COMMENTS
The spirit of the Lord imparted to His people is not a spirit of fear, but on the contrary a spirit of power, energy, zeal awakened by love—loving devotion to God, and a desire to please and serve Him; loving devotion to the Truth, and a loving devotion to God's people and a desire to build them up in holy things, and to do good unto all men as we have opportunity—the spirit of a "sound mind"—a mind that is fortified and strengthened by the Word of the Lord on every subject, and hence, while thoroughly fearless of man, is wise in judging of times, seasons and methods for using the energy of love which burns as a fire within the consecrated heart.
As the spirit of fear is a timid disposition, so the spirit of power, of love and of a sound mind is the disposition of power, of love and of wisdom, i.e., a strong, loving and wise disposition. God rids us of a timid disposition by His Spirit, Word and providences, as well as thereby gives us a disposition like His own, in which wisdom, justice, love and power blend in beautiful harmony. Praise be to God for such a gift!
Josh. 1:5-9; Rom. 8:15; Isa. 51:12, 13; Acts 1:8; 6:8; Eph. 1:19, 20; 1 Cor. 1:24-28; 2 Cor. 12:9; Psa. 18:1; 31:23; John 14:15, 21, 24; 13:34, 35; 15:12-15, 17; 1 Cor. 13; Matt. 7:24, 25; 25:1-9; 15:14; 16:19; Eph. 5:15-17; Col. 3:10, 16; Jas. 3:13.
