Life without Fear

Life without Fear. 2 Timothy 1.7

This week I have been at Northwestern University taking a mediation class in order to earn a certification that I believe will prove beneficial in many ways. But can we tawk? As I looked around the room and listened to folks on Monday morning, I realized that more than half of my classmates were/are attorneys, and some of the early content made me begin to rethink my native intelligence. Nonetheless, as I have obviously continued on, and am learning great things about helping folks come to resolutions, I have also met some highly fascinating people.

Last night, I went to dinner with my new friend Lynne from Rhode Island, a little blonde wisp of a thing, and a successful litigator and brilliant mind. Over dinner though I detected something that bothered me a great deal from listening to her stories—she is gripped by fear. And of course her fears come to her by way of her thoughts.

Which reminded me that life contains a good deal of sifting—sifting things that come at us, figuring and sorting them out . . . and regularly, sifting our never-ceasing thoughts, figuring out what to do with them . . . knowing which are from God, which are not. And then, having coming to terms, choosing to live from the best of those thoughts, in spite of what life deals us.

Paul wrote this short, super-charged verse to encourage and teach Timothy, but also to do what he had just told Timothy to do—to fan into flames the gift of God which was in him—that is, Paul was also reminding himself to persevere. He was reminding himself who he was, and whose he was, because while Timothy was ‘up against it’ as a young pastor in Ephesus, Paul was once again a Roman prisoner. Only … this time was different for Paul. Everything about it felt different; he was not just under house arrest, he was locked in a dank prison, and wicked, crazed Nero was on a tear. Christians were being burned at the stake for sport; the guy was sick. Paul knew it was not looking good for him—indeed, Paul would not likely survive this incarceration—rather, it appeared the end was near.

He writes, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”1

‘So, Timothy, Son—if you have thoughts that you just can’t do what God called you to do, thoughts of fear that folks will continue to rip away at your authority because you are young--thoughts of fear--they are not from God.’

Indeed, Paul’s first phrase provides an instant reality check for all of us; when fear knocks at our door, when it threatens to overwhelm, overtake or become a way of life for us, it is not from God. This is such a practical statement! Got fear? It ain’t from God. In fact, over and over again in Scripture, God specifically said, ‘Fear not!’ or ‘Do not be afraid!’ The spirit of fear is opposed to the Spirit of God, and does not emanate from him.

Rather, as people of genuine faith, God promises he has given us three things that equip us to be strong—power, love and a sound mind. All three come as a result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives—the Holy Spirit who lives in us.2 Without him, we are no different than any other Joe.

Power - The Greek word Paul used for power is dunamis, and it is the same word from which dynamite comes. It can be used of any kind of extraordinary power--the power of growth, the powers of nature, the power of a drug, or the power of a man’s genius. It always has the meaning of an effective power which does things and which any man can recognize."3 The Holy Spirit gives us power for living, and living well, especially when another course of action would be an easier route. Paul knew about this power, as it was what had enabled him to serve God and endure hardships of many kinds and yet be faithful. Neither intelligence, training nor experience can take the place of the Holy Spirit.

Love – The fruit of the Spirit is love, remember? Struggle with loving others? Perhaps you need to fan the flames of the faith that is within you, giving the Holy Spirit access to the deepest parts of yourself, allowing him to regenerate your heart.

Sound mind – Perhaps a sound mind is best noted by the language or behavior that emerges from it. The Greek word Paul used is sophronismos - an “admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control”.4 Again, one of the earmarks of a life filled with the Holy Spirit is indeed self control! The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.5

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Let us then choose to intentionally live a life without fear!

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 - 2 Timothy 1.7

2 – 1 Corinthians 6.19

3 – William Barclay, The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press

4 – Thayer’s Greek lexicon

5 – Galatians 5.22-23a