that conclusion. Sometimes it's hard to just let go and hand the controls over to God, but it is so worth it! The peace of mind and unity with others is beyond sweet! If I but ask, he will renew the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind within me that I might bring forth the fruit of the spirit for his honor and glory! 

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD."      Isaiah 55:8

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,   Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."     Galatians 5:22-23

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.   Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.   Restore unto me the joy of my salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."     Psalm 51:10:12

"That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;   that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,   May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;   And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.   Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,   Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen."     Ephesians 3:16-21

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

God's Vessel

  God's Vessel by Ruth Navis I am God's precious vessel, He's molding me of clay; To work and serve, and love, and be with Him one day. He gently forms and fashions me to make me what I ought to be, But then someone acts carelessly and breaks this work of clay. All anyone can see are the pieces on the floor; They laugh and poke their fun at me, and walk right out the door. I look to God in my brokenness and for help and mercy cry; I'm all alone, broken pieces of stone that everyone's left behind. I'm broken, bruised, and battered, but no one seems to care; Then God above looks down in love, and shows me He is there. He picks up all the pieces, he takes them one by one; He glues them back together, until His work is done. Now when people look at me, they can see all my scars. They think that they are all my fault, that I've earned them, missed the bar. So they continue to pick on me, because now I'm no longer pretty, I cry out to God helplessly, and hope ...
Read more

72. God Does All Things For Our Good

Deuteronomy 5-7 O that there were such an hear in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, and it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!    Deuteronomy 5:29 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day.    Deuteronomy 6:24 God made it clear, and the children of Israel understood that all the commandments that God had given them were for their good and because God loved them. When there are things that God convicts you of, or rules applicable to you from His word, what is your response? Do you understand that He loves you and wants only the best for you? Or do you choose to think He doesn't know what He's doing and wants to keep you from having fun or enjoying life? The rules and the commandments God gives us and the guidelines and boundaries He puts in place is for our good. Will you choose just to trust and ...
Read more

True repentance?

  Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD.     And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away; intreat for me.    Exodus 8:8, 28 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.      Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. Exodus 9:27-28 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go?      And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for e...
Read more