Fan The Flame

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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you by the laying on of my hands, for God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7

In these two simple verses Paul gives Timothy  an important reminder of the wonderful gift of  God’s spirit he received by the laying on of Paul’s hands. He encourages him by reminding him that the spirit God gives us has power and everything God wants us to have to walk with him successfully as we battle against the enemy in this world.

Timothy would go on to be a successful planter of seeds of the word, as will we, if we listen to what Paul has said in these two short verses. It was by God’s love for us that the enemy was defeated, and his spirit resides in all of us who are saved and walk with him.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” ‭‭John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s God’s spirit within us that gives us self discipline. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self controlled (disciplined) and alert as our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” God’s spirit in us provides the ability for us to defend ourselves against the enemy. So with the spirit of Jesus in us, we have all we need to love, and to defend ourselves spiritually.

Now as for power, again the spirit of our Lord gives us that as well. Jesus says in John 17:22,  “I have given them the glory you gave me, that they may be one as we are one” Jesus says this in a prayer to his father, on our behalf.  He has given all believers the glory God has given him so that we have the power of his spirit in the strength of one body.

How much more powerful can we get then when his spirit is in us and we abide in him? He gives us the power, love, and self control to walk with him in every situation we encounter in this world. As he reminds us, “In this world you will have trouble , but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33) In him we have power to overcome the world! What a gift we must continue to “fan into flames”.

Now our charge is to plant the seeds, so that all may share these same gifts and anyone who is not currently, can begin to fan their own flame.

Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas

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