2 Timothy 1:7 - Holy Spirit Power, Love and Self-Control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) For the Spirit God gave
us does not make us timid, but gives us power,
love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7 (CEV) God's Spirit doesn't
make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us
power, love, and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7 (ERV) The Spirit God gave us
does not make us afraid. His Spirit is a source
of power and love and self-control.
INTRODUCTION
God does not give a spirit of fear, that
is, timidity or cowardice; rather God provides:
Power -- We do not need to have
naturally powerful personalities. God gives strength
of character and confidence that wins us
respect when we face opposition as we speak, preach,
and live the truth. God supernaturally replaces
any timidity on the servant's part with
boldness.
Love -- Accompanying the power to
speak the truth must be love for the listeners,
believers and nonbelievers alike. Love separates
Christians from the heathen world around them. Jesus
promised, "By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another" (John
13:35 NKJV).
Self-discipline -- This can also be
translated "self-control" or "sound mind." In order to
lead others, the true minister must have control
over himself. To put it another way, a good
leader must have a cool head. Self-discipline and
self-control sound like self-effort. But Paul explained
them as divinely bestowed on his servants,
resulting in soundness of mind.
All of these qualities (boldness, power,
love, and self-control) are gifts of the Spirit,
not just natural tendencies. They function best
in harmony. Boldness and power are tempered by
love and self-control. Under the pressures of
leadership, people tend to gravitate toward a desire for
power and boldness as the most effective tools for
success. But used alone, these qualities are
self-defeating. The inclusion of love and self-control
clearly indicates that a leader's effectiveness
comes from God's Spirit. We may be impressed by a
leader who exhibits boldness and power, but without
love or self-control, such a leader is little
more than a bully.
The expression a spirit of timidity is
probably another way of saying "a timid disposition,"
which Timothy probably had by nature. But the Holy
Spirit has given believers power (Acts 1:8), love
(Rom 5:5), and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Thus,
to have a spirit with these qualities is to
have a human spirit that has been regenerated by
the the Holy Spirit. (Life Application
Commentary)
COMMENTARY PEARL
Dont Let the Fear of Failure Hold You Back
Just three months after Kay and I got
married, I had a total physical and mental breakdown
and ended up in the hospital. I was filled with
the fear of failure, and I thought my life was
over - though I was just 21 years old. The
psychiatrist at the hospital told me that I needed to
take some time off.
So we went to my parents home in
northern California, where I continued to feel like a
total failure. I thought I couldnt handle
anything. Everything made me upset and nervous.
Then one night I had a dream that -
because of all the tension from my feelings of
failure - felt evil. I woke up in a cold sweat. As I
was lying there in bed, breathing fast, I heard
the phone ring. My mom picked it up. The guy on
the phone said, Is this the house where Rick
Warren is? Could I talk to him?
When I picked up the phone, the man said,
Rick, you don't know me. We've never met. How I
got this number doesn't really matter. But I
live in San Diego, and God told me to call you
and give you this verse: God did not give us
a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of
power and love and self-control [2 Timothy 1:7
NCV]. And, Rick, you have a right in Jesus Christ
to a sound mind. And then he hung up.
You don't think God uses people like
that? Well, he does. It could have been an angel,
but it didn't have to be. Maybe God just said to
a man: Call that guy. And, in obedience,
he did.
I held on to that verse during that year
of depression when I thought I was such a
failure, even though my life had barely even started.
But God wasnt done with me, and hes done
many things in my life since then.
God is not done with you either. It
doesnt matter what you've been through. I'm sorry
for all the pain you may have experienced, but
you cannot let fear hold you back. Push yourself
to trust God in everything you do. Then live in
faith and love. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
Dont Let Fear Keep You from Deepening
Friendships
When were full of fear and anxiety, we
dont get close to others. We back off from the
people around us. Were afraid of being rejected,
manipulated, vulnerable, hurt, or used. All of these
fears cause us to disconnect in life.
This fear is as old as humanity. When
Adam and Eve sinned, and God came looking for
them, Adam said, I was afraid and I hid.
People have been doing that since. Were afraid,
so we hide. We hide our true selves.
We dont let people know what were
really like. We dont let them see inside of us.
Why? Because if we let people know what were
like and they dont like it, were up a creek
without a paddle. Tough luck. Why am I afraid to
tell you who I am? Because if I tell you who I am
but you dont like me, then I have to deal
with rejection and disappointment. So we wear
masks and we pretend.
Fear does three terrible things to
relationships.
Our fears make us defensive.
Were afraid to reveal ourselves, so we defend
ourselves. When people point out our weaknesses, we
retaliate and shift into defense mode.
