“2 Timothy 1:7 

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 
John 14 tells us that the Holy Spirit is our Counselor and He dwells within us.    He convicts men and woman about unrighteousness.   He gives spiritual sight to the blind.   The Holy Spirit testifies about and glorifies Jesus    No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3).  
He gives freedom to those who believe – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).   Do you need to be free in any area in your life?  You can have that through the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus.
He is the Spirit of Truth and guides us into all truth (John 14).   He strengthens and encourages the church, the body of Christ.  He causes growth in the ministry (Acts 9:31).  Our gifts are a manifestation of Him in us.   
He pours out the Father’s love into our hearts. (Romans 5:5).    He is our seal of salvation.    He is our deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).  
He is poured out on thirsty and dry land and turns it into fertile soil. (Isaiah 44:3)   
He IS NOT A spirit of fear and would never make us a slave to the spirit of fear.   Romans 8:15 tells us “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of Sonship.   And by him we cry, “”Abba,” Father.”

He is our witness and He himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.   
He is our prayer warrior and prays for us when we don’t know how to pray. (Romans 8:25-27)
His fruit becomes evident in our life when we walk in the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).    
Please don’t quench the Holy Spirit by following the dictates of the old Adam, the old nature.   Anything done in and of the old man quenches the Spirit, even good works (1 Thessalonians 5:19).   May you be filled with Holy Spirit as a new creation in Christ (Ephesians 5:18)!   Remember God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). 

Question: “What does it mean to test the spirits?”

Answer: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

In this verse believers are commanded to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” This same command is echoed in other parts of Scripture as well. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 we find Paul exhorting the Christians to not “despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.”

These two passages are just a few of the many that warn Christians to test the message that people or spirits proclaim. This is true in all situations but most importantly when a person or spirit is claiming to speak for God. Christians are to be discerning hearers and readers of all messages. The reason for the admonition to “test the spirits” or “test all things” is that there are “many false prophets” or “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that try to lead Christians astray. Sadly, there are many people who claim to speak for God who are presenting a false gospel that is powerless to save. Such errant teaching leaves people with a false hope of salvation and, in a way, inoculates them from the true message. People who are deceived into thinking everything is fine will be more resistant to the truth.

Second Corinthians 11:13-15 warns us that “such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” So the reason for testing the spirits, for testing all religious teaching, is to see if it is truly from God or if it is a lie from Satan and his servants.

The test is to compare what is being taught with the clear teaching of the Bible. The Bible alone is the Word of God; it alone is inspired and inerrant. Therefore, the way to test the spirits is to see if what is being taught is in line with the clear teaching of Scripture. In Acts 17:10-11 the Berean Jews were commended because, after they heard the teachings of Paul and Silas, they “examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” The Bereans were called “noble” for doing so.

Testing the spirits means that one must know how to “examine the Scriptures.” Rather than accept every teaching, discerning Christians diligently study the Scriptures. Then they know what the Bible says and therefore can “test all things and hold fast to what is true.” In order to do this, a Christian must “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). The Word of God is to be “a lamp” and “a light” to our path (Psalm 119:105). We must let its light shine on the teachings and doctrines of the day; the Bible alone is the standard by which all truth must be judged.