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Let us look at what the Word of God says. The central scripture behind this song is:
> “For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
> but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
> — 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
This verse is simple to memorize, but profound in its implications. It tells us three things very clearly:
1. There is a spirit of fear – and it does not come from God.
2. God has given (past tense, completed fact) His people a different kind of Spirit.
3. That Spirit has three main characteristics: power, love, and a sound mind (or self-control, self-discipline).
The lyrics of the song echo and reinforce this truth:
> “God has not given us a spirit of fear,
> but power, love, and self-control.
> A spirit of power, love,
> and a sound mind.”
This is not just a comfort verse. It is a spiritual diagnosis and a spiritual prescription. It exposes the source of fear and reveals the equipment God has given us to live in victory.
If we believe what this verse says, it will change:
The Holy Spirit is not the author of panic, torment, or confusion. He is the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound, disciplined mind.
This verse comes from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. It is important to see where and when Paul wrote this.
Timothy, by contrast, is much younger. He is a leader in Ephesus, facing pressure, opposition, false teaching, and spiritual warfare. From the letters, we see that:
Paul begins 2 Timothy by reminding Timothy of:
Right in this context, Paul says:
> “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…” (2 Timothy 1:7).
In other words:
The song’s repetition of the verse mirrors Paul’s purpose: to reprogram Timothy’s thinking. Fear is not neutral. It is a spirit, and it is not from God. You must recognize it, resist it, and replace it with the truth.
Let us look at some key Greek words that deepen our understanding.
### 1. “Spirit” – *pneuma*
“God has not given us a spirit (*pneuma*) of fear…”
Here, Paul contrasts the spirit of fear with what God has given. Many scholars understand this to refer primarily to the Holy Spirit, and the characteristics He imparts: power, love, and a sound mind.
However, there is also a contrast between:
Fear is not only an emotion. At times it is a spiritual presence, a spirit of fear, trying to dominate the mind, paralyze the will, and silence obedience.
When we understand we are dealing with a *pneuma*—a spirit—we stop treating fear as something we must “live with” and begin to see it as an intruder that must be resisted and expelled.
### 2. “Fear” – *deilia* (cowardice, timidity)
The Greek word here is δέλια (*deilia*), which means:
This is not the healthy “fear of the Lord.” It is a negative, enslaving fear that hinders obedience.
The fear of the Lord (*phobos* or *yir’ah* in Hebrew) produces:
But this *deilia* produces:
So when the lyrics say:
> “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…”
We can rightly say:
God has not given us a spirit of cowardice, a shrinking back, a paralyzing inner voice that says, “You cannot, you must not, you will fail, you will be exposed.”
### 3. “Sound mind / self-discipline” – *sōphronismos*
This word is rich and important.
So when translations render it:
They are all pointing to this reality: the Holy Spirit produces disciplined thinking and governed behavior. Not mental confusion, not emotional chaos, not moral laxity.
The Spirit God has given does not only give power to act and love to motivate, but also a well-ordered mind to think, decide, and live rightly in the midst of pressure.
The song’s phrasing—“a sound mind,” “self-control,” “self-discipline”—all point back to this one Greek concept: *sōphronismos*.
This means: if my mind is constantly in turmoil, irrational fear, obsessive patterns, or mental bondage, I am not experiencing the full work of the Spirit of God. He wants to bring my mind under the government of Christ.
Let us take the main statements of the song and open them up scripturally.
### A. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear…”
This is the dividing line. Note three important truths:
1. Fear is not neutral.
It is a spirit. Fear, especially irrational, tormenting, paralyzing fear, often has a spiritual source.
> “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear…”
Here Paul speaks of a “spirit of bondage again to fear.” Bondage and fear go together; they are spiritual slavery.
> “Fear involves torment.”
What torments is not of God.
2. What God did not give, I am not obligated to keep.
If fear is not given by God, I am not required to accept it as part of my personality, my “wiring,” or my destiny. I may have a natural temperament prone to anxiety, but that is not final. The Holy Spirit can re-form my inner life.
3. The Holy Spirit and the spirit of fear are in opposition.
The presence of the Holy Spirit displaces the presence of fear. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3:17). Liberty from what? Among other things, liberty from fear.
So when the song repeatedly asserts:
> “God has not given us a spirit of fear…”
It is training our mouths and minds to agree with God against our feelings.
### B. “…but of power…”
The first positive attribute is power.
Greek: dynamis – ability, might, strength, miraculous power.
> “But you shall receive power (*dynamis*) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
> “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”
The Spirit’s power operates in at least three main ways:
1. Power to witness – boldness to testify of Christ.
Timothy is exhorted:
> “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…” (2 Timothy 1:8).
The opposite of the spirit of fear is bold testimony.
2. Power to endure – strength to suffer for the gospel.
Paul writes as a prisoner, not ashamed, because he knows whom he has believed (1:12). The same Spirit gives us resilience under pressure.
3. Power to overcome sin and demonic forces.
> “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”
> “I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy.”
This means: where fear says, “You are helpless, weak, exposed,” the Spirit declares, “You are equipped with God’s power.”
When we sing:
> “A spirit of power, love,
> and a sound mind.”
We align ourselves with Acts 1:8 and 2 Timothy 1:7 simultaneously. The Spirit in you is not weak.
### C. “…and of love…”
The second attribute is love.
Greek: agapē – God’s self-giving, steadfast love.
