The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to Timothy from prison in Rome. He knew that, “the time of my departure is at hand” (4:1). Many were becoming fearful and were forsaking him (1:15; 4:16), just as Jesus’ disciples had done (Matthew 26:56). He wrote to help Timothy deal with fear:
A. There is a “spirit of fear” (1:7), which Satan uses to control unsaved people and hinder saved people from doing God’s will.
Genesis 3:10 “I was afraid....and I hid myself”. This is the basis for all “phobias” which keep human beings in bondage.
Hebrews 2:14-15 “those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage”.
B. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but (a Spirit) of power and of love and of a sound mind” 1:7).
Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace...self control”,
Romans 8:14-16 “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God, for you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear ....the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”.
C. “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (1:8).