“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power and love and discipline...” 2 Timothy 1:7
To be made timid is not a good thing. It is not just being shy. It is a lack of courage and confidence. It is being easily frightened. It is pulling back from the very thing God is calling you to do. It is to be intimidated. Paul states here that it is a spirit, not just a personality issue. That being the case, how can we recognize its evil presence?
1. The spirit of intimidation comes to us especially when we are working hard to do exactly what God has asked us to do, as Timothy was.
Look at the story of David and Goliath. 1 Samuel 17:1-50. As you read these verses, you will see quickly that though David was being called by God to face a giant, the voices of those he encountered were very intimidating.
2. It can come from those closest to us. David’s family members were angry with him and accuse him of showing off and warn him that he is going to get himself killed. They tell him explicitly that he is acting foolishly. (28) 3. It can come from leadership over us. Saul, who should be supportive, attempts to sow seeds of doubt in him. He tells David in no uncertain terms that he cannot possibly take on this giant. (33)
4. It definitely comes from our enemy. Goliath himself is full of threats and throws insults at David. He completely mocks David making it clear that David is no threat to him. (43)
What should we do?
David states clearly that he has come to fight in the power of the Almighty. “You come against me with sword and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel. Whom you have defied.”
David knew that it was God who asked him to stand up against Goliath. He was not doing it on a whim or a wish to look good. He wanted to defend the Lord’s great name and see God’s purposes go forward.
I have often wrestled with the spirit of intimidation. Every time I write or when I speak at an event, I have thoughts in my own head saying, “People do not want to hear what you have to say”, “ You are wasting people’s time” or “ These people are totally bored - you need to stop”. That is the spirit of intimidation. I have not had to battle voices from the outside like David did, rather it is a collection of whispers in my head, especially evident when I am doing something I know that God has asked me to do.
My life would be so much simpler if I did not bother to ever write or speak publicly. Yet, to stay silent, I feel like I have grieved God. I have learned to recognize my enemy’s voice and in Jesus Name, I rebuke it. I know who I am and why I am doing what I do. It is very different from the times I am trying something new, and it feels daunting or overwhelming. There is not a voice speaking and making me feel small and worthless. Hard things can be intimidating, but we deal with that in different ways, breaking the task up into manageable pieces, etc.
Have you experienced the spirit of intimidation?
Dear Father,
Thank you for Jesus and the power of His Name. Thank you for the way You help us to stand up against the giants in our lives. Thank you for calling me to an important task. Give me wisdom, insight, and courage to stand firm and do what You have asked of me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen.