FAN INTO FLAMES
16th Aug 2023
Timothy was Paul’s right hand man and accompanied him on many of his journey’s, yet when he writes his second letter, he has detected a cooling off in Timothy. He is not the passionate, faith filled man that he used to be, so he challenges him, “For this reason I remind you to fan into flames the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
How about you and me? Are we the same passionate people we were when first filled with the Holy Spirit? I remember feeling that nothing was impossible with God, and believing that every prayer would be answered immediately. When confronted with an issue, we prayed immediately, expecting instant results. Or, have we now resorted to giving advice and discussing problems endlessly, rather than turning to believing prayer right away.
In Paul’s instruction, he has discerned a timidity in Timothy. Where has the boldness gone, where has the confidence in God to give supernatural answers disappeared? Have we allowed our own boldness to dwindle as we seek to help and support those going through challenging times?
In Hebrew 6:12 it says, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what had been promised.” Timothy has been charged with being timid, and here the believers are being called lazy. I am challenged myself to “fan into flames” the power of the Holy Spirit that lives in me, not to neglect Him, not to exalt experience and reasoned thinking, above faith.
Hebrews 10:35 says, “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
The Holy Spirit gives us power, love and self-discipline, He promises that through faith and patience we will inherit what has been promised. Have things become slack and flabby? It is time to “fan into flames” the gift that God has given you through the laying on of hands.
by Charles Sibthorpe
