Text: 2 Timothy 1:5-8
“For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelled in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.”
Paul’s second letter to Timothy, his final epistle before his martyrdom for Christ, offers a poignant and powerful charge. Timothy, a young minister, was navigating particularly tough times. He faced opposition to Paul and his ministry, witnessed leaders deviating from sound doctrine, and endured challenges to his own ministry due to his youth. The result: Timothy was becoming reluctant in his work and not fully utilizing his potential in ministry.
This scenario highlights a common struggle for many young ministers, servants of God, and indeed, all Christians: the insidious influence of timidity and cowardice.
Understanding the Spirit of Timidity
The Greek word for “timidity” here is deilia, which encompasses fear, cowardice, and hesitation. Its synonyms include concern, worry, apprehension, inhibition, constraint, embarrassment, and indecision. Conversely, its antonyms are boldness, audacity, nerve, guts, resolution, decisiveness, and confidence.
Timidity manifests when:
- We hesitate in our work due to external factors.
- We feel embarrassed by the work we are called to do or the Word we are proclaiming.
- We are indecisive in our commitment to Christ and His calling.
- We hold back words or decisions that might offend others or make us appear foolish.
Paul saw this spirit of timidity as a significant hindrance to effective ministry and an outright enemy of the faith.
Timidity Can Stunt One’s Faith
Timidity has the power to stunt—to stop, hold, block, halt, or shrink—one’s faith. In Timothy’s case, Paul acknowledges his sincere faith, inherited from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Tim 1:5). Yet, the fact that Timothy was neglecting his spiritual gift clearly indicates that his faith in God and his God-given abilities were being stunted.
Consider Jesus’ disciples during the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:39-40). Jesus rebuked the wind and sea, then turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” This question forced them to confront whether they truly believed in their Master, despite their professional expertise as fishermen. Timidity is an attitude that seeks to rationalize a difficult situation instead of placing unwavering trust in God and His promises. It feeds on our physical and earthly needs, concerns, and desires for comfort.
Timidity Can Block One’s Gift
Timothy possessed a spiritual gift, granted through prophecy and the laying on of hands by the council of elders (1 Tim 4:14). His call was specifically to evangelism (2 Tim 4:5). Yet, his timidity was affecting its proper use, leading Paul to remind him to “kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Tim 1:6).
Timidity prevents one’s gift from reaching its full potential. It’s a spirit that thrives on the fear of failure, asking “what if…?” Jon Courson’s commentary aptly illustrates this:
- “If I share that word of prophecy—what if people don’t understand?”
- “If I give that utterance in tongues—what if there’s no interpretation?”
- “If I witness on my campus or at my job—what if people think I’m a Holy Joe?”
- “If I lay hands on that sick person and he’s not healed—people will think I’m a failure.”
Timidity also feeds on slackness or negligence, manifesting in attitudes like “bahala na” (whatever happens) or “pwede na yan” (that’s good enough).
Paul’s admonitions to Timothy provide the antidote:
- Kindle afresh your gift (2 Tim 1:6): This means to understand it and actively use it.
- Be diligent in the word of truth (2 Tim 2:15): “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.”
- Find ways to use your gift (2 Tim 4:1-2): “I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.”
Timidity Can Prevent One’s Testimony
Timothy’s timidity was holding him back from boldly testifying about the work of God (2 Tim 1:8). Timidity feeds on shame:
- When we are ashamed of aspects of the Gospel that we struggle to defend.
- When we are ashamed of a minister’s background or past.
- When we are ashamed of what people perceive in the ministry itself.
Paul’s powerful admonition is clear: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God.” We must not be ashamed of the Lord’s testimony or His servants, but rather be proud of our testimony. Why? Because there is nothing inherently shameful in the Gospel itself, and God’s grace covers all human faults. We are called to “join with” our ministers in suffering, embracing the hardships that come with proclaiming the Gospel.
The Divine Antidote: Power, Love, and Discipline
The antidote to the spirit of timidity is found in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” The word “spirit” here refers to a mindset, conviction, perspective, state of mind, or character. When God bestows a gift in your life, it inherently comes with the right “spirit” or mindset. It does not come with a spirit of timidity!
Instead, God’s gift comes with:
- Power: To enable you to courageously exercise your gift and to exercise your faith. This is divine enablement, not human strength.
- Love: To enable you to suffer gladly. True agape love empowers us to endure hardship for the sake of others and the Gospel.
- Discipline (or self-control): To enable you to produce the right testimony and to glorify God through your ministry. This discipline is not merely human willpower, but a Spirit-empowered ability to live a life worthy of the calling.
Conclusion
The spirit of timidity is a deceptive enemy that seeks to hinder our faith, block our spiritual gifts, and silence our testimony. But God, in His infinite wisdom and grace, has equipped us with everything we need to overcome it. He has not given us a spirit of fear or hesitation, but a spirit characterized by dynamic power, selfless love, and resolute discipline.
Let us, therefore, boldly stir up the gift within us. Let us walk confidently in the power of God, motivated by His love, and guided by His divine discipline. Only then can we truly live out our calling, proclaiming the Gospel without shame, and bringing glory to the One who has delivered us from the chains of timidity.
