Timothy, a young pastor in Ephesus, tended to be timid. That’s why, as we saw in the last two blog posts, Paul wrote to encourage him: “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6–7, NIV).

We talked about the Holy Spirit being a Spirit of power and also of love. Now, as we read further in 2 Timothy, Paul’s last chronological letter before he passed off the scene, we want to think about one more quality the Spirit gives us: “self-discipline.”

“Self-discipline” is translated in various ways across English translations of the New Testament. Here it speaks of being under control—not going crazy or letting loose.

Some feel that the word indicates our need for God to maintain discipline in our daily lives—when we get up, what we do, and when we read the Word—so we remain structured. Otherwise many of us would simply go hither and yon, all over the place.

Others say that the coloring of the word is more about calmness, self-possession, and self-control, like Jesus had under every circumstance. When people were applauding and yelling, “Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:9), Jesus didn’t go around saying, “Oh, look at what the people are saying about Me!” And when He was being lied about in front of Pilate (see Matthew 27:11–14), He was the same Jesus—under the control of God’s Spirit. We can have the same control in our lives so we don’t overly fluctuate.

In light of this, Paul continued to Timothy, “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8, NIV).

In the culture we live in, sometimes it takes courage to speak for the Lord and say, “I’m a believer in Jesus. I’m not ashamed of the gospel, the good news that Jesus died for our sins and rose again from the dead.”

Here in downtown Brooklyn, there’s a hip Gen Z area where the things of God are mocked. If you’re a Christian, or you even believe in truth, people say, “No, no. I have my truth. You have your truth. Let’s not get all authoritative with, ‘That’s the truth.’”

It takes courage to say, “No, I believe in Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life” (see John 14:6).

We need God’s Spirit today so we won’t be ashamed of Jesus and the gospel. Increasingly now in our culture there are strong anti-Christ and anti-God sentiments, as well as laws that people have passed to put down Christianity.

Now if you live in a Hindu or Muslim country, oh, you really have to be brave. What’s the worst that could happen in most cases here in America? People laugh at us, mock us, and don’t think we’re hip.

So? What would we rather have? God’s smile or people saying, “You’re the man”?

We want God’s smile.

So Paul wrote, “Timothy, where you are in Ephesus, never be ashamed of the gospel. Remember what the Lord warned us: ‘If you’re ashamed of Me, I’ll be ashamed of you on the final day of judgment’” (see Mark 8:38).

It’s not just the gospel we shouldn’t be ashamed of. Paul went on, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner” (2 Timothy 2:8, NIV). In other words, “Timothy, don’t be ashamed to say, ‘My spiritual father is Paul.’”

“Well, where is this great spiritual guru?”

“He’s in prison right now.”

Paul wrote, “Don’t be ashamed of me.”

Sometimes Christians don’t dress as well or make as much money as those in our culture. Sometimes they’re little grandmas who walk with a cane.

If we’re with our friends in the street and we see someone from our church and she says, “Hello, brother! How are you?” or “It’s good to see you, sister!” and she wants to hug us, how do we respond?

Do we say, “Um, maybe not”?

Our friends might say, “Where do you know her from?”

“Oh, she’s a sister in the church.”

“Oh, your sister?”

“Yes, my spiritual sister.”

We shy away from that. We want to be identified with something a little more high-end, correct?

Let’s not be ashamed. God’s family is made up of all kinds of folks in all shapes and sizes. But they’re members of our family, and we’re going to spend eternity with them.

Paul’s meaning goes further: “Don’t be ashamed of Jesus.” Back in the days of the early church, people would say things like, “He’s your Savior? How did He die? Oh, on a cross like a thief. Umm, nice religion!” (see 1 Corinthians 1:18, 23).

Jesus didn’t ride into Jerusalem on a white stallion in a chariot with His hand raised. But let’s not be ashamed of Him, Christianity, or our brothers and sisters in Christ. That hurts people.

Let’s be true to the Lord and true to our family, no matter where we are or who’s watching.

Prayer

Lord, we thank You for the Spirit of self-discipline, which is greater than fear. Give us the courage to stand boldly for the gospel and not be ashamed of the name of Jesus. Guard our hearts against pride, and may our lives bring You joy and point people to Your truth.

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