Occasionally, I will submit a blog entry that is comprised of paraphrases and/or sound bites from other extensive teachings available at ITN. Unfortunately, in my attempt at brevity, details are omitted and the reader is left to “fill in the blanks.” Such was the case in Monday’s blog on “Mindset for the Workplace.”
2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” If this is so (and this verse clearly states that fact), how can fear be a gift of God? At the very least, a contradiction seems to exist. In order to understand the point I was making (and more importantly, understand what Paul was addressing as he wrote to Timothy), we must differentiate between the spirit of fear and the emotion of fear. The former refers to an individual who walks in fear; this person’s disposition is defined by timidity. The latter represents those who are generally steadfast in their faith, but experience the occasional emotion of fear. When Paul writes to Timothy, he is addressing the spirit of fear.
We can draw a parallel between the joy of the Lord (constant) and the emotion of happiness (fleeting); joy is present irregardless of circumstances, happiness is predicated on favorable circumstances. Based on this premise, when we experience the emotion of fear it serves as an indicator that we have momentarily taken our eyes off of God and his ability to sustain and keep us. In this sense, fear is a gift. Why? Because it enables us to regain God’s prospective and rest in his sovereignty.
I apologize for any angst this posting may have caused. Thank you so much for your responses and please keep your questions and comments coming!
Grace and Peace!
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4 comments:
Thanks for the clarification.
Hi Pastor-I made a comment right after I read the mind set in the work place...... I to this day have not seen any of the comments that I placed to you...But you "must" realize that God DOES not give you a gift of FEAR! II Timothy 1:7 does say that God does not give us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and sound mind........God gave us the gift of his power....Guess it just plain bothers me that people will read that and think that they should walk in fear..........THAT IS NO OF GOD............
PAT
4/25/2008
Thanks for responding pastor.
Timothy at the age of 15/16 had a big duty to perform given by Paul through the Holy Spirit to carry on his work in telling the people about Jesus. (instructions to Timothy ITim 4) We all should follow this example as more people are turning away from God and following after the flesh. A lot are being lead away by false prophets..
Peace, Blessings and prosperity to you and your family
Sorry Pastor but forgot to say that fear is fear no matter what and we are not to walk in it. The closer we are in relationship with God the less it surfaces.
All the old testament God says, "Do not fear for I am with you." He is the same today, and we have the power of the Holy Spirit.
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