Overcoming FearSample

What Is Fear?

Now that we know who we are in Christ, let me share a little bit about the nature of fear. There are two parts to this study of fear: What it is, and our responsibility because of it. First, let’s look a little more into exactly what this enemy is. Second Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” Did you catch that? Fear is a spirit. It certainly does not bring abundant life, but rather it comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Therefore, this is an evil spirit.

When you give in to this spirit of fear, you fall into sin. We all feel fear - this part is natural. But when we submit to it (when we yield or surrender ourselves to the will and authority of this spirit), this is when we fall into sin (we get off the way of life and begin operating outside of God’s ways). Scripture tells us that we are only to submit to God. In contrast, we are to resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7). This is the way.

I’m sure you’ve heard it said that the command most often spoken in Scripture is some form of “fear not” or “do not be afraid.” In fact, it’s commanded 365 times in the Bible. Is it a coincidence? I think not. God knew what we humans would be up against and what would trouble us most. And that thing is “fear.”

In addition to this, I want to present to you something that you may not have considered before:

Have you thought about the fact that when God places a “do not” before an action, that action is a sin (again, operating in a belief, mindset, or action that is outside of God’s way of life, thus causing harm to ourselves or others)? I asked my daughter about this the other day. I said, “When God says ‘do not’ before a verb, what does that make you think?” She said, “Well, you’d better not do it!” Think about the Ten Commandments, most of which begin with “You shall not.” We all take those very seriously. If that is the case, then why do we not take as seriously the command that appears the most times in the Bible? “Do not fear” is not advice; it’s a command. So now that we see that fear is not an option, how do we deal with it in the right way?

Prayer for today: Dear Father, thank you for revealing exactly what fear is and how the enemy uses it against me. Please reveal to me any areas of my life that have been compromised by fear and any place in my life where I have submitted to fear. Help me to change this. I want to submit only to you! Thank you that I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. In Jesus’ name, Amen!