> “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Fear and love are also opposites:
> “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”
Where fear dominates, love is diminished. Fear always turns us inward:
But the Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts so we can:
For Timothy, this meant loving the flock enough to endure hardship, confrontation, and misunderstanding. For us, it may mean loving our families, coworkers, and even enemies in costly ways.
The song’s emphasis on:
> “A spirit of power, love…”
Is vital. Power without love becomes harsh. Love without power becomes sentimental. The Holy Spirit is both.
### D. “…and of a sound mind / self-discipline.”
The third attribute, *sōphronismos*, is crucial for spiritual warfare.
Many believers think spiritual power is all emotion and experience. But the Spirit also renews the mind.
> “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
> “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God… casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity…”
A “sound mind”:
1. Thinks in line with Scripture.
It tests every thought: “Is this from God or from the enemy?”
It refuses lies, exaggerations, and accusations.
2. Is not ruled by uncontrolled emotions.
It does not deny emotions, but it does not submit to them as final authority.
3. Is disciplined.
It can say no to destructive patterns.
It governs time, attention, speech, and behavior under the Lordship of Christ.
So when you sing:
> “But power, love, and self-control.
> A spirit of power, love,
> and a sound mind.”
You are agreeing with the Holy Spirit’s work to:
### E. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid…”
Another line in the lyrics reflects the NIV:
> “For the Spirit God gave us
> does not make us timid,
> but gives us power, love
> and self-discipline.”
Timidity is the outward symptom of an inward fear. The Holy Spirit presses us in the opposite direction: courage.
> “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you…”
In the New Covenant, that same Lord is in us by His Spirit. Courage is not natural bravado. It is the fruit of knowing:
The Spirit does not make you a spiritual spectator or a passive victim. He makes you a participant in God’s purposes—strong, loving, and clear-minded.
The truths in this verse are not automatic. They must be received, believed, and applied. Here are four practical steps, framed as both actions and proclamations.
### 1. Recognize and Renounce the Spirit of Fear
First, we must call fear what Scripture calls it: a spirit that God did not give.
“This fear is not from God. God has not given me a spirit of fear.”
“In the name of Jesus, I renounce the spirit of fear. I refuse its lies, intimidation, and control over my life.”
Confess these as sins of unbelief and renounce them. Bring them to the cross.
Proclamation 1:
“I refuse the spirit of fear. It is not from God, and I will not accept it in my life.”
### 2. Receive the Holy Spirit’s Power, Love, and Sound Mind
Second, we must actively receive what God has already given.
Paul does not say, “God will someday give us…” He says, “God has given us…”
“Father, I thank You that You have given me, in the Holy Spirit, power, love, and a sound mind.”
“Spirit of God, rise up in me now with power, with love, and with a sound mind. Govern my thoughts, my emotions, and my reactions.”
Proclamation 2:
“I have received the Spirit of God—He is in me now with power, with love, and with a sound, disciplined mind.”
### 3. Discipline Your Thoughts with the Word of God
Third, we must cooperate with the Spirit by training our minds.
The lyrics themselves are a tool for renewal. Singing:
> “God has not given us a spirit of fear,
> but power, love, and self-control.”
Is not mere worship—it is warfare. You are aligning your mental patterns with God’s Word.
Proclamation 3:
“I bring my thoughts under the authority of God’s Word. I reject fearful imaginations and receive a sound, disciplined mind.”
### 4. Act in Faith Against Fear
Fourth, we must not only feel differently; we must act differently.
Courage is not the absence of fear—it is obedience in the presence of fear.
For you, it may mean:
Every act of faith weakens the grip of fear and strengthens the operation of power, love, and sound mind.
Proclamation 4:
“I choose to act in faith, not in fear. I will obey God, even when I feel afraid, because His Spirit in me is greater.”
Let us end as Derek Prince often did—with a proclamation based directly on Scripture, and then a prayer.
### Proclamation (Declare Aloud)
“I proclaim the truth of God’s Word:
God has not given me a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I reject and renounce every spirit of fear, timidity, and cowardice.
These do not come from my Father, and I refuse them in the name of Jesus.
I receive, by faith, the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of power.
I am equipped with God’s ability to witness, to endure, and to overcome.
I receive the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of love.
The love of God is poured out in my heart,
driving out tormenting fear and self-centeredness.
I receive the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of a sound mind.
My thoughts are brought under the lordship of Christ.
I have self-control, self-discipline, and clear judgment in the Holy Spirit.
I choose to walk in power, in love, and in a sound mind—
today, and every day—
in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
### Prayer
“Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I thank You for the clarity of Your Word. You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.
I ask now for each person reading this that the Holy Spirit will rise up within them in a new measure. Where there has been bondage to fear, let there be liberty. Where there has been confusion and mental torment, let there be a sound, disciplined mind. Where there has been weakness and timidity, let there be power and boldness. Where there has been self-protection and withdrawal, let there be Your love poured out.
Lord Jesus, You defeated Satan and all his works at the cross. I ask You to enforce that victory in every life. Break the hold of every spirit of fear. Replace it with the mighty working of Your Holy Spirit.
Teach us to live by Your Word, to confess Your promises, and to act in faith, not in fear. Let Your people be known as a people of power, of love, and of sound minds in a fearful and confused world.
We receive it now, by faith, and we thank You for it.
In the name of Jesus,
Amen.”
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