The Right Spirit

"For God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, but of power, and of love, and of wise discretion." (2 Timothy 1:7)

How true! If we do have an overly timid spirit, we should ask ourselves, "Who is THAT from?" I think we all know the answer! In this context Paul was speaking about partaking in the trials of sharing the saving Gospel (Good News), of Yeshua and God's Kingdom. As Paul records, there were many perils in doing so. The Greek word "deilias" does not mean normal fear even though it is often translated as that in many Bibles. Deilias is actually better translated as "cowardice".

Although cowardice is difficult to define outside of specific social contexts, it is generally held to be "ignoble fear in the face of danger or pain". When we trust in our Heavenly Father we can ask and expect to receive that power, love and wise discretion to complete the preaching of the Gospel. A spirit of cowardice by contrast is what the enemy gives us in order to thwart that goal. See, it is by the preaching, hearing and receiving of the Good News that people are saved. Yeshua is quoted in John 10:10 as saying that Satan only comes to kill, steal and destroy. Satan puts this sort of ignoble fear in our hearts to silence the telling of God's wonderful plan of salvation. No message=no hope. Are we going to let him get away with that? Absolutely not! Fear of man is never a good thing. Jesus said not to fear those who can destroy the body which includes those who oppose the Kingdom word.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, giver of all good things, it is by You that we live and move and breathe. We are Your offspring. Give us a bold spirit to preach the same saving Gospel as Your Son and the apostles. Give us that power, love and a keen mind to accomplish all that You would have us to do for Your Kingdom. In Yeshua's way, religion and teachings we pray...Amen.