10/11/2025
Title: Living Boldly in the Spirit God
Gave Us
Text: 2 Timothy 1:7 (NIV) – “For the
Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and
self-discipline.”
Introduction:
Paul writes to Timothy, a young leader in the faith, to remind him not to
shrink back in fear but to stand firm in the calling God placed on his life.
Paul, writing from prison, is a living example of what it means to live
unshaken by fear, full of power, love, and discipline—even when the world
crumbles around him.
Today, many of us battle with fear—fear of failure, fear of rejection,
fear of the unknown. But Paul reminds us: Fear is not from God. The
Spirit God gives us is one of boldness, strength, love,
and control.
Let’s break this verse down into four parts and explore how we can live
it out:
1. God Has Not Given Us
a Spirit of Fear That Makes Us Timid
2. He Gave Us Power
3. He Gave Us Love
4. He Gave Us
Self-Discipline
1. God Has Not
Given Us a Spirit of Fear That Makes Us Timid
How Can We Live an Untimid Life?
Fear doesn’t come from God—it is a tool the enemy uses to paralyze us.
The Greek word used for "fear" here (deilia) means cowardice
or timidity. It’s the kind of fear that keeps us quiet when we should
speak, and makes us passive when we should act.
Biblical Contexts:
Remember Moses? In Exodus 3 and 4, when God called Moses to lead Israel out of
Egypt, Moses responded with fear:
- “Who am I?”
- “What if they
don’t believe me?”
- “I am slow of
speech.”
God responded not by giving Moses an escape, but by promising His presence: “I will be with you.” - “Go!”
- The interested
thing is when God gave Moses this task, He knows that Moses can
victoriously delivered
- When God
assigned us to a calling, He knows that we can deliver
- His Promise: “I
will be with you.”
- He has
empowered us for the task
- He has made us
right for the His calling
- The calling is for
US. He is not going to take John calling and give it to Peter. We all are
uniquely called by God. When He call you, it is your calling, so GO!
- Are we NOT going
because we are timid
- Because we
have already decided how they are going to response.
- Because we
look down on ourselves?
- Because
history has told us that this cannot be done?
- Because we’ve
faced rejection our entire lives?
- Because we’ve
abused our entire lives?
- Because we had
not had firm foundation in our lives?
- Because we
have been abundant all our entire lives?
- Because we
been lied to our entire lives?
All of these things plus more created fear in our lives.
-
The Fear that shrinks our vision.
-
The Fear that makes us timid.
-
The Fear that drives us away from God’s way.
But our Faith in God expands our vision.
Illustration:
There was a young woman who felt called to start a Christian podcast. But fear
told her, “You’re not eloquent. What if no one listens? What if you say the
wrong thing?” After praying and reading this verse in 2 Timothy, she decided to
record her first episode. That podcast went on to reach thousands—and became a
platform to minister to people around the world.
Application:
To live an untimid life:
- Know God’s
promises (Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”)
- Pray boldly.
- Take
faith-filled risks. Don’t wait until you’re “ready”—walk in obedience and
God will meet you there.
2. He Gave Us Power
How Has God Empowered Us?
The Holy Spirit empowers us to do what we cannot do in our own strength.
The Holy Spirit filled us with Holy cup of courage. The Holy Spirit paved us a
way to victory.
Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses…”
The word for power here is dunamis—from which we get the word
“dynamite.” It means explosive, miraculous strength. God gives us divine
energy to carry out His work.
Biblical Contexts:
Look at Peter. Before the cross, he denied Jesus three times out of fear. But
after Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit, Peter stood before thousands
and boldly proclaimed the gospel (Acts 2), and 3,000 people were saved.
Illustration:
A man once struggled to overcome addiction. Every rehab attempt failed. But
when he gave his life to Christ and received the Holy Spirit, he began to walk
in real freedom—not just behavior change, but heart transformation. He lives a
life of Romans 12, no longer fixing my addiction but transforming his life by
Renewing his mind & life. He now leads a recovery group, empowered by God
to help others.
Application:
- God’s power
enables you to resist sin (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- God’s power
helps you endure suffering (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- God’s power
gives you courage to serve (Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things
through Christ…”)
3. He Gave Us Love
How Can This Love Be Manifested in Our Lives?
Love is not passive—it’s powerful. It breaks down walls, softens hearts,
and reflects God’s character to the world.
1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”
Biblical Contexts:
Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13. He knew He was about to be
betrayed, yet He chose love. That same night, He gave the new command: “Love
one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (v. 34).
Illustration:
In 1994, a missionary couple in Rwanda lost their family during the genocide.
Years later, they returned—not with bitterness, but with love. They opened an
orphanage for children of both victims and perpetrators. Their love became a
testimony that brought healing to an entire village.
Application:
- Love by
forgiving those who hurt you (Ephesians 4:32).
- Love by serving
without expecting return (Galatians 5:13).
- Love by being
present in others’ pain (Romans 12:15).
The Spirit enables us to love when it’s hard, to love beyond what is
“normal,” and to love as Christ loved.
What Does It Mean to Be Self-Disciplined?
Self-discipline is the ability to say “no” to what hinders and “yes” to
what helps us grow. It's Spirit-enabled control over impulses, emotions, and
habits. Self-disciple gives us the ability to conquer:
-
The ability to say no to taking that hit
-
The ability to say no for taking that drink
-
The ability to say no to living in an adulterous relationship
-
The ability to live without ungodly habits.
The Greek word is sōphronismos, meaning sound mind, self-control,
wise restraint.
Biblical Contexts:
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 – “I discipline my body like an athlete,
training it to do what it should.”
The Christian life requires spiritual training—daily habits of prayer,
Scripture, obedience, and perseverance.
Illustration:
An entrepreneur was tempted to cheat on her taxes to save money. But because
she lived under God’s discipline, she chose honesty, even when it cost her.
Later, her integrity opened doors for greater opportunities and influence.
Application:
- Self-discipline
is waking up early to pray even when tired.
- Self-discipline
is resisting temptation because you fear God more than man.
- Self-discipline
is choosing God’s will over your own desires.
Galatians 5:22-23 tells us self-control is a fruit of the
Spirit—evidence that God is at work in us.
Conclusion:
2 Timothy 1:7 is not just a motivational verse. It’s a call to live by the Spirit God
has already placed within you.
- You don’t have
to live in fear—you can live boldly.
- You are not
powerless—you are filled with divine strength.
- You can love supernaturally—even
the unlovable.
- You can walk in
self-discipline—even when it’s hard.
My Challenge for this week:
This week, choose one area where fear has held you back—and confront it with
faith. Lean into the Spirit God has given you. Boldly step into the life you
were created to live.
Closing Prayer:
Father, thank You for the Spirit You’ve given us—a Spirit not of fear, but
of power, love, and self-discipline. Help us to walk boldly, love deeply, and
live faithfully for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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