Freedom from Fear
Source: Michael Youssef
For millions of people around the world, fear is not merely a concept.
People living under dictatorships are trained to be terrified because
dictators rule and destroy by the power of fear. From young ages, they are
taught not to verbalise what they think. They must parrot the party line. If
they say anything contrary to the dictator's beliefs, they will most likely
disappear without a trace.
In Australia and the United States, we enjoy amazing freedoms of speech,
religion, and the press but, despite these political freedoms, fear still
imprisons millions of people in this country. It may not be the fear of a
dictator, but other types of equally debilitating fears are at work. Fear is
a powerful evil spirit.
Fear was originally a gift from God. In the same way God's gift of sex can
become perverted, fear's true purpose can be twisted by sin. The gift of
fear was given to us by the hand of God so that we might fear God, but we
are not to be terrified of God. Rather, godly fear teaches us to revere God
because "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10). To
exercise the gift of fear in its proper context is to render honour and
respect to God.
When Satan was successful in tempting Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden,
the gift of fear was distorted. Today, instead of fearing God, we fear
people. Instead of trusting God, we fear the future. Instead of fearing and
honouring the law, we fear being caught when we break it. The consequences
of the perversion of the gift of fear are anxiety, frustration, and
insecurity.
Ungodly fear leads to destructive behaviour. The fear of failure paralyses
us. The fear of rejection keeps us isolated. Fear of old age leaves us
clinging to our youth. The fear of losing a loved one leads to
overprotective and possessive behaviour. The fear of poverty results in the
tight fist of greed.
Satan is constantly manipulating us to fear the wrong things. The Apostle
Paul knew this and called out the spirit of fear saying, "For God did not
give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of
self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). The "spirit of timidity" Paul refers to is
not godly fear and, when it is embraced, it is destructive.
Why do we embrace unhealthy fear? Adam and Eve were in intimate fellowship
with God and did not experience unhealthy fear until they sinned. When sin
entered their relationship, they became terrified of God. In the same way,
when we fellowship with God, love Him, listen to His voice in the Word of
God, and obey Him, fear takes its proper place. But when we disobey God and
avoid His presence, we become prey for Satan and we live in anger,
frustration, and terror.
Today, there are many people who are hiding from God and living in fear.
This is not God's desire for our lives. God's desire is to fellowship with
us and for us to experience joy in fellowshipping with Him. We experience
fear and anxiety when we move away from His fellowship and His truth. What
kind of fear are you experiencing right now? Whatever it is, you can have
victory over it.
During the time of the prophet Isaiah, the Israelites were going through a
tough time - much worse than the issues we are facing today. They were
experiencing economic upheaval, insecurity, broken family relationships,
lost loved ones, and constant confusion and fear. Through Isaiah, God spoke
to the Israelites saying, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have
summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will
be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over
you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will
not set you ablaze" (Isaiah 43:1-2).
When you are in deep water, do not panic. God will see to it that you do not
drown. When you are going through a fiery furnace, do not fear. God will be
with you and He will protect you. God never said that you will not go
through deep waters or fiery furnaces. In fact, He said that these trials
are where you will truly experience His presence and the power of His
deliverance.
Why should you not give into fear? God has redeemed you. Will the very same
God who redeemed you eternally not take care of all of your daily needs on
earth? Fear sets in when you marginalise your salvation. When Jesus redeemed
you, He redeemed you from all of your sin, including the sin of fear.
Instead of falling into this sin, fill your mind, your heart, and your
spirit with the promises of God. People all around you may be terrified, but
you will experience freedom from fear when you place your confidence in the
living God who has redeemed you.
Useful link: www.leadingtheway.org
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