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
“I dare you! Chicken!” Oh how those words galvanized childhood determination! I remember the foolhardy efforts I sometimes took to avoid being called a coward in the games we played in my neighborhood. Fortunately, I survived my courage. Following Jesus in the act of pouring out your life requires courage. However, God does not provoke us by calling us names. Instead by paying attention to Him, His Holy Spirit creates a new unction for courage that will be translated into effective and loving leadership.
In verse 6 Paul reminded Timothy that God has gifted him for the pastoral ministry to which he has been called. Timothy’s gifting seems to have been largely in the administrative and pastoral realms (2 Timothy 4:1-5), although Paul does call him to do the work of an evangelist. At the time of Paul’s writing, the Church in Ephesus was likely still reeling from the false teachings of a divisive group of people (1 Timothy 1:3-7). Paul had feared for the Church when he last met with the elders of the church on the beach of Miletus. There he said, “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears” (Acts 20:29-30). Timothy’s assignment required confrontation–the church of Ephesus had been under the influence of people who taught false doctrines, devoted themselves to myths and genealogies–meaningless talk, and promoted controversies rather than faith, love and a sincere devotion (1 Timothy 1:3-7). And confrontation requires courage.
When God gifts us for ministry and when we accept our context in life as the place of our assignment for seeing the Kingdom of God come, we can also be sure that God can provide the internal motivation necessary to “get into the game.” Timidity will keep us “out of the game.” Paul must have been aware that Timothy wrestled with a fear that created reservations and inertia. I’ve been there; its possible to spiritualize internal fears and hesitations. We need to hear this word: God did not give us a spirit of timidity. The Holy Spirit does not produce “cowardice.” So if I am tempted to believe this fear is from God, Paul would say it is not. (Don’t confuse this with “waiting on God.” Waiting in its truest sense is often an act of courage.) Cowardice is the reserve that limits my personal engagement of the gifts God has given me in relationship to the people with whom I share life.
Instead the Holy Spirit produces an attitude, a spirit, an internal unction that is marked by power, love, and self-discipline. Power is forcefulness, a bold authority that firmly enters chaos. Love is the yielding of selfishness and personal concern, a promotion of God’s grace in the face of difficult people. And self-discipline is the soundness of mind that is necessary to put power and love together, a provision of godly counsel and spiritual direction. When we meet God and follow Jesus into His way of life, the Holy Spirit produces a life that is anti-coward.
