Verse of the Day

February 16, 2016

Scripture

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - II Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Devotion

The Apostle Paul felt it was necessary to encourage Timothy to utilize the spiritual gift he had been given. He said, 'Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership' (I Timothy 4:14) and he said, 'I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands' (II Timothy 1:6). 

Why would Paul feel the need to encourage Timothy in this way?

Whenever a person puts the gifts of the Holy Spirit into action the Kingdom of God is advanced and enhanced. As a result, opposition from the enemy may arise. There is temptation, then, to refrain from using the gifts in order to avoid the opposition. From Paul's point of view, however, yielding to the opposition is unacceptable. In our verse for today he gives four reasons for this.

First, the spirit we have been given is not a spirit of fear. Since the spirit we have been given is the Holy Spirit, the point is well taken. The Holy Spirit has no 'gift of fear.' If a person experiences fear when faced with opposition, it comes from self or Satan, not the Holy Spirit. 

Second, the spirit we have been given is a spirit of power. The Holy Spirit enables us to utilize our gifts. This enablement is a powerful spiritual force working in us in order to help us advance and enhance the Kingdom of God. The whole point of it being given is to help us resist opposition, not to shrink back from it.

Third, the spirit we have been given is a spirit of love. The Holy Spirit fills us with love for the people to which we minister. This love keeps us from shrinking back as well. It impels us to use our gifts so that people will be helped. 

Finally, the spirit we have been given is a spirit of a sound mind. When the opposition comes we don't yield to it because we understand what is happening. We act appropriately under the circumstances in order to withstand and overcome the opposition. 

Don't shrink back in fear. Rather, step forward with all the power, love, and soundness of mind you have been given.