Freedom from Fear
Faith and fear are in direct opposition to each other
Fear tolerated is faith contaminated.
Definition
Fear- To be afraid or apprehensive, a feeling of anxiety, to be frightened or uneasy, filled with apprehension
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.(NKJV)
Any spirit of fear is from our adversary and is a direct attack to us as children of God.
A spirit of fear makes us timid, afraid of men and the demonic of what they might say or do.
Instead of empowering you, fear paralyzes you
Instead of giving you wisdom, fear causes you to make poor decisions
1 Corinthians 2:4-5
And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.(NKJV)
Our faith is in the power of God and not the natural things around us.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.(NKJV)
A soul that has the full influence of God’s love is completely free from all dread regarding the future.
If fear is operational in your life you have not been made perfect in love-- (In Him) not operating in the full realm of love.
The third element is a sound mind free from disturbance.
We consistently receive a renewing of the mind according to Romans 12:2.
Ephesians 4:23
And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],(AMP)
Why, because the carnal mind is enmity against God thus needs constant renewing.
What do we do when we recognize fear in our hearts?
2 Chronicles 20:3
And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.(NKJV)
King Jehoshaphat enemies were great----Fear speak to your insufficiency.
If you were all powerful---fear would never be a problem.
Satan is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour----a weak spot is us.
Through the fear we create opening for the enemy-------especially voiced fears
We need God’s constant influence in our lives.
What things can cause fear?
A change in circumstances can incite fear
Moving our of our comfort zone
Unexpected Loss
Listening to the wrong voices---voices from the past--- a voice from the enemy
Rejection
Confrontation
Uncertainty -----about future events
Fear of failure
Fear of death
Fear of the unknown
Fixating on a circumstance rather than on God
When our focus is taken off of God fear makes it advance
Did you know that defeat is an orphan.
John 14:18
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.(NKJV)
If we are married to Christ we don’t want to have an affair with fear.
Fear even has the capacity to make us physically ill.
It’s not really enough to say I will try to get more faith and that will make my fear go away.
Fear is an undermining element to faith----chewing away from the tower of faith
We seek the Lord just like King Jehoshaphat,
David sought the Lord
Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.(NKJV)
You mean that God will deliver us from fear.
Again seeking the influence of God---never exempt from His influence
In the midst of fear we make an intellectual decision to trust the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.(NKJV)
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.(NKJV)
There are two ways to go---two roads to take
Trust in the Lord with all your heart ----or
Lean to your own understanding
After we abandon our own understanding we have one more obligation of acknowledging Him in all our ways.
Our mindset is that we are grateful it’s all in His hands.
The decision is whether we will trust or not trust.
Is He God or not?
It’s also important to repent from embracing fear.
Is it a sin to have a spirit of fear-------YES
Doubt is fear’s companion a forerunner to fear.
Worry is fear’s friend.
The origin of fear and doubt is to cast doubt on the word of God.
Remember that God told Adam not to eat of tree of knowledge of good and evil.
When eve talked to the serpent she added to the word of God and said we shall not eat of this tree or touch it
The serpent cast doubt on the word of God and said you will not surely die but your eyes will be opened and you shall be like gods knowing good and evil.
What if the thoughts come that produce fear?
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,(NKJV)
We make the decision to uproot the spirit of fear with help from the Lord.
When we repeat the voices of fear we are reinforcing the fear.
Another reason to uproot the spirit of fear is because fear becomes a magnet to attract the thing you dread the most.
Job 3:25
For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.(NKJV)
When we allow a stronghold of fear to operate it give the enemy an opening to do what he wants.
Let’s read some doubt removing scriptures---actually combating doubt
Psalm 118:6
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?(NKJV)
God is more mighty than any circumstance, person, or thing.
Psalm 91:11-12
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.(NKJV)
Literally meaning He will give command to His angels to keep you in all your ways.
Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?(NKJV)
Evil spirits may attempt to injure or harm you but are unable because of the angels of God,
How does the enemy work on us?
Satan will try to use the same tactic he did with Adam. To get you to accept something against the word of God and then usurp authority over you
But this time He can’t keep it because the ultimate authority belongs to Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 43:1-2
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.(NKJV)
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.(NKJV)
This verse calls for recognition of our source.---How much need? (All)
Remember that perfect love casts out all fear, we choose to be perfected in love.
If perfected in love we are diligent to show forth His love.
Statement to the spirit of fear
I will no longer be moved by what I hear, see of feel. I will no longer be subject to the laws that govern the natural world. I choose to believe the word of God concerning who I am in Him. I will not fear anything in this life. I choose not to be governed by the law of sin and death. I no longer accept fear as part of my thinking. I rebuke the spirit of fear. I renounce its influence in my life. Spirit of fear go in Jesus name. I am free In Jesus Christ.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.(NKJV)