(2 Timothy 1:7) God did not give us a spirit of a coward.

Many translations of 2 Timothy 1:7, unfortunately, read "spirit of fear," but the Greek word specifically means—timidity, cowardice, faintheartedness, spinelessness, lack of confidence, or being wimpish.

When we are born again, we receive the Holy Spirit of power and strength.

If this is true, and it is, then why are Christians often spiritual cowards and timid in their lives?

Because the power of the Holy Spirit lives within us, a central characteristic of Christian living is courage (boldness).

When we are truly born again by the Holy Spirit, it is impossible for us to live lifestyles marked by cowardice.

However, I am not saying that Christians should portray themselves as spiritual John Waynes, tough as leather. Christian "John Wayne" types are often simply attempting to be strong through their own willpower. They often just want to be noticed for being tough.

The bottom line is this: Christians who are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit persevere.

They remain faithful through life's difficulties and overcome the spiritual conflicts they face in this world.

Empowered Christians keep going even when the spiritual battles of life are difficult.

We stay in the fight.

We keep standing.

We are durable.

We might get wounded, but we press on.

Paul best summarizes the characteristics of a Spirit-empowered life in 2 Corinthians 4:8–9: We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

When we put our total trust in the salvation of Jesus Christ, God gives us the Holy Spirit of power and discipline.

Let us all live in the Spirit's strength—persevering, remaining faithful, and overcoming—and reject every temptation to live like spiritual cowards.

Yes, hard pressed, but not crushed.

Amen!