Matthew 7:1-2
January 29, 2024
FEAST OF SAINT MARTINA OF ROME – 30th JANUARY
January 30, 2024
THE 29th OF JANUARY
GOD GAVE US A SPIRIT OF POWER, LOVE AND SELF-CONTROL, NOT OF FEAR
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7
The Bible tells us to have only one fear, and that is the fear of God; we should live with a healthy fear of not sinning against God. Also, through the Holy Spirit we have the power to keep our calm when our flesh would normally be angry and sin. When we feel that we are beginning to lose our temper, if we ask the Lord to help us calm down and not react accordingly to our carnal nature, we can avoid sinning. Then with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can restore our calm and defuse tension. Through the Holy Spirit we have received a balanced and sound mind, we can think correctly and make good decisions for us and those around us.
The self-discipline that we have received through the Holy Spirit is indispensable to the life of faith. By this fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:23), we can defeat the lusts and passions of the flesh, no matter how susceptible we were to them before we came to Jesus. Many Christians do not know that they can overcome old addictions once they understand that they are a new creation through Jesus, and that sin no longer masters them.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Thank You Lord for the strength to resist the enemy, uphold the truth of Scripture and declare my faith in You, even if I must suffer. Help me love those who mock me, stay calm when I would normally get mad and discipline myself so that sin will not rule over me again. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Source: thetruthstandsforever
