The Two Spirits, part 2

An old hymn by Lewis E. Jones says,

There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb.

Power. Men crave it. Some work hard it, some steal, some lie, some kill for it. Many men and women will sell their souls to achieve it.

Yet it's something the believer already has.

Paul tells his beloved friend Timothy that there are two "spirits" which seek to control the child of God. In 2 Timothy 1:7, he states,

For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness...

"Do not be controlled by fear," he tells his protege. "You don't have to fear. You have Jesus. Fear is NOT the spirit that God gave you."

The spirit God DOES give us is a three-fold spirit, much like God is a three-fold God.

Verse 7b -

...but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

Power. That's the first aspect of this spirit or attitude. The Greek word is dunamis, from which we get the word dynamite.

You, like Timothy,  have a spirit of power. Of ability. Of boldness. Of confidence. This power doesn’t come from you. It’s not your ability. You have access INTO this power. You can tap into the power of the one who created the universe and the one who saved you from all your sins.

It’s this spirit of power and boldness that helps you overcome the fear. Overcome timidity. When God asks you to step out in faith, you can do that because you have God’s power. That power gives you a boldness and confidence that He will never leave you. He’s got your back.

You don’t have to fear the devil, fear what others will say, fear whether you’ll be able to sustain yourself and survive. Because you have God’s power. As God’s child, you have access. Access to His throne.

It’s this confidence in our position as God’s child that gives us the power to do whatever God has asked us to do.

That’s what enabled Paul to endure the many things he endured during his ministry. He preached to the greatest minds of the 1st century on Mars Hill. He gave defense before Nero himself, although that account is not recorded in the Scriptures. How could a man experience so much, yet handle it with such composure? How could he say “I know how to be content whether I’m abased or whether I abound”? Because he had the spirit of power.

You have it as well. You may not have tapped into it. God empowers you to step out in faith when He calls you. He empowers you to stand for your faith against those who oppose you. He empowers you to endure suffering and hardship, because you know He is greater than the tribulation you’ll face.

Next week, we'll take a look at the spirit of love. Be of good cheer, friends. God loves you very much.

By His Grace,

Adam