Not all fear is bad. Some fear is productive and is of God himself. Fear is an instinct that God has put in us to protect us. If you do not have God in your life then you have a lot to fear. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is a holy reverence for God. An electrician has a “fear” for electricity. The spirit of fear is a phobia. It is fear of all kinds of things. E.g. Fear of heights, small spaces, open spaces, disease, etc. These fears are not productive. They are negative and destructive.

1 – The destructive power of the spirit of fear

• Fear and forgetfulness (vs. 6-7) – Fear had caused us to forget all of the blessings of God. Paul was in prison but he is not fearful of forgetful. Paul had his eyes focused on the Lord.
• Fear and failure (vs. 8) – Timothy had failed to speak up for the Lord Jesus Christ. Timothy had listened to the sinister minister of fear – Satan. Too many people’s gifts are not used because of fear and failure. One of the talents was buried in the ground because of fear. Fear of failure is one of the things that keep our mouths shut when we should speak up. Peter the Great was afraid to cross a bridge. Julius Caesar was afraid of thunder.
• Fear and frailty (1 Tim 5:23) – Fear can literally make you sick. Timothy was probably sickly because he was afraid. One of the marks of the last day is men’s hearts failing them for fear. Fear can cause all kind of physical problems. Fear is like sand in machinery.

2 – The delivering power of the spirit of faith

God gives us three things to overcome the spirit of fear.

• Power – Jesus had said we would be endowed with power from on high – the Holy Spirit. Often we are afraid of things that are bigger than we are. Greater is He that is within you than what is in the world. See Psalm 27:1 – Whom shall I fear? The fear of God removes all other fears.
• Love – Love is a mighty force to deal with fear. See 1 John 4:18. We have no need for fear if we know that God loves us. We need to rest in God’s love for us.
• Sound Mind – God enlighten us with a sound mind. God has given us discipline or self-control. FEAR – False Evidence Appearing Real. The wicked flee when no one pursues. We are able to take these things and look at them in the clear light of God’s Word. I am persuaded that he is able to keep me. The war is over and you have nothing to fear.

Categories: 2 Timothy