2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Let us pray…
Let me tell you a story. One day a man decides to clean his roof gutter. It was filled with leaves and dirt and it was blocking the drainage. So he puts up his ladder, climbs up and start to clear out the dirt from the gutter when suddenly the ladder was shaking and so the man grips tightly to the gutter for support. He is filled with fear as his mind is flooded with thoughts about the ladder giving way, a few seconds later, his feet slips from the ladder and he accidentally pushes the ladder away and he now finds himself hanging with his hands tightly gripped to the gutter. He cries out for help! Help! His fear now escalates, he looks to the side and no one is there to help him so he looks up to the skies and cries out LORD, help! Tulong Lord, Help! When suddenly a voice from heaven declares LET GO! The guy thinks… huh? Let go? This is completely ridiculous! If I let go, I will surely die! Then again, the same voice says LET GO of your fears! I’m with you! What LORD? Let go, where are you? I don't see you, do you even know what I’m going through right now? My hands are hurting, I can’t take it anymore! If I let go, I’m surely going to die. And again, the Lord answers him - Do Not Fear… For I am with you…
And then, in a desperate plea.. In a heightened state of fear. The man cries out: Mommy, help me! Mama asan ka!
Look to your neighbor and say let go of your fears. Let go of your worries.
You know the bible mentions FEAR around 300-400 times BUT it mentions faith/trust/believe 1,000 times. Let that sink in.
Faith overcomes Fear and Fear is there to test our Faith!
You see there are two major types of FEAR in the bible.
Reverential Fear
Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
Proverbs 14:27
"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death."
This type of fear does not call us to be AFRAID of GOD, or TAKOT, Terror fealing of terror but to look to him with deep reverence, respect, and awe toward the power and holiness of God, which leads to wisdom and blessing.
The Problem sometimes is that We try to bring God down to our level. We treat Him like a friend and diminish GOD to a mortal being.
We need to replace that with Awe, say AWE or PAGHANGA. It’s recognizing God’s majesty and power. As A.W. Tozer calls It: astonished reverence in GOD.
Reverential Fear
It is seeing God as the infinite, sovereign, mountain-moving power who created everything, and realizing He is infinitely above us.
So the reverential fear of GOD leads us to worship and surrender. Because we only bow down to a mighty King - who has all power, glory, honor and authority. Did you notice that when you worship the LORD, when you’re whole being just revers and honors God, you are suddenly brought into a place of peace and surrender right. That’s the feeling of being in the security and covering of the LORD. Fear of the LORD does that.
The reverential fear of GOD leads us to worship and surrender
Psalm 111:10
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding."
The Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom - Wisdom in knowing that we take refuge in the LORD, It’s recognizing that the all-powerful God is for you! He loves you, He has a covenant with you, and He sent Jesus to pay the price for you. Therefore, you delight to fear His name (Nehemiah 1:11). It is a joyful, secure fear.
God delightfully grants wisdom to the humble. He guides their steps away from destruction.
Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.
This reverential FEAR guides our choices, directs our path, instructs our next steps. Helps us in our decisions that turn us away from destruction and death.
The Spirit of Fear
NOW - The opposite of the fear of the LORD is terror, anxiety, paralyzing dread. That's THE SECOND TYPE OF FEAR. This fear is a destructive force that operates in opposition to God's purpose for us. This spirit is working to derail us from achieving our purpose in life!
This type of fear is a spirit. The SPIRIT OF FEAR.
2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Let's break it down - First God GAVE us a SPIRIT - that's the Holy Spirit. Every believer is given the Holy Spirit - It’s a spirit of POWER, LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.
You see the Holy Spirit is not a spirit of FEAR, no!
The Spirit of FEAR - is one that causes anxiety, timidity, terror. It’s not from the LORD. That paralyzing dread, that anxiety that makes you want to quit, that feeling of timidity that keeps you silent when you should speak—that the spirit of FEAR.
The Spirit of Fear is always self-centered. What do I mean by that - it's the thought that goes around are head that asks: "What will happen to me?"
When the Spirit of Fear gets a hold of your mind, every single thought becomes a tunnel vision focused on self.
The Spirit of Fear is always self-centered:
Fear of Failure: "What will happen to my reputation? What will people think of me?"
Fear of Lack: "Will I have enough money? Will I be secure?"
Fear of Rejection: "What if they don't like me? What if I get hurt?"
