Fighting FearSample

FEAR HAS AN AGENDA

When we process the reality that fear has an author and an agenda, it automatically places us in a position of power. In the same way that a good army would invest in obtaining intel on their enemy, scripture is clear that we need to stand firm against the schemes and strategies of our enemy. The King James Version of Ephesians 6:11 used the word "wiles" for schemes. The Greek word for "wiles" is "Methodeia," which means to "lie in wait, to follow craftily framed devices, to investigate by methods and plans." It is very clear from these descriptions that the enemy has an agenda and a strategy for that agenda.

John 10:10 tells us his agenda is to Steal, Kill and Destroy.

1. To steal is to take away by theft. Consider in your life what aspects of your authority, confidence, beliefs, purpose, potential or passions have been robbed due to lies thrown at you with the agenda of disqualifying you. How differently would you have lived your life had you not made agreements with those lies?

2. To kill is to slay or slaughter. Consider aspects of yourself you have put to death because of fear. Putting to death the desire to trust others due to the fear of betrayal and the desire to be vulnerable due to the fear of being shamed or the fear of trying something new due to the fear of failure. So we make vows that we will never trust again, never be vulnerable again, never attempt anything new again. We put to death desires, dreams or hopes.

3. To destroy is to abolish or put an end to. Consider the desires, dreams and hopes that you have not even allowed yourself to face; they are not just dead but buried. To live in a permanent place of hopelessness will make the heart sick with despair. This, too often than not, is the driving force behind suicide. The ultimate final blow of the enemy is to blind a person to any potential hope in the Lord.

Yes, the enemy has an agenda, but the good news is that God has an agenda, too. 2 Timothy 1:7 makes it very clear that God's agenda for us is to live in love, power and with a sound mind. These power tools of truth empower us to fight fear with freedom.

PRAY:

Jesus, I thank you that I don't have to live in fear. Thank you that your plans for me are for good, to prosper me and not bring harm, to give me hope and a future. Help me align my mind to these truths as I fight the agenda of fear.