Main Thought
Fear doesn’t belong here! A spirit of fear does not come from God, so it does not belong in the lives of God’s children. It can be hard to spot the spirit of fear. For that reason, it’s helpful to remember the effects that God’s Holy Spirit should produce in us. Then we can recognize a spirit of fear in contrast. Here are some effects that the Holy Spirit produces in us, compared against the effects that the spirit of fear produces in us.
Power: Service vs. Self-Preservation
Love: Upward and Outward vs. Inward
“Self-Control”: Peace vs. Panic
If we can recognize the spirit of fear in our lives, then we can replace it with God’s Holy Spirit! We do this by approaching God in faith and believing that He’ll reward us for seeking Him. We also experience the Holy Spirit’s presence when we exercise our love for God practically. This includes things like spending time with God in prayer, by reading the Bible, and helping others follow Him. Following Jesus in faith allows us to experience God’s presence in our lives, and eventually throughout eternity. Jesus overcame mankind’s greatest fear - the fear of death - through His resurrection. If we know that Jesus loves us, and we’re reminded of His love and His resurrection by the Spirit, then fear will lose its grip on us.
Main Passage
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
- 2 Timothy 1:713 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
- 2 Timothy 1:13-1413 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…
- 1 John 4:13-15, 18
Questions
What can we learn about God in the Main Passages above?
Given the effects of fear vs. the effects of the Holy Spirit listed above, do you notice any ways in which you might have been acting in fear? How so?
What do you need to do to experience the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?
Application:
We can experience God’s presence as we “go” in faith, and help others follow Him. Do that this week by inviting at least one person to watch our Easter Worship experience on Sunday, April 12, 2020!