How many times have we wanted to do something but fear stopped us? It could be going on a trip/vacation, buying a new house, buying a pet, or any other multitude of things that we have avoided because of fear of things not going right.
Fear of a pet dying can block your even considering getting one because you can‘t deal with losing your sweet pet.
Fear of not being able to afford the upkeep of a house can prevent you from getting your dream house.
Fear of losing your friends can keep you from reaching out to even make friends.
Then there are those who have really gone overboard and won’t even leave the house, except for basic essentials, because of fear of an accident.
This is not the way God intended us to live a life worth living. Let’s look at His Word and see what He has to say about this.
Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV) 14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Notice that fear of death causes a lifetime of bondage. People who are afraid of dying, which many are, have limited themselves in being able to do what God has called them to do. This fear is not from Him but from the devil whose mission is to take you out, one way or another. If he can’t kill you, he will try to keep you from enjoying the very life that God has for you to live.
Jesus said that the enemy, the devil, is out to steal, kill, and destroy but He came to give us abundant life that overflows!
John 10:10 (KJV) 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10 (AMP) 10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
Fear of dying is not only about you dying but also has within itself fear of losing something. Fear is fear any way you cut it and it’s evil and demonic. It kept the Israelites out of the Promised Land for forty years when it was only about an eleven day journey. But, instead, they wandered around for forty years because of fear. God had told them that the land was theirs but they didn’t mix faith with His Word and let fear rob them of His promise. We need to learn from their mistake and not let fear rob us of our Promised Land!
Faith and fear are opposites. Faith opens the door for God to move in our lives. Likewise, fear opens the door for the devil to wreak havoc in our lives, causing us to miss out on God’s best for us. And, another thing about fear is that it actually draws to you the very thing that you’re afraid of. This ought not to be.
As born-again Christians, we have Almighty God on our side, Who has provided everything we’ll ever need to be victorious in this life. But, we have to appropriate His promises because they don’t just work automatically. Everything works by faith because that’s the only way to please God and to access His promises.
Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2 Peter 1:3 (KJV) 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Time after time, God tells us to “fear not” but to trust Him in all we do. Fear, if left unchecked, will paralyze you to the point that you won’t even be able to hear from God.
John 14:1 (KJV) 1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1 (AMP) 1 DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.
John 14:27 (KJV) 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27 (AMP) 27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
God’s Word tells us to resist the devil and he will flee. That’s what we must do with fear—resist it and tell it to flee. Resist means to actively fight against it. It takes effort but it will work if we persevere. It’s God’s Word and His Word, spoken in faith, always works!
James 4:7 (KJV) 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV) 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
— Pamela
Pamela Moyle Ministries 