“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).
Paul encouraged Timothy, his “dear son” in the Lord, to overcome fear, knowing that it didn’t come from God. Timothy was Paul’s young protege, but he wasn’t yet as bold and confident as Paul. Even though Paul had left him in charge of the church at Ephesus, it seems he sometimes struggled because people looked down on him because of his youth (1 Tim. 4:12). So, Paul reminded him of his spiritual heritage, his ordination and of the “power, love and self-discipline” that was his in Christ Jesus.
The word “fear” that Paul used might also be translated “timidity,” or “fearfulness.” The weight of responsibility and the constant challenge of pastoring a church in one of the largest cities in the Roman empire was no doubt heavy on young Timothy’s shoulders.
The “spirit of fear” that assailed Timothy was not from God. It may have been from the evil one, but more likely it was of the fleshly kind, the kind that comes from self-doubt. This kind of fear is the opposite of faith and must be put off. Paul told him to rely on the “power’ that had raised Christ from the dead and now belonged to him. He told him to draw on the “love” of God that had motivated Him to send His only Son. Finally, Paul told Timothy to think clearly with “self-discipline,” or a “sound mind,” which is the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) when considering the source of his fear, so that his fear would evaporate like a mist.
Are you suffering under a “spirit of fear” today? Put off fleshly fear and put on the power, love and thinking of Christ!
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us when we are overcome by anxieties and fear. Help us to turn our fear into faith as we trust You with every detail of our lives. Give us the sound mind of wisdom that comes from the Spirit of Christ. Sanctify our thinking that we might serve You this day and always. In Jesus’ name, amen.