Brothers, Strengthen Your Faith and Spirit

Paul’s final letter to Timothy was not a letter of comfort, but a call to courage. As the young pastor wrestled with the weight of his ministry, Paul, his spiritual father, wrote from a Roman prison, awaiting execution. His words were not those of a man seeking sympathy, but of a soldier passing his sword to the next in line:

Timothy had seen the cost of ministry. He had watched as his mentor was imprisoned and would soon be executed. Fear must have gripped his heart. But Paul’s message was clear: Stand firm. Do not retreat. Suffer well, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Weight of the Call

Pastoring is not a profession; it is a commission. It is not a platform for self-promotion; it is a battlefield where faith is tested. Jesus warned His followers that persecution would come:

Timothy understood this reality. He was called to shepherd the church in a world that had crucified his Lord, stoned the prophets, and hunted the apostles. He hesitated, much as we might hesitate to minister in a place where faithfulness to Christ could cost everything.

The Spirit of Power

The Spirit of God does not produce cowardice. The Greek word Paul uses for “fear” (deilia) refers to cowardice in battle. It is not mere nervousness it is the failure to stand when the time for courage arrives. But God does not give His shepherds a cowardly spirit; He gives them power. 

We see this power in the Old Testament, as the Spirit of God rushes upon men like Samson, Saul, and David. Samson tore a lion apart with his bare hands (Judges 14:6). Saul, once timid, became a mighty warrior when the Spirit came upon him (1 Samuel 10:6–7). David, the shepherd boy, received the Spirit and soon after stood before Goliath, declaring, “The battle is the Lord’s” (1 Samuel 17:47).

The same Spirit that empowered these men now resides in every believer. But pastors, you are called to wield this power not only to stand in courage but to lead others to do the same. The apostles, once fearful, were transformed at Pentecost when the Spirit filled them with boldness (Acts 2:4). Peter, who had denied Christ in fear, now preached to thousands without hesitation.

This same Spirit is in you. You are not weak, pastor. You are not helpless. The power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you (Romans 8:11).

The Spirit of Love

With great power comes great responsibility. The power of the Spirit is not for dominance or self-preservation, but for love.

Paul told Timothy, “I endure everything for the sake of the elect” (2 Timothy 2:10). His wounds were not for his own salvation but for theirs. This is the heart of pastoral ministry: a willingness to suffer for the sake of others.

Consider Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he boldly proclaimed the gospel before a hostile crowd. When they rushed upon him in fury, he did not curse them he prayed for them.

This is the Spirit of love at work. It is a love that preaches truth even when it costs everything. A love that does not retaliate in anger but intercedes for enemies. A love that willingly lays down its life for the sheep (John 10:11).

The Spirit of Self-Control

A shepherd must be self-controlled. He must stand firm when fear threatens to shake him. He must remain calm when chaos erupts. He must think clearly when danger arises.

Saul, once a man of the Spirit, lost everything when he gave in to fear and impatience (1 Samuel 13:8–14). He became rash, envious, and ultimately a danger to those he led. In contrast, David, though he had moments of failure, demonstrated self-control when it mattered most choosing to trust in God rather than taking matters into his own hands.

Self-control is not weakness; it is mastery over fear, anger, and despair. It is the ability to stand unwavering when the world demands compromise. It is the discipline to stay faithful when persecution comes.

The Manly Business of Pastoring

There was a time when men understood that pastoring was a high-risk calling. Paul bore the marks of Christ on his body (Galatians 6:17). The early church was filled with pastors who preached under threat of death. Today, in some places, this reality still exists but in others, pastoral ministry has become comfortable.

Soft men have entered the pulpit, forgetting that this is not a career but a call to war. Pastoring is for those willing to stand firm in a world that rejects the gospel. It is for those prepared to be hated, slandered, and even harmed for the truth.

Paul was not ashamed to suffer for Christ. He rejoiced that he was counted worthy to do so (Acts 5:41). Will we do the same?

Remember Your Spirit

Pastor, if the Lord chooses to make your life a sermon, written in suffering and sacrifice, will you bless His name? If persecution comes, if hardship arises, if you are called to suffer for the sake of Christ, will you stand firm?

By the Spirit He has given, we will be good shepherds until the Great Shepherd returns. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates