The Spirit of Peace, Love & A Sound Mind

by Pastor Jacob Doran,
The Church of God in Flathead Valley (MT)

I was reading this morning, in II Timothy, in the first chapter, and came across this familiar passage that has long been a blessing to me. I thought I would share it with all of you, as well.

II Timothy 1:7
(7) For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I love this verse, because it is empowering.

Sometimes, we find ourselves dreading, worrying, feeling powerless and occasionally even unloving toward another, not to mention in a state of mind that is far from sound. When we are upset, whether we're worrying, depressed or angry, we do not think rationally. We cannot make decisions in such a state or even trust ourselves to act and react appropriately (ie. as the Lord would have us to, at that moment or in that situation).

Immediately, upon recognizing that we have succumbed to such a spirit, we must claim the promises of God in Christ Jesus, who has NOT given us a spirit of weakness, fear, bitterness or defeatism. Such feelings are NOT of God, and we must resist those feelings which the enemy of our souls would use to oppress us.

We must CLAIM by faith the Spirit of POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND. That Spirit is ours by right. That Spirit stands at the ready, every hour, to assist us in living a spiritually victorious life, but the enemy--a liar from the beginning and the prince of deception--wants to convince us otherwise.

Whose report will YOU believe? Will you believe the defeatist spirit, which is obviously not of God, or the Spirit that comes from God and stands ready to empower you. We have not been given the spirit of fear or bondage but the Spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4)

Those are promises that you can take to the bank.