40 Days Pondering the Fruit of the Spirit
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 20 | SELF-CONTROL
40 Days PONDERING the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Day 20 | SELF-CONTROL
SELF-CONTROL
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (AMP)
FEAR is rampant today. Watch or listen to the news. Read a newspaper. Listen to people talk. People today are fearful… and fear can be contagious.
I remember watching a movie one time and these two people were talking to each other. One says, “I think you have many good and special gifts.” A pure compliment. The other person responds, “The bad stuff is easier to believe.”
FEAR seems much easier for people to gravitate towards than FAITH, which is the opposite.
Perhaps that comes from the old saying, “Don’t get your hopes up!” (To which I think: WHY NOT?)
In our Scripture today, Paul – via the Spirit – tells us that God has NOT given us the Spirit of FEAR.
The NKJV says: “For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I like the Amplified Bible’s expanded verbiage, which explains that we DO have a Spirit from God, but His Spirit brings us love, sound judgment, and personal discipline, resulting in “a calm, well-balanced mind and SELF CONTROL.”
Do you know anyone who seems to be out of control often? Maybe they seem almost controlled by fear or anger or a critical spirit. Those do have a spiritual source, but it is NOT the Spirit of Almighty God. Our God wants us – His children – to NOT be like that and offers us options that are much more positive and productive through the Holy Spirit. Seek them!
Prayer: LORD, forgive me for giving in to fear, even a little bit. I know YOU are not the Source of that but want me to be filled with love, power, and a sound mind which is self-control. Thank You. Amen.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (AMP)
FEAR is rampant today. Watch or listen to the news. Read a newspaper. Listen to people talk. People today are fearful… and fear can be contagious.
I remember watching a movie one time and these two people were talking to each other. One says, “I think you have many good and special gifts.” A pure compliment. The other person responds, “The bad stuff is easier to believe.”
FEAR seems much easier for people to gravitate towards than FAITH, which is the opposite.
Perhaps that comes from the old saying, “Don’t get your hopes up!” (To which I think: WHY NOT?)
In our Scripture today, Paul – via the Spirit – tells us that God has NOT given us the Spirit of FEAR.
The NKJV says: “For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
I like the Amplified Bible’s expanded verbiage, which explains that we DO have a Spirit from God, but His Spirit brings us love, sound judgment, and personal discipline, resulting in “a calm, well-balanced mind and SELF CONTROL.”
Do you know anyone who seems to be out of control often? Maybe they seem almost controlled by fear or anger or a critical spirit. Those do have a spiritual source, but it is NOT the Spirit of Almighty God. Our God wants us – His children – to NOT be like that and offers us options that are much more positive and productive through the Holy Spirit. Seek them!
Prayer: LORD, forgive me for giving in to fear, even a little bit. I know YOU are not the Source of that but want me to be filled with love, power, and a sound mind which is self-control. Thank You. Amen.