March 18, 2026
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Fan the Flames!
“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 1:6-7; NASB).
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.
With a population of several hundred thousand people, Ephesus was the capital of a Roman province in Asia and was considered the fourth greatest city in the world, after Rome, Alexandria in Egypt, and Antioch of Syria. Called ‘the mother city of Asia,’ it was a significant center of trade, with major roads connecting 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, also called 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, generating millions of dollars by today’s standards. 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 a church there (Acts 19:10). A short time later, he assigned Timothy the responsibility of overseeing this Ekklesia. It was not one building or congregation, as we would picture it today, but included the entire body of Christ in the city, which likely met in homes.
In the book of Revelation, written in AD 96, thirty years after his letter to Timothy, Jesus commended the Ephesians church for several things: their hard work, perseverance, rejection of false teaching, endurance, and hatred of sin (Revelation 2:2-3). He also rebuked them, however, saying, “You have left your first love” (Revelation 2:4). The believers at Ephesus, struggling beneath the weight of a godless and immoral culture, had maintained commendable outward religious activities, but internally they had lost their passion for Christ.
It is easy to see how intimidating it could be for a young man in his early 30s to be charged with overseeing this major work in such an influential, but very ungodly, city. It was obviously very difficult and was taking a 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, intimidated, and even struggling to release his God-given gifts.
Paul knew he was about to leave earth for heaven. He also knew, however, that as Timothy’s spiritual father, the young leader needed a word from him before he departed. Thus, a second epistle/letter was written to Timothy - the last letter Paul would write before his martyrdom.
Paul begins by affirming his love for Timothy as a spiritual son and speaks a blessing of grace, mercy, and peace to him (v. 2). Paul then assures Timothy that he is praying diligently for him - night and day (v. 3). Then he states his confidence in Timothy: “I know the faith that is in you, imparted from your grandmother and mother, and also the gift I imparted to you through the laying on of my hands” (v. 5-6). Paul was encouraging Timothy and telling him, “You can do this!”
Then this wise, apostolic spiritual father became much stronger in his exhortation. “Now, I’m instructing you, Timothy, to stir up (KJV), kindle afresh (NAS) the gift I put in you!” (v. 6). Notice: God would not do this for him, nor would Paul. Timothy would have to stir up his gifts!
The Greek word used for “stir up,” anazopureo,(2) is challenging to translate. Only used this one time in the New Testament, it is compounded of 3 different Greek words. Ana(3) means “again;” zo(4) is a shortened version of zoe, the life of God, and pureo(5) is from pur, meaning “fire or lightning.” Paul was essentially telling Timothy, “I know the gifts that are in you, because I put them there by the power of Holy Spirit. Now I need for you to rise up in faith and fan the flame, blow on the embers. Get the life flowing and the fire burning again!” This is a very strong exhortation.
Also, and this is important, the verb tense of this compound word 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 must do this! God’s unequaled power (dunamis),(6) His unconditional love (agape),(7) and discipline (sophronismos)(8) were also given to you. Now YOU get those forces working in you again (v.7).
Paul does one more thing in these opening remarks; he reminds 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,(9) not phobos.(10) Phobos would mean a phobia type of fear, such as a fear of harm. Paul knew Timothy wasn’t dealing with that kind of fear, but with deilia - intimidation, timidity, insecurity, the fear of man.
“Satan is intimidating you, son,” Paul was saying, “He is telling you you’re too young, you don’t have faith, your gifts aren’t adequate for this job, the warfare is too great…These accusations have brought 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 accusations 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 prayer army, His Ekklesia throughout the world, we are facing great challenges: war, great evil, incompetent and lying political leaders, abhorrent immorality, and much more. We in America are facing incredible challenges regarding these and other issues. We could easily become discouraged and intimidated, just as Timothy did, doubting our ability to accomplish God’s purposes.
My goal today is to make sure this doesn’t happen. We ARE called, equipped, empowered, and anointed for such a time as this. Engage your passion and 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 are too big!
We are well able to take back America and see revival around the world!
Pray with me:
Father, we pray for the refreshing wind of heaven to blow on Your Ekklesia, the church. Re-fill us with Holy Spirit. Give us tenacious hearts and minds in this challenging season, motivating us to fan the flames of passion within.
Remind us of who we are, 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, and that Holy Spirit, the Greater One, lives within to help and lead us. Remind us that we can do all things through the exalted Christ indwelling us. Remind us of Your heart to redeem and restore. Remind us that satan was defeated, and that redemption is finished.
We agree together and break off of the church all fear, intimidation, lethargy, complacency, and lukewarmness. We fan the flames of passion and faith, and declare together that we are well able to accomplish Your purposes! The name of Jesus seals this!
Our decree:
We decree that all intimidation is broken off of the Ekklesia, the fire of Holy Spirit is burning, and that the spirit of faith is prevailing.
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James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. No. 329.
Ibid. Ref. no. 303.
Ibid. Ref. no. 2222.
Ibid. Ref. no. 4442.
Ibid. Ref. no. 1411.
Ibid. Ref. no. 26.
Ibid. Ref. no. 4995.
Ibid. Ref. no. 1167.
Ibid. Ref. no. 5401.