Devotion 26 February 2026

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1: 7

READING: 2 Timothy 1: 3-7

These verses from Timothy are exciting and empowering. But the focus should be firstly on the beginning of verse seven, reminding us that God graciously gives us his Holy Spirit.

And that gift makes us fearless in troubled times, works his power in our weakness, stirs in us genuine love for our neighbours and even our enemies, and gives us self-control to live as God’s holy people.

We often apply this verse to our lives when we are feeling overwhelmed by a bad situation. And of course it applies to that. But in fact this passage is about Paul being determined to help Timothy develop into the leader God wanted him to be, even though he tended to shrink from the demands of ministry. Paul reminds him of his mother’s and grandmother’s faith. He wants him to “fan into flame the gift of God” (v6). This is not about our comfort but about a challenge!

As The Message interpretation of the Bible puts verse 7: “God doesn’t want us to be shy with His gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”

We are given these fruits of the Spirit’s work in our lives, fearlessness, power, love, and self-control, in order that we can do His work.

We will not be timid or shy, because the Spirit gives us courage and fearlessness, just as Peter and John boldly testified after the resurrection (Acts 4:8–13, 29).

Jesus promised his witnesses heavenly power to carry out their mission (Luke 24:37–49), and Paul stressed that God shows his supreme power in our weakness (2 Cor. 4:8).

Love is the supreme fruit of the Spirit’s transforming work in our lives (Galatians 5:22).

The Spirit’s final attribute is expressed slightly differently in different translations: as of “self-discipline” (NIV), “self-control” (ESV), or “of a sound mind” (NKJV), or even “sensible” (MSG). In other words, the Spirit brings order to our scattered lives, enables us to resist sin, and to think and act with sobriety and wisdom.

The great encouraging words of Paul to Timothy express a truth that would be good for all of us to hold deep inside our hearts and minds. We have no reason to give way to fear or timidity, because we are children of God, we’re disciples of Jesus, and God is with us in every situation we encounter. Instead, God wants us to stand strong in Him, the power of His might, and in the faith He gives us. In every situation we encounter, we can experience peace and poise, as we allow God to be our source of strength.

Prayer

Lord God, I thank You for the gifts of fearlessness, power, love, and self-control as I face the world in Your name. Amen