Fear is a tool used by the enemy to stop us from using our faith to receive from God the things we need. Fear is designed to cause us to relinquish our God-given purpose.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
This tells us two things. Fear is a spirit and God did not give it to us. It also tells us 3 aeras where fear attacks us.
1) Fear comes from not knowing the POWER given us.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJ)
Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
2) Fear comes from a lack of trust because of insecure LOVE.
No one likes to be told they have insecure love. But that is exactly where fear comes from. Trust and love are synonymous. Lack of trust enslaves you to fear and shackles you to a problem. The insecurity is not on God’s side.
Romans 5:8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Berean)
Romans 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (NKJ)
Fear = Greek = The word we get phobic from; to flee, panic, or withdraw because of feeling inadequate (without sufficient resources).
Torment = Greek = penal infliction in a way that restrains, impedes, restricts, or incapacitates; hence, to punish (cause agony), or to curtail.
MSG There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. (NLT)
3) Fear comes from fiery darts that come in the way of thoughts from the enemy designed to remove a SOUND MIND.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds😉 5 Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
A sound mind thinks on the truth; not on the lie.
John 17:16-17 Jesus said, “They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (Berean)
Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever. (Berean)
Philippians 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (NKJ) anxious = Greek = “a part, as opposed to the whole” – properly, drawn in opposite directions; “divided into parts”; “to go to pieces” because pulled apart (in different directions). An old verb for worry and anxiety – literally, to be divided and/or distracted.
How to be delivered from fear. Get the Word inside you.
Psalm 34:1-4 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. 3 Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. (Berean) Magnify = Hebrew = To be causative and make large, advance, boast, bring up, grow(up), increase, lift up, nourish (up), promote.
We use a magnifying glass to see thing more clearly. Too often we magnify our problem instead of magnifying our Problem-solver thus making a mountain out of a molehill.
Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?
(NLT)
Isaiah 35:4 Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you. (Berean)
Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil. (Berean)
Fear is the devil’s faith. You must rid yourself of all ambiguity concerning the Word of God. Trust God! He cannot lie.
