A spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
Paul's reminder to a younger pastor who was getting timid. What the Spirit actually gives.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Fear' here is timidity — the urge to shrink back.
- 02Power is the opposite of paralysis.
- 03Love is the opposite of self-protection.
- 04A sound mind is the opposite of panic.
Read along.
'For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.'
Paul is writing to Timothy, a younger pastor who's getting scared of his calling. The opposition is real. The pressure is mounting. Timothy is tempted to shrink back.
Paul reminds him what the Spirit actually gives. Not timidity. Three things instead.
Power — the ability to do what God's called you to. Love — the motive that keeps you doing it. Self-control, or a sound mind — the clarity that keeps panic from making your decisions.
If you're feeling small today, ask the Spirit for what he's already promised. Power. Love. A sound mind. You're not stuck with the timid version of yourself.