"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity [fear], but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV) [1]
I was meditating on this verse before going to bed tonight. It's a another one of those Christian favorites to which many of us often turn. I began to wonder to what the "For" was there for. So often we pull this verse out any time we are afraid of something or struggling with self-discipline issues, but I realize now the Holy Spirit had a more specific purpose in mind when I looked at the verse that immediately precedes this one.
"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." (2 Timothy 1:6, NIV)[1]
Through Paul I think God may be telling us how to use and a develop the gifts he has placed within us. To use those gifts it takes an exercise of strength (power). They are to be exercised in love for without love they amount to nothing. (1 Corinthians 13) It also requires self-discipline to develop the gifts and to use them at their proper time. The good news is that God has not only gifted us, but he has empowered us with the abilities we need to "fan" those gifts into a "flame:" power, love, and self-discipline. That's awesome!
[1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan. [1] The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
I've never paid attention to the "for" in v.7. This is great insight to help us refrain from being timid or fearful about stepping out in faith as God develops those gifts in us!
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