People often refer to having fear as “I feel scared” or “I am stressed”. But we need to understand that fear is not just something you feel (I “feel” scared”). It’s also not who you are (I “am” stressed). Now, if this is true, then it means that you can be free from fear!
If fear is who you are, then you should be feeling it 24/7. We all know that’s not true. How come we can feel so confident in a situation one day and so fearful in a similar situation the next day? This leads one to believe that fear is something on you rather than something that’s a part of you.
In reality, fear is a fallen spirit. It’s a devil. And it ‘sits’ on you. That’s the emotional weight one feels when one has fear. The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to Timothy, a young pastor. He told him that the Lord had not given him a spirit of fear, but of power , love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). When one understands that we are dealing with a spirit, then we know that in order to defeat it, we must fight a spiritual battle. Spiritual challenges are overcome spiritually and natural challenges are overcome naturally.
Every time I’ve felt fear, it has been about the future … something that hasn’t even happened! Not yet, at least! And most of the time it never ends up happening! Go figure!?
We actually choose to fear, or we choose not to fear. Fear works the same way faith does. When we speak of faith, we are referring to faith in God. Faith is trusting what God said in His Word. Fear is also a type of faith. It’s faith in the devil. It’s believing his words, his lies. Jesus called him a liar and the father of lies. He said that he was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44). Therefore, everything the devil says is a lie! Don’t believe him! If we believe his lies, fear will grow and oppress us more and more as time goes by until it paralyses us. That’s exactly what the devil wants. He doesn’t want you overcoming anything he throws on your path. He wants you to just sit there and do nothing while he torments you. Don’t let him! Say, “NO! It is written: The Lord has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind! It is written: Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. It is written: Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty!” (2 Timothy 1:7; John 8:36; 2 Corinthians 3:17) And kick that fear devil in the head! (Genesis 3:15). That’s what Jesus did when the devil tempted him. Each time He responded, saying, “It is written …” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). Copy Jesus, because Jesus always wins (Matthew 28:18). He’s already won every battle for you (John 19:30). He has also already defeated fear for you. Just copy Him.
