Fear Not! A Journey From Fear To Freedom (Part 2)نموونە

False Evidence Appearing Real

“So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord... Also I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But you have not obeyed My voice'" (Judges 6:6,10). 

Israel had done evil in the sight of God and He delivered them into the hands of Midian for seven years. As you read the book of Judges, you will see an ongoing pattern where Israel would fall into sin, ignore God, and then come back crying for His help. In this passage, God is telling Israel not to fear these false gods and reassures them that He is still their God.

Perhaps you have heard of the acrostic for the word FEAR which is False Evidence Appearing Real. Any god other than the Lord God is a false god. Satan is referred to by Paul as “the god of this world.” He also says, “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14 NIV).

Have you ever seen a bad impersonator? They can be painful to watch and you may even feel sorry for them. Truth be known, Satan is just a wannabe god, an imposter. He wants to be like God, but he is a poor imitation. You probably saw The Wizard of Oz as a child and when the wizard is ultimately exposed, he is just an ordinary man hiding behind a big façade. One day we will find out we have given Satan and his demonic team too much credit and power. 

John tells us, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work” (1 John 3:8 NIV). Just before Jesus died on the cross, He said, “It is finished.” Jesus completed His assignment; He did destroy the works of the devil. 

Jesus told us, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:19-20 NIV). We just need to understand the authority we have been given as believers and learn how to use it. Fear not; you have authority “to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

Prayer: Lord, You are the only real, true God. All others are poor imitations. Help me to discern the real from the phony, the truth from the lie. Thank You for sending Jesus to destroy the works of the devil. God, grant me boldness to use the authority You have given me. In Jesus name, Amen.