1 TIMOTHY 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, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. – 1 Timothy 1:6-14
1 TIMOTHY 1 A SPIRIT OF POWER & SELF-CONTROL
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
To be a child of God, one is given many gifts to exercise love
We may not see it or feel it, but it is a favor handed to us
Because we were all made in God’s image, we have his nature
He gave us a mind that is free from fear and full of adventure
He didn’t create us be oppressed but to be bold and have power
There is no need to listen to lies so that we can always have order
The gift of the Spirit was given for us to exercise our calling
It is not for our own benefits but to build up Christ’s body.
As we live in this corrupt world, we become automated to hear the lies of the accuser. We find ourselves doubting our own abilities and gifts that were given to us by God. Just a single painful experience can open doors for the enemy to crush us. In this letter of Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy, he stressed clearly the gifts of God given to every believer. In verse 6, he admonishes the church through Timothy to “fan into flames” the gift of God. He is referring to the Spiritual gift that we have received as soon as we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul discusses these gifts in detail in Galatians 5:23-24 as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Are you using your spiritual gift to edify the body of Christ or are you hoarding them so you can use it for your own purpose? Some believers do not take this gift very seriously. Some do not even know their calling and the gifts they were supposed to hone. That is why some Christians struggle with depression and anxiety because they have been listening to the lies from the world system through their family of origin and the culture itself. As Christians, we are all called to freedom by using all the gifts given to us so we can glorify God and live self-controlled lives. We do not have to cave in to lies that make us fearful.
REFLECTION
- Why do some Christians play victims instead of victors while living in this corrupt world?









