Don’t Be Intimidated!
Today, I want to challenge and encourage you.
“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. . . 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.” (2 Timothy 1:1-7)
Paul had assigned his spiritual son, Timothy, to lead the Ekklesia (the church) in Ephesus. Timothy was a young man at the time, 30-ish. This assignment would have been difficult for anyone, but to a young 30-year-old, it was very challenging. Some background information on Ephesus will be helpful:
Ephesus was the capital of a Roman province in Asia and the fourth greatest city in the world, after Rome, Alexandria in Egypt, and Antioch of Syria. Called “the mother city of Asia.” Major roads connected Ephesus to all the other significant cities in Asia Minor.
Ephesus was known for its amphitheater, the largest in the world, designed to hold up to 50,000 spectators. It was also the location of the great temple of Artemis, or Diana, built in 550 BC. This temple [was] one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World….Much of the Ephesian industry was related to this temple. Craftsmen sold shrines and household images of the goddess that worshipers could take with them on long journeys. The Ephesians were very proud of their religious heritage (Acts 19:35).(1)
Ephesus became Paul’s headquarters for two years after he planted the church there (Acts 19:10). A short time later, he assigned Timothy the responsibility of overseeing this church, which was not one building or congregation as we would picture it today, but the entire body of Christ in Ephesus.
Scripture mentions several significant spiritual events that occurred at Ephesus over a 35-year time period.(2) Here are a few:
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, such that even handkerchiefs and aprons touched by him healed sickness and cast out demons (Acts 19:11-12).
Paul wrote the epistle of 1 Corinthians.
Many new believers “who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone” (Acts 19:19; BSB). The total value of the sorcery books destroyed was 50,000 silver pieces.
Timothy was assigned his first pastorate (1 Timothy 1:3).
It is thought that the apostle John and Jesus’ mother, Mary, lived in Ephesus after Jesus returned to heaven (see John 19:26–27).
Jesus directed one of His seven letters in the book of Revelation to Ephesus (Revelation 2:1–7).
It is easy to see how intimidating it could have been for a young man in his early thirties to be charged with overseeing this great work located in such an influential but very ungodly city. Timothy was no doubt mature for his age, having been raised by a godly mother and grandmother, and mentored by Paul while traveling with him on his journeys. Paul would not have placed him there had he not been confident Timothy could fulfill this assignment. Nevertheless, it was extremely difficult and had begun to take its toll on this young man. Persecution, false teachers, the city being an international hub of sorcery and witchcraft, great immorality, strife in the church - exacerbated by disrespect from older men because of his young age - these pressures and more were wearing Timothy down. He was discouraged and intimidated.
Paul knew that before he left for heaven, Timothy would need further instruction and encouragement from him. Thus, a second letter was written to his spiritual son, Timothy - the last letter Paul would write before being martyred. He began with the important words shared in our opening.
Paul begins by affirming his love for Timothy, releasing to him a blessing, then assures Timothy that he is praying diligently for him. He then states his confidence in Timothy: “I know the faith that is in you, imparted from your grandmother and mother, and also the gift I imported to you through the laying on of my hands” (v. 5-6). Paul was encouraging Timothy. His words were stating, “You can do this!”
Then, this wise, apostolic spiritual father became stronger in his exhortation. Now, I’m instructing you, Timothy, to stir up (KJV), kindle afresh (NASB) the gift I put in you! (v. 6). Notice: God would not do this for Timothy, nor would Paul. Timothy himself would have to do it!
The Greek word used for “stir up” is anazopureo.(3) It is only used this one time in the New Testament and is made of three different Greek words. Ana(4) means “again;” zoe(5) is “life,” and pureo(6) from pur, means “fire or lightning.” Life, fire, again. Paul was telling Timothy, I know what is in you, because I put it there by the power of Holy Spirit. Now I need for you to rise up and fan the flame, blow on the embers. Get the life flowing, the fire burning, again! This is a very strong exhortation.
The verb tense of anazopureo indicates continuous or repeated action: You will need to do this repeatedly, continuously, Timothy. One time won’t be adequate. I need you to really press into this! With the faith in you, speak life and fire into your gifts. Make them come alive and burn with passion. YOU do this! God’s power (dunamis),(7) His love (agape),(8) discipline, self-control, and soundness of mind (sophronismos)(9) were also given to you. Get these forces working in you again (v.7).
Then Paul adds one more thing, reminding Timothy of what he had NOT been given: “God has not given us a spirit of timidity” (v. 7). Though some translations say “fear” instead of “timidity,” the Greek word is deilia,(10) not phobos.(11) Phobos would mean a phobia or terror type of fear. Paul knew Timothy wasn’t dealing with a phobia, but with intimidation. The words timid, timidity, and intimidation are all related.
Satan is intimidating you, son, Paul was stating, telling you you’re too young, you don’t have faith, your gifts aren’t adequate for this job, the warfare is too great…This has brought you intimidation and timidity, eroding your confidence and causing your fire and passion to wane. You’re not walking in the power of God’s life in you. But these are all lies. You are NOT weak, timid, or insecure. You’re strong! Gifted! Full of faith! And well able to do this.
This Is a Word for Us
As God’s remnant prayer army, His emerging Ekklesia, we too have been assigned a great challenge. Our nation is facing great evil, incompetent and lying leaders, abhorrent immorality, and much more. We could easily become discouraged and intimidated, just as Timothy did.
But we ARE called, equipped, empowered, and anointed for such a time as this. Fan the flames of Holy Spirit fire in you! Command them to burn! Speak to the life of God in you and command it to rise up! Stir yourself up in your holy faith! Reject every demonic lie trying to convince you that the giants of the land are too big!
We are well able to take the land!
Pray with me:
Father, as Your Ekklesia, the church, finds itself in one of the most critical seasons in America’s history, I pray for the refreshing wind of heaven to blow on us. Re-fill us with Holy Spirit. Give us tenacious hearts and minds in this season, enabling us to fan the flames of passion within.
Remind us of who we are in Christ. Remind us that we are filled with Your glorious life. Remind us that we have been called for such a time as this. Remind us that we are more than conquerors through You and Your love. Remind us that Holy Spirit, the Greater One, lives within to help and lead. Remind us that we can do all things through the exalted Christ indwelling in us. Remind us of Your heart to redeem and restore. Remind us that satan was defeated, and redemption is finished.
And now, as tens of thousands of us around the world agree in prayer, creating synergy and multiplication, we break off the church all fear, intimidation, lethargy, complacency, and lukewarmness. We fan the flames of passion and faith. And we declare together that we are well able to possess the land! The name of Jesus seals this! Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that all intimidation is broken off the Ekklesia and the spirit of faith is prevailing.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
“What is the significance of Ephesus in the Bible?” Got Questions, 4 January 2022, https://www.gotquestions.org/Ephesus-in-the-Bible.html. Accessed 16 July 2024.
Ibid
James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990. ref. No. G329.
Ibid. Ref. no. G303.
Ibid. Ref. no. G2222.
Ibid. Ref. no. G4442.
Ibid. Ref. no. G1411.
Ibid. Ref. no. G26.
Ibid. Ref. no. G4995.
Ibid. Ref. no. G1167.
Ibid. Ref. no. G5401.
Life has been so busy lately I am thinkful for your "Give Him 15" as a time to stop and reflect. Thank you and may God Bless you. Have a Merry Christmas Season.