Spirit of Timidity

"Not indeed has God given us a spirit of timidity but of power and of love and of a sound mind."1

This word for timidity is deilia which is often translated cowardice, timidity, and fearful. Its root word is deilos which means "fearful of losses" or "fear-driven" it is always used negatively in the NT. This type of fear stands in contrast to the positive fear which can be expressed by phóbos as in reverence and fear of God.

Timidity doesn't produce endurance which builds character and without such we are timid, fearful people who stand for nothing. Timidity is defined as lacking in self-assurance, courage, or bravery; easily alarmed; characterized by or indicating fear: a timid approach to a problem. In timidity, there is confusion, a double mind, instead of a sound mind. This word for sound mind is sóphronismos meaning self-control, self-discipline, prudence. It's root word sṓphrōn (from sōos, "sound, safe" and phrḗn, "inner outlook") It is "acting in God's definition of balance" which regulates outward behavior. This is a Biblical definition of obedience, one of a sound mind, a wholeness produced by God, a man who is controlled by such.

The Bible speaks of the transformation by the renewing of the mind, we are to have a Spirit of renewal, "that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind."4 Now it is a presenting of our bodies as a living sacrifice, yes, it is founded in grace, "for by Grace are we saved through faith..." and that we are "buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." I learn this principle; to approach His throne of Grace in boldness, in confidence not in timidity.

I will not know endurance until I suffer, and endurance builds character, which produces hope, now hope doesn't confuse.7 This word for confuse is often translated as shame, disappoint, frustrate but it also means put to utter confusion. This renewing of the mind produces a sound mind and such is a process; suffer, endure, character, hope. This hope is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.8 This is the working out of our salvation, soul salvation, not to be confused with being born from above in our spirit, but a working out what is in our inner being into my mind, my character, wholeness.

I believe we are timid people, the reverence of God is confused with a spirit of timidity and fear. Why hasn't Christianity arisen to the issues of today? confusion. I hear often we are a lawless society but I beg to differ, we are a Pharisaical society. The lawlessness I see is a byproduct of something much sinister. Like in the days of Jesus, the people by rules and regulations break the commandments of God. The presumption of innocence, the Golden Rule, these are products of a bygone society, one which trusted in God. Such should be a red flag to us today, as it speaks to a people pressed down with heavy burdens. Just treat me like you would treat yourself they say, but they receive no such treatment, nor mercy. I believe the lawlessness we see is a byproduct of legalism, in fact, they are one and the same person, they both have a seared conscious.

To some the solution to our problem is more rules and regulations, build more walls, more rules, thus a larger centralized government. Such seeks to take away Liberty, all in the name of security, Ummm. What is the difference between ISIS and legalism? they are both the same without Jesus. We are a "get it quick" society and such has overlapped into Christianity, does such produce hope? it surely bypasses the process; suffer, endure, character, hope. No hope then no fruit? what have we learned? without endurance will we have character? the thorn in my side, the cares of this world will they discourage me? and without character can I have hope, because what is hope if it is seen?

"For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it with patience. Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness."8

There is a war, in the spiritual realm, and it is of a spiritual nature, we are at war against strongholds; spirits of fear, guilt, shame, timidity... As we learn to fight such schemes of the enemy we are to grow our roots deep in His love. We are given a Spirit of Adoption, Life, Power, Love, and of a Sound Mind, of wholeness. As we learn to be Wise as serpents, we are Gentle as doves. As we learn to be prudent, self-disciplined, we are to be renewed in the Spirit of our mind. Ironically in our efforts to do war we can become like the enemy; legalistic, unloving, uncaring, controlling, and we act like him. As such we allow the enemy to gain a foothold, and by our rules we break the rules of God.

The Spirit knows, in moanings and groanings... we are being conformed to the image of his Son. Oh, to have the mind of Christ. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies."9

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