I recently had a conversation with a friend that proved to be quite interesting. It was based on fear. I was told that fear was an emotion that we as human beings experience everyday which of course makes it normal, but as believers we must learn to manage it. Not let it overwhelm us. My question to you is this. Is fear just an emotion?
The Word of God says 2 Tim. 1:7 “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind” (KJB). Let’s examine this for a minute. What is fear? It says here that it is a spirit. Notice it did not say that” God did not give us the emotion of fear”. He said “God did not give us the spirit of fear…” He specifically points out that fear is a spirit. What is a spirit? A spirit is the non-physical part of a person. Because spirits have no physical body they always seek to inhabit one. When God said that He did not give us the spirit of fear He didn’t just stop there. He also said “but of power, love and a sound mind”. Let’s break this down. What is this power? It is dunamis power. It has to do with strength and ability. It comes from the English word dynamite. Dynamite is an explosive force. When it is set off it affects everything in its path. This power resides in every believer. It’s an inherent power that is part of our nature (Our Christ like nature). The nature that we partook of when we were born again. Ephesians 1:19-20King James Version (KJV)
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places… This power took Christ out of hell and seated Him at the right hand of the Father. This mighty power is at work in every believer. Hallelujah!!!!
We have also been given love. What is this love? Romans 5:8King James Version (KJV)
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The bible also states Romans 5:5King James Version (KJV)
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Just like dunamis power God’s love is also something we inherit via our new nature. It is called AGAPE LOVE. Agape love is different from any other love. It is a love that is of and from God. God is love personified. It means that everything that is love is God. It is a self-sacrifice love. An unselfish love. It is perfection itself. It is untouched, untainted. It is God.
When you are told to “love your neighbour as yourself” Mark 12:31 God never expected you to use our own love to do this. It is difficult to love people who we think doesn’t deserve it. When He made that statement He meant to use His love in you. His love in you will love despite how you feel.
John 13:34King James Version (KJV)
3”4 A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” How did God love us? He gave Himself a living sacrifice. Did we deserve it? No! But He did it anyway. He says to do the same for others.
We are without excuse when we say we can’t. Why? Because God would never ask of you to do anything that you were not equipped to do. If it’s difficult to love someone with your love then use His.
He also gave us A Sound Mind. What does it mean to have a sound mind? The Word of God says that we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16King James Version (KJV)
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. “God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love — He has given you a mind that has been delivered, rescued, revived, salvaged, protected, and brought into a place of safety “. This is a beautiful translation. It means that our mind is no longer Satan’s to control. I say this because a lot of us are still struggling to take our thoughts captive.
Your mind was freed the moment you ask Jesus to come into your hearts. You also inherited with the new nature the mind of Christ. It is now who you are. But in order for you to fully understand this, the Word of God says that you have to take captive every thought AND MAKE THEM OBEDIENT TO CHRIST. 2 Cor. 10:5. That is your responsibility. Why? Because you have the mind of Christ. Your mind was delivered over two thousand years ago. So that makes you free to love, free to demonstrate dunamis power and free to take captive every bad, evil, wicked thought and make them obedient to Christ.
Now you understand why fear is not acceptable where God is concern. There is no place for it in your lives.
The Holy Spirit told me fear in itself has no substance. It hovers around waiting for us to hold on to something in order for it to materialize. have you ever notice sometimes you feel afraid for no reason. You just can’t put your finger on what you are feeling. Well my brethren that is fear hovering around waiting for you to grab on to a thought or anything in order for it to control you. Remember fear hath torment. 1 John 4:18. The bible says you cast our spirits, and fear is a spirit. Cast him out. Faith in fear gives it all the substance it needs. Without faith in fear has nothing to hold on too.