How The Holy Spirit Isand Isntlike Wind
In what ways is the Holy Spirit like those windstormsand in what ways is it not like that?
For one thing, as Jesus pointed out to Nicodemus, the Holy Spirit is invisible like the wind. You can see its results, but you cant see the air itself . You might even say its kind of a play on words, because the Greek word translated Spirit also means wind, as it says in the notes of the NKJV Study Bible.
So the Holy Spirit is like the wind, in that it is invisible and it is powerful. But now lets look at what makes the Holy Spirit different from the raging, uncontrolled, destructive power of a tornado.
God Gave Us A Spirit Of Power Love And Sound Mind
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God created you to be Powerful, Loving and of Sound mind. The total opposite of fearful. Self-deprecating. Anxious and insecure. Thinking you can’t do something is a lie, an illusion designed to keep you from seeing what you’re really capable of. It can be very frustrating! Learn how to stop wrestling with insecurity and anxiety to be the woman God created you to be. Read more or PIN for later!
“You’re not listening to me!
No, you dont understand.
Can you put yourself in my shoes for just three seconds?!
Ah! Never mind! I dont even know why I try explaining to you, its useless!
These are the things I find myself saying to my husband over and over again. As he fumbles and bumbles and tries to understand my range of complex emotions stemming from childhood wounds to the scars from our relationship to our present situation. He doesnt know what to say and I know it. He doesnt understand and I see it. He feels helpless to fix it. While there are practical things he could do to address the issues we keep fighting about, he will never fix my deep-seeded feeling that at the end of the day, Im just not enough.
Youre a highly intelligent girl who wasted her time in school and didnt learn enough.
Youre a college dropout turned single-mom who ruined her life in promiscuity.
You dont work well for others but you keep failing as an entrepreneur.
I know Im so sorry Id say.
What Does It Mean To Have A Sound Mind
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
In moments of stress, pressure, or fear or when youre so exhausted you cant think straight, have you ever been tempted to say, Dear God, what is wrong with me? I feel like Im losing my mind?
If youve ever felt this way before or if youre tempted to think like this right now, let me assure you: Youre not going crazy! Gods Word declares that you have been given a sound mind that works even in the craziest and most difficult situations!
Let me give you an example from the Bible. When Paul wrote the book of Second Timothy, it was a very difficult time for the Early Church. Due to Neros insanity, he was persecuting believers everywhere and his methods of persecution were gruesome and cruel. At that time, Timothy was the pastor of the church of Ephesus. He knew that Neros secret police would take special pleasure in killing him in some barbaric way if they ever got their hands on him.
As Timothy considered the threat against his life, a spirit of fear tried to grab hold of him. Thats why Paul told Timothy in Second Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
The word sophroneo in Second Timothy 1:7 could be translated:
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God Has Not Given Us The Spirit Of Fear
In times of trouble, God says, Be still , and know that I am God . To paraphrase, Psalm 46:10 is saying, Take time to be quiet and remember who I am. To remind yourself that the character and attributes of God are similar to fastening your seatbelt, spiritually speaking. The turbulence may continue, but you are still and secure.
It is only through Scripture, applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, that we receive the grace to trust God in everything. I want you to find rest from the weariness of worry and the plagues of doubt and fear. I want us to be a distinctive people people who step out in faith even when the future is fuzzy, people whose lives reflect a quiet peace and calm assurance because we have cultivated perfect trust in God .
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Kristi Walker has been a missionary in Berlin, Germany for over 15 years working with an international church as the Director of Student Ministries. She is the author of two books –Disappointment: A Subtle Path Away from Christ and Convinced. Applying Biblical Principles to Lifes Choices.
Is Your Mind Sound
2 Timothy 1:6-7 has an incredible challenge for those who find a calling to do something greater, and to move beyond themselves:
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
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Pentecost Reminds Us That Wind Can Represent The Power Of The Holy Spirit It Is Only Through The Spirit That We Can Develop Godly Love And A Sound Mind
On the Day of Pentecost after Jesus Christs death and resurrection, the disciples were all together. Suddenly great miracles began to get peoples attention and to mark the beginning of the New Testament Church.
The first of those miracles was a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind . If you were thinking about deadly and devastating tornadoes and other windstorms, you probably wouldnt look forward to hearing such a sound. However, there is a biblical connection between the power of the wind and the power of Gods Holy Spirit given on the Day of Pentecost. But, as well see, Gods power is always controlled by love and a sound mind.
Power Love And A Sound Mind
Its important to know that the type of fear that is referenced in this scripture is not the same fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom. The fear in this verse comes from the Greek word ekphobos which means greatly terrified. This type of fear does not come from God.
He gives us a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND.
While some versions say self-control or self-discipline, one would be to have a sound mind to have the other two. Sound mind comes from a combination of the greek words sodzo and phroneo. It means a mind that has been delivered or rescued. So powerful. And so re-assuring that God has given us what we need to survive and thrive in the Kingdom, while here on this earth.
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Today’s Christian Devotion 18
I thank you heavenly father for giving me a spirit of boldness. Thank you for giving me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. I yield myself to you. I yield my heart, my mind and my whole being to you. Have your way in me and lead me into victory, in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
As a new week starts today, I pray to you, my father above, that you influence all my decisions I will make this new week. You’re my pillar of support and I want you to support me throughout the day, throughout the week, by giving me the capacity to think and act wisely, in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
God, I need you to back all my actions and decisions that surround me this week. Let positivity follow me, oh lord as I go out this new week, allow me the wisdom to avoid any negative occurrence in my time of need. I thank you Lord for gracing me with your presence, in Jesus mighty name, amen. Rejoice for Jesus loves you.
