Freedom from Fear

How can we be freed from fear?  Only by obeying the Word of God! Fear is not just a reaction to external circumstances. It is a spiritual force. Fear begins on the inside of you and is totally destructive. Satan moves in response to fear the way God moves in response to faith. You could even say fear is the devil’s faith. Or fear is placing more faith in circumstances than in God.

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. (NKJ)

This tells us two things. Fear is a spirit, and God did not give it to us. It also tells us 3 areas where fear attacks us.

1) Fear comes from not knowing the POWER given to us.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJ) (ability)

Luke 10:19 Behold, I give you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (conferred power to act; operating in a designated jurisdiction)

2) Fear comes from a lack of trust – insecure LOVE.

No one likes to be told they have insecure love. But that is exactly where fear comes from. Faith, trust, and love are synonyms. Faith works by love. (Galatians 5:6) Lack of trust enslaves you to fear and shackles you to the problem.

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJ)

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. (NKJ)

Torment in Greek means to restrain, impede, restrict, or incapacitate; hence, to punish (to cause agony).
Fear in Greek is the word we get phobic from; to panic, or withdraw because of feeling inadequate (without sufficient resources).

3) Fears arise as fiery darts that come in the way of thoughts from the enemy designed to remove a SOUND MIND.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) 5 Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

A sound mind thinks on the truth, not on the lie.

Philippians 4:6-8 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (NKJ) (commit to memory)

How to be delivered from fear? Get the Word inside you.

What did Peter walk on? Water cannot support the weight of a human being. Peter’s faith in what Jesus said is what held Peter up. What caused Peter to sink? It wasn’t the wind and the waves that defeated Peter. It was his fear of them. (animals)

Psalm 34:1-4 I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. 2 My soul boasts in the LORD; let the oppressed hear and rejoice. 3 Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. (Berean)

Magnify in Hebrew means: to be causative and make large, advance, boast, bring up, increase, lift up, promote.  We use a magnifying glass to see things more clearly. Too often we magnify our problem instead of magnifying our Problem-solver thus making a mountain out of a molehill.

Psalm 91:5-10 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. (KJV)

Proverbs 1:33 But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil. (Berean)

Faith is developed by meditating on God’s Word. Fear is developed by meditating on the problem. This meditation is called ‘worry.’ You must rid yourself of all ambiguity concerning the Word of God. Trust God! He cannot lie.

1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. (AMP)

It’s not an option. Worry is disobedience. It is a lack of trust in God. Fear is a tool applied by the enemy to stop us from using our faith to receive from God the things we need. Fear is designed to cause us to relinquish our God-given purpose. Walk in the Word. It releases the power, love, and sound mind God has given you and you will never have to worry again.