A Spirit of Love
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
As we continue to look at 2 Timothy 1:7, we now know that it is not God who has given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He gives us a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE. Yesterday, we looked at the spirit of power that we can claim as His children.
Today, we look at another gift He has blessed us with: a spirit of LOVE. God did not design you to be mean. He did not create you to be disrespectful, harsh, sarcastic, or disingenuous. Anytime someone is treating you in one of these ways, more often than not, something is going on in their own life that has made them unhappy. And as a result, they take it out on the people around them.
These are not traits God has given us. Instead, He has given us a spirit of love. God wants us to love those around us. He wants us to love our family, our friends, and even our enemies! “Our enemies? Pastor, how can I love someone who is mean to me or dislikes me?”
As believers, we are called to be different. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Did you catch that? He said don’t copy the behaviors of this world. Does this world not love their family and friends and hate their enemies? To do this is to be like everyone else! Anyone can love those who love them and hate those who hate them! But God has called us to be different.
As a Christ follower, God has not only called you, but He has equipped you with a spirit of LOVE. And He wants you to express that love to everyone you come in contact with! When you show love, you show Jesus to the world. And nothing makes God happier than when your actions point to Him!
As we continue to look at 2 Timothy 1:7, we now know that it is not God who has given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He gives us a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE. Yesterday, we looked at the spirit of power that we can claim as His children.
Today, we look at another gift He has blessed us with: a spirit of LOVE. God did not design you to be mean. He did not create you to be disrespectful, harsh, sarcastic, or disingenuous. Anytime someone is treating you in one of these ways, more often than not, something is going on in their own life that has made them unhappy. And as a result, they take it out on the people around them.
These are not traits God has given us. Instead, He has given us a spirit of love. God wants us to love those around us. He wants us to love our family, our friends, and even our enemies! “Our enemies? Pastor, how can I love someone who is mean to me or dislikes me?”
As believers, we are called to be different. Romans 12:2 says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Did you catch that? He said don’t copy the behaviors of this world. Does this world not love their family and friends and hate their enemies? To do this is to be like everyone else! Anyone can love those who love them and hate those who hate them! But God has called us to be different.
As a Christ follower, God has not only called you, but He has equipped you with a spirit of LOVE. And He wants you to express that love to everyone you come in contact with! When you show love, you show Jesus to the world. And nothing makes God happier than when your actions point to Him!
Free Email Devotional - Sign Up Now
Recent
Archive
2026
January
When Prayer Feels Like Bad ReceptionTeach Us to Pray AgainRelationship Over RequestsPulled Toward HeavenWhen God Says No, Slow, Grow, or GoPray Bigger PrayersPray Without Ceasing in Real LifeWhen Persistence Feels PointlessWhen Darkness Reacts to LightWorship as WarfareChains Fall in His PresenceNot Who I Used to BeWhen God Reveals the BattleNo Fear in the Presence of PowerSet Free to WorshipVictory Is NowWhat You Love, You ShareGod Has a Brag Book, and You’re in ItThe Moment You Missed and the Mercy That RemainsBetter Today Than YesterdayAvailability Over AbilityThe Search for SignificanceWhen God Sets Up the MomentExplain the Hope Within YouThe Gospel Starts Where People AreSalt Has to Leave the ShakerWhat Defines You Determines YouYou’re Richer Than You RealizeThe Quiet Sin No One ConfessesYou Can’t Serve Two MastersThe Token That Stopped Spending
February
2025
January
Why Me?Ordinary but ChosenYour Past Prepares You for God's FutureWhy Not Me?The Burden of PreparationIt’s Bigger Than YouJust Show UpAnchored in PrayerBreakthrough Was Always God's PlanWaiting on Your BreakthroughTransformative Power of PrayerThe Art of PrayerThe God of BreakthroughKryptoniteLifelineThe Dare of DependenceWho Needs Your Prayers?Soaring in PrayerObedience Through PrayerThe Power of Prayer in Overcoming TemptationIs Your Heart Prepared for God's Mighty Work?The Joy of SimplicityPatient in Affliction, Faithful in PrayerBurning PrayersWhile You Wait...He WorksChoosing His Will with Free WillEquipped for Victory: Overcoming Sin from WithinEverydayThe Great I AMSaying Yes to GodOrdinary People, Extraordinary God
February
Freedom from LabelsFaithful Before the AppointmentLabels Don’t Define YouPut Off the ArmorRun Your Own RaceA Champion, Not a ContestantThe Story’s Not OverWhat Really MattersWinning the Battle WithinYou Are Positioned for a PurposeYour Worth Is SetYou Are EnoughTake Off the MaskOn Purpose, For a PurposeKnown. Loved. Enough.What Are You Afraid of Losing?What Are You Trying to Hide?What Are You Still Trying to Prove?What Are You Chasing?Stop Faking ItAre You Living in Fear?Stop Hiding Behind FearLive in God’s TruthOne OpportunityYour Identity Is in ChristYou’re His WorkmanshipYour Weakness Doesn’t Disqualify You
No Comments