FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real

 

2 Timothy 1: 5-7:

“⁵ I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. ⁶ This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

Paul is writing to Timothy after they parted from each other.  Paul talks about the tears that they shed when they last were together and how he longed to see Timothy again.  He reminds Timothy of his genuine faith that first filled his grandmother and mother.  Timothy had a heritage of women of faith, Lois and Eunice. 

Paul admonished Timothy to “stir up” the gifts that God had given to him when he laid hands on him.  He wanted him to endure and to preserve even though they were not together.  He was encouraging him not to be ashamed of his testimony of Jesus Christ.

He wanted Timothy to remember that God didn’t give him a spirit of fear and timidity. Timidity means a lack of courage or confidence.  God had given to Timothy power, love, and sound mind.  He already the ability to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, love which is the fruit of the Spirit, and a sound (confident) mind.  He did not have to be afraid and neither do we. 

Why was Timothy afraid though?  He was meeting opposition as a leader. He was young and people were trying to intimidate him because of his youth.  Timothy was Paul’s protégé and the Pastor at the church in Ephesus. Paul was reminding him that God – who is all powerful, had given him access by the Holy Spirit to His power.  He did not have to walk or live in fear because God was with him. Paul encouraged him to proclaim the gospel with boldness.

And so it is today, you and I do not have to live or walk in fear. If you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you, you have access to the same power that rose Jesus from the dead.  We have the same promise of power, love, and a sound mind.  We too can be courageous, love one another, and be confident in Jesus.  We must rely on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us as we live by the spirit. 

Fear is to feel a painful apprehension of some impending evil; to be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening.  The enemy will try to make us afraid of what will happen if we move forward in what God has called us to do. We must not allow fear – false evidence that appears to be real- to stop us from moving forward.

Be brave, be encouraged.  God is with you and He will take care of you.  Don’t let the enemy scare you; you have not been given the spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind.

God bless you.