Faith Over Fear!

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.”

 Several weeks ago, a prophetic word was given stating “that several people were dealing with fear” and that this fear could be dealt with at the altar. Well, more than several, a considerable number came to the altar, and other leaders prayed for them, and in faith, we believe that God met their needs. I went from being thankful for the obedient response to wondering why so many people, especially Christians, still struggle with fear. Truth be known, this could be the explanation for the lukewarmness and the status quo attitude in many churches. Fears of failure, inadequacy, sickness, disease, etc., cause many to live in fear, not knowing that there is a choice. The choice to walk in freedom is often blinded by fears that never become a reality.

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” This includes all of those in fear, rational and irrational, and covers every fear that may come. As He says in the continuing verses, “today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” This verse tells us that fears will come, but it is how you respond to them that is crucial to the outcome. The most common emotion in the lives of humans is fear. Fear itself is not evil; it is a response that seeks to avoid threatening danger. In these cases, a response to fear is natural and warranted; even in a child, fears are built into them instinctually. As we grow older, if we are not careful, we can begin to collect many additional fears. Irrational fears (fears that go beyond the scope of common sense) are called “phobias.” Phobias are common to all people. Psychologists name more than 200 of them—each with a technical name. There is one called “acrophobia”—fear of high places; another called “claustrophobia”—fear of closed places; another called “nyctophobia”—fear of dark places; etc. Some fear crowds, some fear dirt, disease, the number 13, and black cats, etc. Many fears are just superstitions, but all phobias can be very real to those who fear them. As the saying goes, “what you fear most can manifest in your life.”

The DEVASTATING Effects of Fear

Fear can produce harmful effects. Scientists, Doctors and those in the Fitness world tell us that unwarranted fear can be the springboard (the starting point) for many physical ailments. This does not mean that everyone suffering from these physical problems is a victim of fear (and lacks true faith); it just means that the physical effects of fear can be serious and devastating. But it is far more serious to realize what fear can do to our spiritual condition. Fear can lead to instability, unhappiness, and a lack of contentment. Fear can keep you from fulfilling the call of God on your life. It is the enemy of faith. It saps spiritual vitality, and it can paralyze the soul. TRUTH IS our faith cannot properly mature when we are motivated or overly influenced by fear.

(1 Jn 4:18) Fear is like pulling down the sail on the boat of our lives – we are then no longer able to be directed by God’s wind, the Holy Spirit. It undermines faith and the love which faith is to express (Gal 5:6). In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan at one point has two lions blocking the path to the heavenly City. The lions are ready to tear to pieces anyone who passes by. “Christian” (who is traveling on that path toward the city) grows increasingly fearful but slowly presses on. As he gets closer to the lions, he discovers that only their growls can reach him. God has the lions chained, and “Christian” passes between them unharmed! Faith has many enemies, but one of the greatest enemies of faith is fear. It leads to a bad self-image, affects how you perceive God, and steals your destiny. The Scriptures indicate that there are several kinds of fear. There are several Hebrew words (in the Old Testament) that are translated “fear.” And in the New Testament, there are several Greek words which are sometimes translated “fear.” In summary, there are three basic kinds of fear.

Reverential Fear: This is a holy fear. It is really an awe and respect for the majesty and holiness of God. It is a godly reverence. Reverential fear comes from knowing the character of our heavenly Father. It is a fear of displeasing God. Reverential fear is a healthy kind of fear. It is always right and true. David speaks of this fear as being clean and pure, Psalm 19:9. An example of misuse of reverential fear is found in Matthew 25:25, which says, “so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.” In Jesus' analogy, a master gave one servant five measures of money, another two, and the third servant just one. The first two servants doubled their master's investment with them while he was away on a long journey. The third servant did not, and he attempts to explain his inaction. He explained his bitter perspective about his master: that he's a harsh person who benefits from the work and efforts of others.

Now the servant said it was fear that led him to do nothing with the assets given to him by the master. This suggests he was afraid of the master's response if he lost the money. If the servant really sees the master this way, why wouldn't he have acted accordingly, Matthew 25:26–27? As the master's response will reveal, this servant's story doesn't quite ring true. After all, putting the money in a bank would have kept it just as safe and would have earned a little interest. The master's impending response isn't an admission of guilt, but a statement of logic. Whatever his motive, this servant took the path of least resistance and simply did nothing instead of fulfilling his role as a servant or a slave. That choice cost him dearly. A skewed perspective of the Master because of fear can be equally devastating for you and me today.

Instinctual Fear: This is a fear that is necessary for the preservation of humanity. Instinctual fear is a normal God-given emotion. God has built into each of us an instinctive alarm system which is designed to protect us from harm—raging waves, fierce storms, rattlesnakes, wild animals, home intruders, etc. These are normal fears that cause a “fight or flight” response, a built-in law of nature.

Carnal Fear: Carnal fear is a senseless dread and a nagging anxiety. This is a predominantly demonic/evil fear. It is a craven and base kind of fear. The Greek word carries with it the idea of an unhealthy, destructive kind of dread. Carnal fear is the kind of slavish dread that causes one to be unduly afraid of death. This is the area where unwarranted “phobias” reside, where repetitive negative thoughts and anxieties go unchecked. These unwholesome fears cause people to live in a constant state of anxiety and misery. This fear becomes the DEVIL’S playground. These unchecked fears are really the result of unbelief in the fatherly care of our Creator, and a scriptural misunderstanding of who we are and what we possess in Christ…. The end goal here is to “steal, kill, and destroy everything that God calls good.” John 10:10, the very reason every thought should be taken captive, 2 Corinthians 10:5. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Judges 6:11-17 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian. “The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family. “The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving no one alive. Gideon replied, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.”

This passage clearly describes someone who is called by God (a Christian) who lives in fear, thus creating a low self-image, at least a skewed image. The Angle of the lord appears to him while he is hiding in fear and calls him a mighty warrior despite Gideon’s doubts about his ability to save Israel. Gideon attempts to justify his feelings of inadequacy and even questions why God has allowed Israel to suffer under Midian. Gideon persisted and asked for yet another sign, showing a lack of trust in God’s plan and provision. People living in fear isolate, deflect, and hide from the truth and will easily accept the victim’s role. They justify their failures and personal inadequacies, and if they live with this misconception long enough, they often blame God for these failures. How many Gideons are sitting in our pews Sunday after Sunday? Living between trusting God and FULLY surrendering to God’s will for their life because of some fear.

The Remedy for Conquering Fear

One remedy for overcoming wrong kinds of fear is accepting the true love for God. A fearful child loses his fear when he nestles in his mother’s arms or feels the strength of his father. We are not afraid to fall asleep if we are surrounded by those who love us. Just so, when a person loves God and has faith in Him as the Controller of the universe, he does not need to be a slave to superstition and fear. Once we get hold of the fact that God is our concerned Father—One who cares for us and loves us—our lives can be swept clean from harmful fears.1 John 4:18, There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We Can Conquer Fear by Knowing the Safety of the Lord

“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (that is, from all my abnormal fears). Fear departs in the presence of the Lord! As long as the Apostle Peter kept looking to Jesus (when he was walking on the water), he was able to stay above the water. As long as he was more conscious of the presence of the Lord than he was of the storm and the waves around him, he stayed victorious. But when he stopped looking to the Lord, he began to sink. Time and time again, Jesus introduced himself with the words, “It is I, be not afraid.” In Old Testament times, the Lord repeated words of assurance:

• When Abraham feared his enemies, God said, “Fear not, Abraham; for I am thy shield” Genesis 15:1

• When Hagar feared famine, God said to her, “Fear not ... and God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water” Genesis 21:17-19

• When Jacob was stunned because of disbelief, God spoke to him and said, “Fear not to go down into Egypt, for ... I will go down with thee into Egypt, and I will also surely bring thee up again” Genesis 46:3-4

• When Moses faced the natural forces of the Red Sea, God said, “Fear not; stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he will show to you today” Exodus 14:13

• When Israel feared the future, God said to the people through Isaiah, “Fear not, for I have redeemed thee and have called thee ... thou art mine; when thou pass through the waters I will be with thee” Isaiah 43:1-2

Jesus never wasted words. Yet repeatedly He said, “Fear not;” “Be not afraid;” “Do not be anxious.” Many people who were tossed with inner storms of fear have found calmness by looking to the face of the Lord. The conquest of harmful fears can be accomplished by taking the words of the Psalmist seriously, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea ... The Lord of hosts is with us” Psalm 46:1-2,11

Our times are in God’s hands, and nothing can overtake us apart from His permission. We must exercise a moment-by-moment trust in a moment-by-moment Lord. We must maintain an unshakable faith and belief that God has everything under control, and that nothing can harm us beyond God’s plan—because we are constantly moving under the shadow of the Almighty. We need to learn to exchange our fears for simple childlike trust. The phrase “O Grave, where is thy sting? Comes from 1 Corinthians15:55, which addresses the victory over death through the resurrection. It reflects the Christian belief that through faith in Christ and His resurrection that should be no fear of death, since it has now been rendered powerless. So has the fear of the devil’s threats, phobias, and carnal strongholds that he tries to attach to our lives.

In this study, I found something very interesting: the command “Fear not” is found 365 times in the Bible. That means there is one “Fear not” for each day of the year! There is much in this world to make us afraid, but there is much more in Christ to make us unafraid. Jesus didn’t promise that He would be with us some of the days; He promised to be with us always, even until the end of the age. If your life is hidden in Christ and in the power of His resurrection, what is there to FEAR?

We are More Than Conquerors (But you must believe it)

Romans 8:31-39 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. What shall separate us from the love of Christ? trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Do not fear” is more than words; it is a safety, a refuge, a victorious position that is available to all who put their trust in God. Gideon, with prompting from the angel, did become that “mighty warrior,” and his 300 men defeated the Midianites. The two servants who expanded the masters’ talents were given more, while the third, who was afraid, had his taken away and given to those who advanced the Kingdom. Where do you stand today? What areas of your life are limited because of fears?

                                       “God did not give us a spirit of fear.”