Fear 01 (A re-tread)

Fear 01

Fear is NOT “bad!”  Fear is not a “sin.”  Fear, like pain is a gift.

Certainly fear (being afraid – not awe) is a result of the Fall and in that way it’s not “good,” but it is a condition we have to deal with (like pain – which is not a “sin” either).

My very first sermon was on the text of 2Tim. 1:7 

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

This was the start of my interest in fear as something that had to be dealt with in the life of the believer.  So, I’ll start here.

The word translated “fear” in this verse is the Greek word: δειλία  deilia:  1) timidity, fearfulness, cowardice. 

“Fear” isn’t such a good translation because of how we use fear in our everyday conversation.  Timidity is perhaps much better.  “Faithless” is also implied by the word.  Synonyms of the term are “small souled,” or “fainthearted.”  The idea of “dread,” is also part of the meaning.

CONTEXT !

Paul is addressing a specific circumstance in his letter to Timothy.  Timothy is a preacher, a believer of Jewish descent and one of the few whom Paul consented to have circumcised.  Timothy may well have been a magnet for criticism, especially from those seeking the Judaize the Church. 

Paul precedes his proclamation concerning fear with:

2Tim. 1:6 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,

Had the “flame” begun to die?  Was it perhaps being smothered by opposition?  It appears that Timothy was growing timid in his use of the “gift of God.” 

It does appear that there were two issues which would have pressured Timothy.  The first is perhaps criticism of Paul since Paul follows these verses with a defense of his ministry.  Paul, being a lightning rod for Jewish antagonism and persecution would have been a natural part of any argument put up by the Judaizes. 

Just look at this Paul, pursued, punished, on the run.  How could he be a man of God with all the bad things that happen to him?  How could he be speaking the truth when all men oppose him?  He makes trouble everywhere he goes!

Paul follows verse 8 with almost an apologetic concerning his ministry.  In short he tells Timothy that it is not about him (Paul), it is about the Gospel.

The second issue facing Timothy are false teachers who seek (in whatever direction) to twist the gospel to their own lusts and affections.  It appears Timothy is working a new group of believers, a group yet without structure or leadership and in the midst of this it is under attack internally and externally.

Paul is admonishing Timothy to no longer hold back in his preaching and pastoring.  He is there under Paul’s commission to serve the Christ and not man.  He is not to allow the circumstances to quench the flame!

Fear, in this case is probably a timidity concerning the way, the truth and the life.  A natural tendency to soft-peddle things when there is resistance or opposition.  The temptation to schmooze, cajole and even compromise.

The opposite of this “fear” is boldness based on God’s faithfulness.  It is not an obnoxious, insensitive, blind or deaf boldness but rather a tender loving boldness that understands and appreciates the pain of conviction and confession as well as the joy of repentance.  It is a boldness that is not drawn from one’s self but rather from the giver of all ministry gifts.

It is the boldness of Jesus cleansing the temple and the tenderness of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well.  It is the boldness of Jesus’s rebuke of Peter and the tenderness of His restoration of Peter.  It is indeed a boldness that asks,  “What can man do to me?” and accepts the answer knowing all the time, “the Lord is my helper.”  (Heb. 13:6)

It is not the boldness of the warrior but of the shepherd who knows what the dangers are and where they may be and yet leads his sheep into the pasture.  It is not the boldness of an attack but the boldness to take a stand and not be moved.

It is not a boldness to criticize and vilify but boldness that compassionately reaches out no matter how many times the hand is slapped away.  It is a boldness that welcomes rejection as an opportunity to try again, perhaps in a different way.

Fear in this passage is subtle and can gain control for a whole host of nice reasons.  It is the fear that brings the toleration of sin, slothfulness, compromise and ultimately capitulation.  This fear is like a slow drip on the flame.  Seemingly having no effect until suddenly the fire is out and we’re left in the cold and the dark.

This “timidity” is normal, especially in the early days of our walk.  But Paul makes it plain that it is not from God and if it is not from God the only other sources are the world, the flesh and the devil.  Which one is it from?  The answer is, “YES.”  It is fed by all three – but God’s answer is His power, His love and His mind.  The power of the Gospel, the love of God and the mind of Christ (just to kind of give you an idea).