| The Grapevine Overcoming Fear By Jack Northart In the past few issues of The Grapevine, we have taken a look at the "Renewed Mind" from God's Word. I would like to take another step forward on this topic to address the subject of overcoming fear. This is part of the practical side of the renewed mind. I'm sure you've heard some motivational speaker or some other renown orator stand before the TV camera or microphone and tell us how fear is healthy, that fear is good for you and helps you stay alert and strong, that fear is to be embraced and accepted. Let's see what God's Word has to say about fear. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. 2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Seems perfectly clear to me that fear is a BAD thing, rather than a good thing, or a healthy thing. It sounds like something that we should try to avoid or get rid of if we have it. We must recognize that fear is the enemy of the believer. It is sand in the machinery of life. Fear stops us from believing rightly. It stops us from believing God's Word. Fear will always encase us. It will bind us up. Right believing is the path to success. Fear is the path to defeat. Fear functions in the soul of a man as a splinter does in the physical body. If permitted to remain, it will cause inflammation and infection. Now fear can have a legitimate life-saving function provided that it does not outlive its purpose of the moment. Proverbs 3:25 states: "Be not afraid of sudden fear." It's human nature to react to extremely dangerous situations with this type of sudden fear, like when someone runs a red light and nearly hits you. The adrenaline pumps and your heart pounds. But it is only a temporary reaction. If however, the next week, your heart continued to pound and you became deathly afraid to get into a car, then that type of fear is not part of human nature and it has to be dealt with right away. Understanding where this stream of fear comes from is important. As stated in 2Timothy 1:7 that we read earlier, fear does not come from the true God. So if it doesn't come from the true God, then it can only come from one other source, and that is Satan, our adversary. Fear is his main tool that he uses to defeat the believer. 1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary, the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. A lion cannot run as fast as many of it's prey such as a gazelle or antelope. But it is able to catch them by his ferocious roar, which freezes these animals with fear long enough to where he can capture them. God's Word tells us to be sober and to be vigilant because our adversary, the devil, is out there trying to freeze us with fear. So how do we overcome the onslaughts of the adversary when he tries to get us to worry, doubt and fear? We overcome by renewing our minds to God's Word. 1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. This is tremendous! However, what we must realize is that this verse does not provide automatic protection from the adversary. We have Christ within us (Colossians 1:27), but we must bring this inherent power into manifestation. We must put on the mind of Christ and stand against the opponent in order to manifest power over Satan. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. The word submit in this verse means to set or appoint oneself under another. And the word resist means to stand against. We stand against the Devil. When you stand against someone it is just the opposite of making oneself subject to him. There is ONE true God. We are to submit or appoint ourselves under Him. And we are to stand against the adversary. We say what the Word of God says and believe it. Look again at 2Timothy. 2Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. What if I am afraid that I am not going to have enough money to pay my bills this month? Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Whatever or wherever we have fear, we can overcome it as we say and believe God's Word. Make the resolve right now to overcome your fears. Say what God's Word says and believe it. 1John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not make perfect in love. Philippians 4:6,7 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [guard] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. |
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