Fear

We have heard the term, “gripped with fear” and that is exactly what fear can do while preventing us from accomplishing God’s will. But, we must remember that the spirit of fear is not from God. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”  II Timothy 1:7

Fear is a powerful tool that Satan often uses to hinder the work of God in an individual, a family, or a church. Obviously, I am not speaking of a common sense fear or a healthy fear of danger. And most importantly, I am not referring to fearing God for we know that fearing the Lord is just the beginning of us receiving wisdom from above. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 But, Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare…” and this is the type of fear from which we should desire deliverance.

Fearing man can literally bind us. It has been said, “Never put a question mark where God has put a period.”  (John R. Rice) and the fear of man can plague our minds with doubts which could eventually lead to disobedience. But fearing the Lord will bring comfort and peace. “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” Acts 9:31

The next time we are tempted to give in to our feelings of fear, try approaching those feelings with this attitude:

I have put my complete trust in a trustworthy God and I fear Him too much to fear man.

“…The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrews 13:6

~ Rachel ~