Good morning, and have a great new week.
Bible Commentary For 2 Timothy : 7
Wesley’s Notes for 2 Timothy 1:7
1:7 And let nothing discourage thee, for God hath not given us – That is, the spirit which God hath given us Christians, is not the spirit of fear – Or cowardice. But of power – Banishing fear. And love and sobriety – These animate us in our duties to God, our brethren, and ourselves. Power and sobriety are two good extremes. Love is between, the tie and temperament of both preventing the two bad extremes of fearfulness and rashness. More is said concerning power, #1Tim 1:8| concerning love, #2Tim 2:14|, & c. concerning sobriety, #2Tim 3:1|, & c.
People’s Bible Notes for 2 Timothy 1:7
2Ti 1:7 God hath not given us the spirit of fear. When the gifts of the Spirit were bestowed at the laying on of my hands, not a spirit of cowardice, but of power, miraculous power, “and of love”, and of a sound mind, of divine wisdom, was imparted.
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Not Ashamed Of The Gospel
8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. 12For this reason I also suffer these things nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
Say Yes To Power Love And A Sound Mind
2 AM, the baby is crying to be fed. Yes.6 AM, the alarm goes off to get up and go to work. Yes.2 PM, the boss requires a report at the last minute. Yes.6 PM, the family wants dinner. Yes.8 PM, the friend needs you to listen to her. Yes.10 PM, the husband wants you to be a wife. Yes.
Yes. We say it all the time to our family, to our friends, to our employers. But how often do we say yes to God?
Yes . . . to humility, when with all our being we want to be recognized for our work, talents, and gifts.Yes . . . to joy when we are grieving.Yes . . . to strength when we are so exhausted we can barely put one foot in front of the other.Yes . . . to peace when there is chaos in our family, in our churches, in our world.Yes . . . to love when we have been hurt and wounded.Yes . . . to hope when all seems to be lost.
Saying yes to completing a task can be done in my own strength, but usually not with a song in my heart. Saying yes to being who God called me to be can only really be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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What Exactly Does A Sound Mind Look Like
My simple answer: one that has gratitude, and one that surrenders to Gods will for us. A sound mind doesnt concern himself/herself with that of this Earth, and instead regains focus on what is important: carrying out His will for our lives.
I wont deny it, surrender is HARD! It requires trust that God will provide what He wants to provide for us. His will. His dreams for us. Not our selfish dreams which are so often ruled by idolizing famous folks on social media or Netflix, or what we grew up with believing was the most important thing
In his book, The Speed of Trust, Stephen Covey Jr. describes a model called The Five Waves of Trust. At the center of concentric waves moving outward, is Self-Trust, which he says, enables us to establish and sustain trust at all levels. The next wave is Relationship Trust, followed by Organizational Trust, Market Trust, and finally Societal Trust. To build trust with others, we need to have a deep trust in who we are and what we are capable of bringing to the world through Gods vision & will.
If we have established high trust starting with Gods work through ourselves at the very center, then we create a powerful platform for sustainable personal and professional growth.
In the smallest everyday actions, by being accountable to God and keeping our word, we build our self-trust.
Spirit Of Power Love And Sound Mind
ByNikola Dimitrov | Submitted On July 29, 2008
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
The spirit the Lord has given us is not a spirit of fear. It’s a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. Let’s see the context in which this verse is said:
“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” 2 Timothy 1:6-9
We can see the Lord saving and calling every one of us with a holy calling, according to His own purpose and grace, even before the foundation of the world . We can also see that He has placed gifts on the inside of us, which we must stir . That’s God’s image for us. But obviously, there is an opposition there are spirits of fear, shame, blockages, obstructions, afflictions, etc .
So, the Lord has given us a spirit. This Spirit gives us the ability to rise above the image of the devil. It makes us more than conquerors in 3 specific areas which cover the whole spectrum of our life.
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Fear Of Life Circumstances
But now, this is what the Lord says . . . Do not fear, for I have redeemed you I have summoned you by name you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior .
Gods Spirit Of Power Love And Sound Mind
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
God gives us the power to do what He asks us to do. Paul also says that the gift of the Spirit brings power for us to control our minds, to control our thoughts and actions. This gift of God provides the strength of character that we need. When we do Gods work such as, proclaiming His Word or representing His kingdom, we have all Gods power that supports us and thus, we are safe in His hands.In the church, the leader serves his people. In church or outside, those who have authority must use it with love they must love God and His people. God has given us His Spirit, the power of love. It may be difficult for us to love like this but because the gift of God is love, we love as God intends us to love.The world thinks that power means how much we can control others. However, Jesus power is expressed through how much we love and serve others. When God gave all things to Jesus hands on the night before the cross, Jesus washed his disciples feet. God has given us a sound mind, which means a calm, self-controlled mind. This is in contrast to what we experience when panic and confusion rushes in a fearful situation.
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What God Tells About Fear In The Bible
As you search through the pages of Scripture you will often find God encouraging his people to fear not or dont be afraid. It has been estimated that there are 365 fear nots in the Bible one for each day of the year. This lets you and I know that God understands our human character and our human emotions. Notice some of the fear nots mentioned in the Bible:
So do not fear, for I am with you do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand .
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear I will help you .
The Lord is my light and my salvationwhom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my lifeof whom shall I be afraid? .
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats do not be frightened .
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Fathers care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So dont be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows .
