doorsopportunityThe times in which we are living could accurately be called the "age of fear." The media sees to it that messages of fear come at us from every side. Newscasts and newspapers offer a smorgasbord of fears such as the fear of new, incurable diseases, the fear of economic collapse and the fear of crime and terrorist attacks.

The list is endless. As a result, the faith of many is challenged, and fear, the great enemy of faith, has flooded men's hearts and minds.

The Fear Connection

Fear is the reciprocal of faith. In the same way that faith will manifest the promises of God, fear enables the works of the devil to wreak havoc in your life. Ephesians 4:27 warns against allowing the devil to operate in your life. The moment you do, he'll do whatever it takes to steal, kill and destroy you. (John 10:10) 

There is a very familiar story in the Bible about a man named Job. He was upright and blameless in the sight of God, yet he came under satanic attack and lost his children, wealth and health. (Job 1:13-19; 2:7) Many sermons have been preached about how, in the midst of his trials, Job didn't give up, curse God, and die as his wife had suggested. Instead, through patience and endurance, he was rewarded with complete restoration.

However, Job's story speaks of a spiritual nugget that many theologians fail to address, which is the fear factor. Job 3:25-26 says, "For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto rue. I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came." Neither God nor the devil was responsible for Job's dilemma; Job was. His fear connected his family and him to tragedy.

Another excellent example of someone connecting to his fear is found in Matthew 14, where Jesus invites Peter to come to Him on the water: "But when he Peter saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, 'Lord, save me'" (verse 30). Peter's faith in the words of Jesus enabled him to step out on the water and walk. He was doing fine until he looked at the wind and waves (his circumstances). At that point, he gave in to the fear of drowning and was immediately connected to his fear. As long as his focus remained on Jesus, he was safe.

Likewise, your faith won't ever waiver when your focus stays on Jesus. Don't be like Peter and connect with disaster. Instead, remain strong in faith and connect with the goodness of God.

Dealing With Fear

When dealing with fear, you need to realize that Satan operates and uses things found in the natural realm. His tactic is to convince you that the things you can see and hear are more real than the truth of God's Word. When you depend on what you can see rather than on what God has said, you leave yourself wide open for deception.

Your Worst Enemy

Like sin, fear is an enemy. According to Revelation 21:8, God places fear in the same category as the unbelieving and the abominable. It is a demonic force that is neither cute nor funny. In addition, all fear is rooted in the fear of death.

For instance, there have been reports of individuals who were afraid to die in an airplane accident, and they actually died in plane crashes. It was no coincidence. Their fear of death connected them to the accident. The same is true of people who are afraid of contracting cancer or other terminal illness. Their fear is stronger than their faith in healing, and they ultimately contract the disease and die.

To walk in fear is to be oppressed by the devil. However, according to Acts 10:35, "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil."

Jesus didn't cope with the works of the devil; instead, He destroyed them! He went straight to the core of the matter. Hebrews 2:14-15 says, "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Jesus] also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them [us] who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."

Jesus has delivered you from all oppression. Therefore, make a quality decision not to tolerate fear on any level, not even for the sake of entertainment. Although there's nothing wrong with having a good time with family and friends, you should use wisdom when selecting activities in which you choose to participate. Make sure that they are not fear-based activities designed to keep you in bondage to the spirit of fear.

Fear is a horrible monster, no matter what form it takes. Therefore, believers should avoid becoming an accomplice to fear or assisting it in keeping them bound. Galatians 5:1 says, "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

You see, freedom from fear and apprehension is included in the salvation package. (2 Tim. 1:7)

No Fear Here!

Unfortunately, the world is still in the dark where fear is concerned. Millions of dollars are made off of fear each year. From "slasher" films and video games to specific rides at amusement parks (i.e., haunted houses), fear has become big business.

However, for the believer, 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "...God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

The moment you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you no longer had the spirit of fear. You now have the spirit of God, the Spirit of love, because God is love. (1 John 4:16) Furthermore, verse 18 says, "...perfect love casteth out fear."

In these last days, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to walk in fear. Second Timothy 3:1 says, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."

Furthermore, Luke 21:26 says that men's hearts will fail them because of fear. However, while describing many of the end-times events to His disciples, Jesus told then to "...see that ye be not troubled." (Matt. 24:6)

There is only one way to remain fearless in a world of turmoil, hatred, war and uncertainty—trust the One who told you not to be troubled. To conquer fear, give your life completely to the Lord and yield totally to His will, which is the only safe place for a believer. Only then will you find protection, provision and direction in these perilous times.

Psalm 91:15-16 says, "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With Long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

Make a commitment to give God first place where your time, money, career, and family are concerned. When you do, He will keep you in perfect peace. (Isa. 26:3)

Remember, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you in the name of Jesus. (Luke 10:19) You have authority over everything that walks, crawls, creeps, flies, and swims. Therefore, you have no reason to be fearful. Instead, trust in the Lord. Should Satan come against you with his lies and fears, remind him that, "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made [you] free from the law of sin and death." (Rom. 8:2)

Fear can no longer hold you in bondage. You are free! Therefore, walk in your freedom.

Make the following confessions:

  • In the name of Jesus, I make a decision to walk by faith and not in fear. I understand now that my heavenly Father has not given me the spirit of fear; instead, He has given me a spirit of power, love and a sound mind!

  • I renounce the spirit of fear, including every phobia, inferiority and all insecurity. I will not fear. I will not give place to the devil. I walk in faith and I walk by the Word.

 

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