2 Timothy 1:6 - Stir Up the Gift of the Spirit.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NKJV) Therefore I remind you
to stir up the gift of God which is in you
through the laying on of my hands.
INTRODUCTION
Fan into flames: The Spirits work is not
automatic"it must be cultivated. [NLT SB 2008]
Fan into flame the gift of God. Gifts are
not given in full bloom; they need to be
developed through use. [NIV SB 2008]
Fan into flame the gift of God. Gifts tend
to fade in strength when they are not used and
encouraged. [ESV SB 2008]
The Greek word rendered stir up
literally means to kindle up, to fan into flame.
Chrysostom brings home the great lesson taught by this
word, which belongs to all Christs people
alike, when he quotes 1Thessalonians 5:19,
Quench not the Spirit; for it is in our power
both to quench this Spirit and also to fan it
into flame. The gift of God here alluded to
is that special gift of the Spirit conferred on
Timothy at his ordination, and which included, in
his case, powers necessary for the performance
of the many and important duties to which he
was in the providence of God called, especially
those gifts of ruling and teaching which are
necessary for the chief pastors office.
[Ellicotts Commentary]
At the time of his ordination, Timothy
had received special gifts of the Spirit to
enable him to serve the church (see 1 Timothy
4:14). In telling Timothy to "fan into flames the
spiritual gift God gave you," Paul was encouraging him
to persevere. Timothy did not need new
revelations or new gifts; he needed the courage and
self-discipline to hang on to the truth and to use the gifts
he had already received (see 1:13, 14). If
Timothy would step out boldly in faith and proclaim
the Good News once again, the Holy Spirit would
go with him and give him power. When you use
the gifts God has given you, you will find that
God will give you the power you need to
accomplish whatever task he gives you.
Paul mentions three characteristics of
the effective Christian leader: power, love, and
self-discipline (v. 7). These are available to us because
the Holy Spirit lives in us. Follow his leading
each day so that your life will more fully
exhibit these characteristics. See Galatians 5:22,
23 for a list of the byproducts of the Holy
Spirit living in us. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY
I woke up early and went into the den to
put some logs on the fire. Some mornings, there
are embers left from the night before, but this
morning the fire seemed cold. It looked like I would
have to start over. I began to clear out some
ashes and quickly uncovered a little pocket of
red-hot coals. The fire wasn't out after all; it was
just a little cold. I fanned the coals, added
some kindling, and before I knew it, I was adding
logs to the growing flames.
Sometimes this happens to Christians. It
seems that their fires have gone out, but it's
more likely they've just grown a little cold. If
we look, we will probably find a little pocket
of hot coals that we can fan into a lively
fire. We might do that by taking them to lunch,
writing them a letter, or scheduling some time to
hang out and have some fun. We can also offer to
talk about a passage of Scripture or pray about
something together.
At one time or another, we all need
someone to help us get those flames going again.
Whether we are fanning someone else's coals or
someone else is fanning ours, it's a service of
great importance to God.
Father, make me sensitive to those around
me who need to be encouraged. And thank you for
those you send when I need someone to fan my
coals. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery
Daily Devotional by John & Johnny Baker]
Nothing compares to the coziness of a
snapping, popping campfire in the morning by a misty
lake or a rushing stream. And when you've got
coffee percolating and bacon sizzling over the
flames, well, it's a little slice of heaven on
earth. In the evening, when you come back to the
ashes, there are usually a few glowing coals that
can be coaxed back to life with fresh fuel and a
little blowing on them. Before long, you've got a
roaring campfire again. It's the same with the
Spirit of Christ in our lives.
Today's Scripture reads, "Fan into flame
the gift of God, which is in you." This isn't a
suggestion; it's a command. We must constantly do this,
or the flame within us may flicker, fade, and
die. Look for those sparks, those glowing embers
in your soul. If there is the slightest glow,
the faintest hint of faith, take heart! It's not
too late to catch fire.
Lord, please find the coals in my heart
and blow on them. Restore the bright flame of
Your presence and Your joy. Forgive me for
letting the fire burn low. Help me to use the gifts
You have given me for the good of Your people -
just because I know it pleases You. [A Spectacle
of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby
re 2Ti. 1:6, 7]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Sometimes when we hear that a person is
"spiritual," we think of him or her as being out of
touch, not living in the real world, or (how shall
I say it?) weird. But nothing could be further
from the truth because the truly spiritual man or
woman will be a very practical person as well.
A Spirit-filled believer will live a life
that honors and glorifies God. Ephesians 5 tells
us, "Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one
another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the
Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the
Lord" (verses 18-19, NIV).
When we think about being filled with the
Spirit, we might imagine some wild emotional
experience. And though being filled with the Spirit can
and sometimes will include emotions, it won't
necessarily be that way always.
What exactly did the apostle Paul mean
when he used the term filled? One translation of
the word pictures a steady wind filling the
sails of a ship. So the idea is that the wind of
God wants to fill the sails of your ship as you
are moving along the sea of life. In another
place in Scripture, the same word is translated
permeated, picturing the truth that God wants to soak
and saturate everything that we say or think or
do.
To be filled with the Spirit means that
the Holy Spirit is a part of all that you're
involved in. He's a part of your prayer life. He's a
part of your worship life. He's a part of your
business life. He's a part of your vacation. He's a
part of everything that touches your life in
anyway. That is what it is to be a Spirit-filled and
Spirit-led believer.
Is this some big, one-time experience,
never to be repeated? No, because the original
language implies this is something you should be
receiving over and over and over again. Be continually
filled with the Spirit. [Every Day with Jesus by
Greg Laurie re vss.6, 7]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
2 Timothy 1:7 - Holy Spirit Power, Love and
Self-Control.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210211-0931.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
