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Timothy was far away from his mentor, Paul. “He was timid ... and was tempted to let
other people take advantage of him and not assert his authority as pastor,” my
commentary said of Timothy.
Paul, writing from a Roman prison and knowing that his death
sentence would soon be carried out, was writing to fan the spiritual flame in
Timothy before that time. “God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.”
Paul also addressed Timothy’s natural shyness, saying, “I am not ashamed because I know Jesus.”
The church at Ephesus had abandoned Paul while he’d been
imprisoned, but Timothy hadn’t. Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy stayed
the course. So he added, “Protect the truth that you were given;
protect it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
I think Paul’s words are just as important to us today. The Holy Spirit resides IN our hearts,
all the time. Even so, we can make up our minds to willfully
sin. When we do, we are making a choice for that spirit that makes us afraid (which comes not from
God but from Satan) rather than that spirit of power and love and
self-control. We are choosing fear rather than power!
Sin follows stupidity.
Father, I too know Jesus. I too have been given that spirit of power
and love and self-control. When I’m tempted to sin, remind me of
that. Fan the flame of self-control
particularly, Father, with that spirit of power. Use them to protect the truth I’ve been
given, for my body is Your
temple. Protect this house.
Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford
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