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A Spirit of Fear


“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

God has given us His Holy Spirit. As we read the characteristics of the Spirit that He has given, we find…

• Boldness (Acts 4:31, 4:8-13)

• Faith (Acts 11:24)

• Power (Acts 1:8)

• Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

All of these are the opposite of fear.

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

If God did not give a spirit of fear and we have a spirit of fear, guess who gave it.

• Fear comes from the Enemy.

• Fear always has to do with the future.

• Fear is always based on a lie.

• Fear is contrary to those gifts and fruit the Holy Spirit gives.

At present, we are seeing thousands of Christians giving in to fear. These thousands are generating more thousands. They are believing the lie of the Enemy. The problems we are facing, even if they are catastrophic, are no reason to become immobilized with fear. It is future. Jesus said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that  you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:31-34).

We have our job. Seek first His kingdom and do not worry about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Please do not participate in tomorrow’s panic.


This post coordinates with today's reading in the Same Page Summer Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.

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