2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
The word “fear” here in 2nd Timothy is only used with this meaning this one time in the New Testament according to Strongs Hebrew and Greek dictionary. NT:1167 - fear; timidity:
It comes from a word that means; NT:1169 (dread); timid, i.e. (by implication) faithless: this word is used three times in the New Testament. Mark 4:40, Matthew 8:26, in the question of Jesus to the disciples: "Why are you afraid?” Also in Revelations 21:8 includes unbelievers in a list with cowards. But the cowardly (fearful), unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
I gave you these definitions to help you understand that feeling of fear does not come from God.
Another derivative of this word is found in John 14:27 when Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
The Word of God commands us to fear God, to respect and be in admiration of the Lord. We sometime are afraid of things and such and events may scare us. But God does not want us to be controlled by a spirit of timidness, faithlessness and cowardness.
The Apostle Paul is writing to his son in the gospel Timothy, pushes Timothy to stir up the gift of God and not be afraid. Paul reminds Timothy that his gifts were seen in his family and Paul is sure that such anointing is in Timothy’s life. He tells the young man he felt it when he laid hands on him. Timothy must have been dealing with fear or being afraid to walk by faith. Timothy is worrying over way too much and Paul is letting him know you didn’t get that feeling of fear from God. This spirit of fear must be overcome because it is linked with those who are cast into hell in Revelations 21:8
Paul goes on to tell Timothy God doesn’t give this spirit but God gives instead, power, love and sound mind which is self-control and discipline.
This spirit of fear must be overcame, it is not from the Almighty so there is only one other spirit world that can give such a feeling. It is no wonder that it is linked with such horrible sins in Revelations. We see fear come on the scene in this world just after man sinned in the garden and failed God. When satan tricks Adam and Eve we find them telling God they were afraid and hid from the Lord. Before humanity knew anything about hate, strife, jealousy, or any other negative emotions, he felt cowardly fear. “I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid” (Genesis 3:10 NKJV). Sin brought with it fear!
Fear is a spirit, disguised often as an emotion; that is one of the reasons it is tough to defeat.
Because it is really a spirit it must be dealt with as a spirit, or it will dominate a person and cause us to be lost. The way it is dealt with is to replace it with what Paul told Timothy that Jesus gives instead of the spirit of fear, that is; power, love and sound mind.
The Spirit Jesus gives is the Holy Ghost power. The word power that Paul uses in 2 Timothy 1:7 is the same word Jesus used in Acts 1:8. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." The power of the Holy Ghost conquerors this spirit of fear. Getting full of the Holy Ghost brings a faith and trust in the Almighty. If we plan to defeat fear we will need to keep the Holy Ghost oil in our vessel.
Paul also said that God gives a spirit of love instead of fear. The writer of first John said; There is no fear in love; but perfect (mature) love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect (mature) in love. 1 John 4:18 NKJV
The word perfect here means a full stature of a man; we would say a mature person. So, mature love cast out fear… the person who fears is not mature in love. When our lives get filled with love for God, a trust is born within us, and we give ourselves over to believing God and acting in faith. We believe that God really knows better about our lives than we do. We trust Him to do what is best in our lives because we love Him. The scripture then comes to life in us with a better understanding. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 KJV Don’t miss all this scripture. All things do work together for those people who really love god with their lives and are doing His purpose with that life. We can’t claim the first part of this verse without living the last part.
The same hold true for Ephesians 3:20. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think… (But the verse doesn’t stop there.) …according to the power that worketh in us. (Power here is same word as Acts 1:8) God will do and work beyond our thinking and our asking but again the promise is measure according to the power of God in our lives.
When we really love God we trust the purpose and plan that He has designed for us. It is this confidence and trust that causes us to love God and cast out the fears that torments us. When fear is gone we gladly step into the purpose of the Lord. Paul encouraged Timothy to trust God’s plan. We often battle fear because we don’t believe that God will do the right thing in our life so we keep trying to do our own thing.
This leads to the third thing Paul tells Timothy that the Lord gives in place of fear. The KJV uses sound mind. The original text says this word comes from another word that means, to make of sound mind that is to discipline or correct – teach to be sober. The word its self means self-control, disciplined.
One commentary puts it like this: Sound mind implies much more; it means a clear understanding, a sound judgment, a corrected will, holy passions, heavenly tempers; in a word, the whole soul harmonized in all its powers and faculties; and completely regulated and influenced, so as to think, speak, and act aright in all things. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)
The spirit of fear will take much from you. Worry, fear fretting and faithlessness will take the living out of you. Can you trust God with your life?
The other day in prayer after asking God a list of things I felt I needed, I ask God to answer me according to the plan He has for me. I want God to answer my prayers in line with what He desires in my life and His will for my life. Yes, its sometime tuff to pray but if one really means it there is a peace that knows He does all things well. I really want to live my life for God behind the shield of faith. It is safer there. The like the Psalmist said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 56:3
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