Read 2 Timothy 1:1–7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power,
of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
It is the Holy Spirit who enables us to serve God, and through Him
we can overcome fear and weakness. The word fear in 2 Timothy 1:7
(KJV) means “timidity, cowardice.” It is futile for us to try to serve God
without the power of the Holy Spirit. Talent, training, and experience
cannot take the place of the power of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit also
gives us love. If we have love for lost souls and for the people of God,
we will be able to endure suffering and accomplish the work of God.
Selfishness leads to fear because, if we are selfish, we are interested
only in what we will get out of serving God, and we will be afraid of
losing prestige, power, or money.
True Christian love, energized by the Spirit (Rom. 5:5), enables
us to sacrifice for others and not be afraid. The Spirit gives love (Gal.
5:22). He is also the One who gives self-control. “Self-discipline”
(2 Tim. 1:7 NIV) is a better translation than “sound mind” (KJV). It
describes a person who is sensibly minded and balanced, who has
his life under control. The Amplified Version reads, “calm and wellbalanced mind and discipline and self-control.”
Something to Ponder
When have you experienced a “spirit of timidity” in your faith?