The Spirit of Fear traps you in a cycle of worry where you become the central figure in every potential disaster.
You are looking inward, you feel your fragility, highlighting your own weaknesses, and seeking your own comfort.
This Spirit of Fear grips many people in ways they don't even recognize. Fears such as:
Fear of Death (Thanatophobia), the primal terror of the unknown and our own mortality. This fear flourishes where there is a lack of eternal assurance. It results in idolatry of the present life—we seek immortality through fame, wealth
Fear of Losing Control (Contraphobia), the intense need to micromanage everything around us because we cannot trust God with the outcome. It manifests as micromanagement, high stress, and difficulty delegating.
This fear is a direct rejection of God's sovereignty. It believes the lie that God is either not capable or not trustworthy enough to handle the outcome of our lives, prompting us to take the steering wheel from the Captain.
It leads to spiritual exhaustion and paralysis, as we attempt to shoulder the weight of the universe instead of resting in God's power.
Fear of Shame, or Fear of Getting Caught - the anxiety that our secrets will be exposed and our true, flawed selves will be revealed.
We hide our sin because we trust man's opinion more than God's declaration of righteousness.
It promotes hypocrisy and isolation, trapping individuals in cycles of secrecy.
Fear of Intimacy (Philophobia): The fear of forming deep, close, vulnerable emotional bonds with others.
This fear shuts down Love for the sake of self-protection. it equates love with inevitable pain and eventual rejection.
Fear of Conflict (Eremophobia): An overwhelming dread of confrontation, arguments, or disagreement.
This fear prioritizes human peace over speaking up for righteousness. It fosters bitterness and resentment, as unaddressed issues fester, and it allows sin and injustice to persist unchallenged in personal and corporate life.
Fear of Suffering/Pain (Algophobia): The avoidance of any experience perceived as physically or emotionally painful.
It rejects the concept of carrying one's cross. It leads to stagnation and spiritual immaturity, preventing the development of endurance, perseverance, and dependence on Christ.
Fear of inadequacy or performing poorly, which can block career advancement and ministry opportunities.
This fear denies the sufficiency of Christ. based on human ability. It results in missed ministry opportunities, preventing believers from stepping into their spiritual gifts out of the fear that their personal efforts will fall short.
Fear of Serious Illness (Nosophobia): A persistent, irrational anxiety about contracting a specific severe disease. This fear drains joy and replaces it with hyper-vigilance regarding health.
It ignores the divine promises of ultimate healing. It drains joy and living in perpetual worry.
These types of fear are voices from the spirit of fear that shouts the same question in your minds: "What must I do to protect me?" its the voice of self-preservation
The SPIRIT of FEAR is not from GOD! And brothers and sisters, I’m certain many of you need to be delivered from these types of fear.
And So SINCE God did not INSTALL FEAR in you! It is an INVASION. It is a LIE from the enemy.
The moment you realize that fear is a spirit that did not come from God, you are no longer its prisoner—you are a victor and you have the power to cast out this spirit of fear.
God gave you the Spirit of Power, Love and Sound Mind - Three operational gifts that define the true Christian Faith that conquers fear.
A. Power - dynamis
This is not natural power; it is a divine, built-in power—its the same dynamis that raised Christ from the dead! AND This built-in power is for action, for ministry, for resisting sin, and for standing firm against opposition.
This Power Destroys the Paralyzing effect of Fear. When the spirit of fear whispers, "You can't do it," the Spirit of God shouts, "You have the POWER to do all things through Christ!"
B. Love - agape
This is not emotional love; it is covenantal, sacrificial agape—the love that drove Christ to the cross. This love moves us outside of ourselves.
Love Destroys Self-Centered Fear. Fear is always self-centered ("What will happen to me?"). Love, however, is outwardly focused. When we operate in agape, we stop focusing on our own risk and start focusing on the person God has called us to serve or reach. As John tells us, "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).
C. Sound Mind/Self-Control
This is the sound, disciplined mind. It is not being ruled by panic or chaos, but having spiritual sanity—the ability to think clearly, wisely, and calmly under pressure.
Self-Control Destroys Hysterical Fear. Fear makes us irrational, impulsive, and reactive. Self-control gives us the disciplined mind to evaluate the enemy's lie, stand on the Word, and choose obedience rather than panic.
UNDERTAND: These Gifts Are Operational Right Now. They are available right now, it is not hidden in the past. It is operational right now, available to you right now.
