Intimidation

2 Timothy 1:5–8 ESV

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Intimidation

2 Timothy 1:5–8 ESV

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,

Last week we talked about temptation. Today we talk about intimidation.

 (HCSB) clearly recalling your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois, then in your mother Eunice, and that I am convinced is in you also.

6 Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.

8 So don’t be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God.

Context: Time of persecution. Paul is in jail. There is pressure on Timothy (especially false teachers in the church).

Paul reminds him of his spiritual roots

He reminds him to keep the spiritual gifts alive

He encourages him not to be timid

He connects it to suffering and courage.

Vs 7

Carries the idea of running from a battle or sending someone in your place because you are afraid. It brings avoidance and withdr

(NIV): 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

(NLT): 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

(NKJV): 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(ESV): 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.): 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Context: Time of persecution. Paul is in jail. There is pressure on Timothy (especially false teachers in the church).

Paul reminds him of his spiritual roots

He reminds him to keep the spiritual gifts alive

He encourages him not to be timid

He connects it to suffering and courage.

Timidity

“fearfulness, fear, timidity”

TLNT — faintheartedness

BDAG — lack of mental or moral strength, cowardice, timidity

Synonyms of the NT — opposite of manliness (the ten spies)

Carries the idea of running from a battle or sending someone in your place because you are afraid. It brings avoidance and withdrawal.

With Timothy, the context is persecution and hardship for the sake of Christ.

Paul anchors him in the roots of his faith, the gifts of God, and the spirit’s power.

Power, Love, Sophronismos

‘Power’ — dunamis — God’s ability in you.

‘love’ — agape — the love of God. Self-sacrificial love.

‘Sound judgment, self-control, self-discipline, sound mind’ — sophronismos — untranslatable into a single word. The concept of the word group is vast in Greek thought and carries different nuances based on context and focus.

The Zulu tribe speaks Banta. Their greeting is sawubona. It means, “I see you, you are important to me and I value you.” That’s a lot of meaning that can’t be translated into a single word.

The word group has two basic and significant meanings.

Sound minded, prudent, reasonable

Prudent, self-controled — living an ordered life.

The specific word in is used only once in the NT. This specific word carries both elements — soundness of mind resulting in moderated behaviour.

The basis of your faith

Last week we talked about temptation. Today we talk about intimidation.

When God tells us that he has given us the spirit of power, love and sound judgment / self-control, he directly contrasts these three traits with timidity and cowardice.

We have the power — the ability to obey God

We have the love — the motivation to do what is best

We have the capacity for soundness of mind and self-control — the clarity of thought and ability to follow through on what is right and true.

We all face intimidation in various ways. It can be about a job, a task, a person, sharing our faith, standing up for something, etc.

Personal story: naturally timid. Teenage boldness was proportional to my surrender and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Your circumstances can intimidate you. Your future can intimidate you. Relationships can intimidate you.

The spirit God gave us enables us to walk in his power, to be motivated by love, and to think clearly and act accordingly — to order our lives aright.

Don’t let intimidation stop you from pressing into God and keeping the flame alive. Don’t let intimidation stop you from living your faith out loud.

We all face intimidation in various ways. It can be about a job, a task, a person, sharing our faith, standing up for something, etc.

What God has put into you

Personal story: naturally timid. Teenage boldness was proportional to my surrender and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

Personal story: Radio Shack — less timid because of company policies and backing, and the manager was there (HS). I knew I had the backing I needed to stand my ground. Compare with cold-calls & returns.

The spirit’s work in you

Don’t let intimidation stop you from pressing into God and keeping the flame alive. Don’t let intimidation stop you from living your faith out loud.