Our fears keep us distant. We
dont let people get close to us. We want to
withdraw, pull back. We want to hide our emotions. We
dont want to be open and honest. We become
defensive and distant.
Our fears make us demanding.
Whenever were insecure, and the more insecure we
are, the more we try to control. So we try to
have the last word in a relationship. We try to
dominate, control. Its always a symptom of fear and
insecurity.
Where can you get the confidence and
courage of taking the first step in connecting with
someone, to go into a deeper intimacy?
You get it from Gods Spirit in your
life. Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, For the
Holy Spirit, Gods gift, does not want you to
be afraid of people but to be wise and strong
[in other words, courageous], and to love them
and enjoy being with them (TLB).
How do you know when youre filled with
Gods Spirit? Youre more courageous in your
relationships. You love people. You enjoy being with them.
Youre not afraid of them because Gods Spirit is
in your life. The Bible says that God is
love and Love casts out all fear. The more
of God you have in your life, the less fear
youre going to have in your life.
So the starting point in connecting with
anybody is to pause, pray, and say, God, give me
the courage to take the first step. You can
do that now with a person you want to connect
with. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
ILLUSTRATION
Lessons in Risk Taking
Our family has had many kinds of pets,
and one of the most interesting was a turtle. He
lived in an aquarium with nice rocks that he could
climb. He ate live fish (which was disturbing to
watch) and did not appreciate being handled. If
someone picked him up, he would disappear inside his
shell.
After Rick read an article warning that
such turtles carry salmonella, he decided the
turtle had to go. The children and I took a drive
out to the coast and stopped in at a ranch
reputed to welcome retired horses. We had seen a
large pond with rushes and wild birds (none big
enough to carry off a turtle), and we asked if we
could release our turtle there. The gentleman in
charge said yes.
We tearfully trekked down the hill to the
pond and set the turtle on the bank. He didn't
move. He had retreated so deeply into his shell,
even his nose didn't stick out. We waited,
hoping. We tried to reason with him: "Look at that
beautiful pond. Look at all those rushes and that log
out there. There's probably a girl turtle
waiting for you. You can have little turtlettes."
Finally he peered out, and it was time
for us to go. Still a little sad, we headed back
up the trail.
Probably all of us have retreated like
the turtle at times, too afraid to venture out
of the safe shells we've built around
ourselves. But if we don't take the risk and stick our
necks out, we might miss the wonderful things God
has planned for us.
The apostle Paul's words, originally
written to his protg Timothy, can encourage all
of us: God has not given us a spirit of
timidity. No matter how afraid we feel, the truth is
that God has given us His Holy Spirit, and fear
has no part of Him! Next time you feel like a
turtle, playing it safe behind the walls of
protection you've erected, remember that God's Spirit
is in you, giving you power, love, and
self-discipline.
Dear God, so often I feel like a turtle,
retreating into my shell because it's safe. But making
safety my first priority won't lead to growth. I
don't want to miss the opportunities around me
because I'm too afraid to take a risk. You have
given me a spirit of courage. Please help me to
trust You, to trust Your love for me and Your good
plans for my life. Help me to more forward in
courage. [Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Every time I see this verse, I read it
twice. Usually Im able to absorb the wisdom and
conduct my life accordingly. But sometimes its
like the mirror mentioned in James 1:23"24, and
I forget this truth as soon as I step away.
How I wish these precious words stayed with me
longer.
I wasnt always afraid, but during my
teens, I learned life can be complex and unfair -
and ugly. Im not alone. Many of us bear
wounds that leave us vulnerable and anxious at
times. Now, when fear and shame engulf my spirit
and I sink beneath the weight of those emotions,
I cry out in faith for rescue. Jesus yanks me
free from the darkness entangling me.
How can these transgressions - most of
which I was a victim to - have such power over me,
when I know Im not only saved, Im chosen,
and Im not only chosen, Im do you see
where Im going? Im redeemed, called by name
(Isaiah 43:1). Im a child of God (John 1:12), a
friend of Jesus (John 15:15), a new creation (2
Corinthians 5:17), and a citizen of heaven (Philippians
3:20).
My favorite identity tag is found in
Ephesians 2:10. I prefer the New Living Translation
for this verse: For we are Gods
masterpiece
Beauty is often only achieved and
appreciated through pain. Love can be witnessed in
suffering. Courage is won in faith. I am loving,
beautiful, and brave. Im His masterpiece. by Heidi
Gaul
Faith Step: Divide a sheet of paper into
two columns. On one side, list fears youve
overcome. On the other, note your current fears and
beneath each one, write ways Jesus has armed you to
face it. [Mornings With Jesus 2020 Devotional by
Guideposts and Zondervan]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
2 Timothy 1:7 - Holy Spirit Power, Love and
Self-Control.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160716-1707.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
