When Fear Comes Knocking
A Spirit of Fear

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 1:3-10

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

The Apostle Paul mentored the young pastor Timothy.  The apostle saw some things in young Timothy’s life that were being less than effective because of fear.  Fear has kept all of us, at some point in our lives, from doing things that we feel we should do or accomplish.

The reminder that our scripture gives us is that any spirit of fear is not from God.  Our Father in heaven does not give anyone a spirit of fear.  He does give, to all His children, a Spirit of power, love and self-discipline.  However, just because God gives someone His Spirit doesn’t mean that person will make full use of their God-given gift.

The title of this series is “Fearless.”  Can anyone really live fearlessly in this life?  Christ-followers have God’s Spirit that can defeat all feelings of fear that start to creep into their minds, but they must claim God’s Spirit that is theirs.  In other words, God’s Spirit will encourage and help us, but not force us to live above our fears!

If you struggle with fear and feel that you allow fear to assume residence in your life, go back over this week’s devotionals.  Demand of yourself to take advantage of the wonderful Spirit of power, love and self-discipline that is yours in Christ!

Father, I will not live in fear.  I will discipline my thoughts and claim my victory over all worries and anxiety.  In Jesus’s name, amen.