Paul uses the past tense: "God gave us." This isn't a promise for tomorrow; it's a statement of fact for today!
If you are in Christ, if you are a Christian - you do not need to pray for these things to be given to you again. They are already residing in you through the Holy Spirit.
So really - The challenge is not acquiring the spirit of power, love and sound mind ; it is activation. ACTIVATE IT! By FAITH - know that you already have these 3 gifts. Hallelujah. It is by FAITH that we activate the spirit of power, love and sound mind.
Biblical Evidence: Faith Activates the Gifts
We don't just speak these truths; we look at the men who lived them out.
1. Power Over Paralyzing Dread (Fear of Action & Inadequacy)
Story A: Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3 & 4)
Moses was paralyzed by the question, "Who am I?" (Fear of Inadequacy) He offers several excuses rooted in self-doubt ("I am not eloquent," "They will not believe me," "I am slow of speech," Exodus 4:1, 10)..
God's response was explicitly not a focus on building Moses's human qualifications or self-esteem. Instead, God focused entirely on His own nature and presence. He answered with the declaration of His divine power and being: "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14) and "I will be with you" (Exodus 3:12).
When Moses finally stepped out, it wasn't because he gained confidence; it was because he activated the Power that was already supplied.
The power of God is the antidote to the paralysis of man.
Story B: David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17)
The entire army of Israel was paralyzed by Dread and Fear of Failure. They looked at the giant (9 feet, 9 inches) and asked: "What if I fail?" But David looked at the Giant and asked: "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine defying the armies of the living God?" Where did his courage come from? He didn't rely on Saul's armor (his own strength); he relied on past victory: "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." That is the Spirit of Power—it remembers God's past victories to fuel action in the present. Power destroys the FEAR of inadequacy!
2. Love Over Self-Centered Fear (Fear of Rejection & Suffering)
Story C: Peter's Denial and Restoration (John 21)
Peter was gripped by Self-Centered Fear when he denied Jesus three times, choosing self-preservation over his covenantal commitment.
The Spirit of Fear whispered, "Protect your life!" The restoration came when Jesus asked him, "Do you love Me ? Feed My sheep." By affirming his love for Christ and being given a mission to serve others, Peter's focus was diverted outward. His mission became about serving others, not saving himself. The activation of Love shattered his self-centered fear, transforming him into the bold Apostle.
3. Self-Control Over Hysterical Fear (Fear of Chaos & Despair)
Story D: Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
The disciples were consumed by Hysterical Fear—they thought the chaos outside would mean certain death. Jesus's rebuke was: "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" He was confronting their internal chaos. He demanded that they activate Self-Control, the sound mind, and anchor their thoughts to the reality of His presence, refusing to let the external storm dictate their internal state. The spiritual solution to chaos is internal sanity.
Story E: Elijah Flees Jezebel (1 Kings 19)
Elijah had just experienced the greatest victory on Mount Carmel—fire from heaven! Yet, a single death threat from Queen Jezebel (a symbol of the controlling Spirit of Fear) caused him to run for his life, ending up under a broom tree wishing for death. He was consumed by Despair and Hysterical Fear. He had lost his Sound Mind. God did not rebuke him with thunder; God met him in a gentle whisper. He gave Elijah rest, food, and most importantly, a clear, rational plan (anointing kings and finding Elisha).
God restored Elijah’s SOUND MIND by giving him a clear command and a purpose that overcame his self-pity and sense of being alone.
The good news is, you do not need to pray for these things to be given to you again. They are already resident in you through the Holy Spirit. The challenge is not acquisition; it is activation!
Now there are some of you here that do not have the power of the Holy Spirit.
You see, when a person places faith in Jesus, they are immediately sealed with the Holy Spirit, who acts as the guarantee of their inheritance and the source of their new life
Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV): "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
So it really starts with believing in JESUS! We receive the gift of the holy spirit when we believe in JESUS. Perhaps some of you are asking, what do I need to believe about JESUS? Well Jesus will answer that question in
John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Romans 10:9 says this:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
LORD, I surrender my life to you today. I am a sinner in need of your help. Forgive me LORD for my sins and I confess that only you LORD JESUS have died on the cross for me, and rose from the dead for me. Thank you Jesus for reconciling me back to GOD. Thank you JESUS for the gift of eternal life with GOD. Amen!
Welcome to the kingdom of GOD! God’s Supernatural Grace is available to you!
Praise Be To God!
