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Week Three:
Fear: The Enemy to Our Faith - Part One:
Faith and fear cannot exist together. However, it is an emotion caused by the belief that something or someone poses a threat to us. We can all remember feeling this destructive emotion at some time, and we’re familiar with how it affects our ability to do what needs to be done. Fear in any area is never okay, especially if it keeps us from fulfilling God’s mission for us. However, trusting His Word to us in this area strengthens us to overcome it and keep moving forward. We’re not ordinary people, but children of God, Himself. When we truly believe this, fear loses its grip on us. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” Romans 8:15 (NKJV). The spirit of fear causes us to weaken our resolve and shrink back. The Spirit of God enables us to overcome whatever adversity or trouble presents itself. Fear is from the devil, and it’s the enemy to our faith. It directly contradicts the Word.“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV). When we’re afraid to do something we know we should do, that’s the time we must stop and reflect on this Scripture. Meditating on it gives us strength and courage.
Fear: The Enemy to Our Faith - Part Two:
Satan uses fear as a weapon to disrupt our faith. He wants us to question and doubt everything God says to us. If he can get us to the point of unbelief, he can move us away from trusting God. God is the very essence of love, however; when we’re in Him, we’re safe from the emotional damage fear can inflict. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love”1 John 4:18 (NKJV). When we’re in a situation and feel the cold grip of fear in the pit of our stomachs, we’re prevented from having the peace of mind God wants for us. Lack in any area isn’t God’s will, especially a lack of peace. Jesus came so that we might find peace in Him. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”John 14:27 (NKJV). God assures us that fear is not from Him. He hasn’t give us a spirit of fear, but He has given us a spirit of POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND. When the enemy tries to lie to us or plant fearful thoughts in our minds, we can be sure that we have these three things:
1) The power to overcome every lie and every scheme he throws at us. 2) The perfect love of Jesus that casts out all fear. 3) The mind of Christ- guarded and filled with the Word of God to measure the lies up against.
Fear: The Enemy to Our Faith - Part Three
Life can send us trouble at any time, but as believers, we never have to be afraid of it. The kind of life God wants for us is never passive or timid. It’s filled with wonder, excitement, adventure, but most of all, victory. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly”John 10:10 (NKJV). We can depend on God to always be there when we need Him. He delivers us from trouble, no matter what happens. Our full trust in His ability and willingness to rescue us when we need help gives us peace.“Whenever I am afraid,I will trust in You”Psalm 56:3 (NKJV). Fear and trust don’t mix: trust in God is much more powerful. We don’t have to tolerate fear. Living in God’s will for our lives keeps us safe from it. The courage we receive from Him isn’t due to the absence of fear, but the ability to move past it. This is what a victorious life is all about. God is kind and understanding toward our weaknesses, but He requires us to go forward in faith, and the Bible is clear that faith does not mature and strengthen without trials. Adversity is God’s most effective tool to develop a strong faith.