In Paul’s first letter to Timothy, the apostle urges the young man not to “neglect” the gift that is in him (1 Timothy 4:14). Timothy is not by nature assertive, so Paul again urges him in his second letter. But this time Paul does so not in the Passive Voice, but in the Active Voice. (This is not a grammar lesson — stick with me!)
Note the difference between reminding and urging. “Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6) In emphasizing the difference between the Active and the Passive voices, I like to quote Winston Churchill’s words: “There is a great deal of difference between a tired man who wants a book to read, and an alert man who wants to read a book.”
In English Grammar, “A noun is a naming word, and a verb is a doing word.”
Moving verbs to the front of sentences enlivens dialogue! If I were to write fiction, I would have the main character speak actively and others passively. The very grammar of the dialogue would make the lead character stand out. The hero’s manner of speaking would put him on the front foot.
This matters when we share our faith in Jesus Christ. A passive person will stay on the back foot and defensive, whereas an active person will move to the front foot and be assertive. As a disciple, Peter was on the back foot when a maid accused him of being a follower of Jesus. But as an apostle (“one sent forth”), he was on the front foot. For instance, in his address to the crowd on the Day of Pentecost (Acts, chapter 2).
The difference was that the ashamed disciple was filled with fear, and the bold apostle was filled with the Holy Spirit. If you have received and remain filled with the Holy Spirit, you too will speak assertively, and will also be on the front foot when speaking up for your Lord (Acts 4:29-31)