Free from Fear

Fear may touch every life, but God never intended His children to live in bondage to it. This article reveals the difference between healthy, God-given fear and destructive spiritual fear—and shows how God’s perfect love brings true freedom.

As we draw near to the Lord and enter His awesome presence, we’re delivered from our fears!

Fear touches every life. But not all fear is the same. For example, good fear keeps you from driving 120 miles an hour down the freeway, standing too close to the edge of a cliff, or placing your hand on a hot stove. This kind of fear is God-given and helps to protect you.

However, there’s another kind of fear that comes from Satan. Instead of bringing us wisdom and safety, it’s designed by the enemy to place us in bondage. Often this satanic kind of fear is completely irrational: The writer of Proverbs observed: “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (28:1). How sad to be terrified when there’s no actual danger!

Paul described another dimension of fear when he wrote, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). Notice that the Lord never sends us “a spirit of fear.” It comes from the devil and his minions!

Just as God sends His angels as ministering spirits for our benefit, so the enemy sends his demonic forces to wreak havoc and drag us under. Instead of blessing our lives as the fear of the Lord does, this kind of fear only brings us bondage.

Ironically, a healthy, God-given fear protects us from the demonically inspired fear that brings spiritual paralysis. The Father calls us to holiness and a hatred of evil. He wants us to have a holy respect that moves us toward purity and obedience. Instead of leading us to bondage, this is God’s way of leading us to supernatural peace and freedom.

From Bondage to Freedom

As a believer, you have been liberated—set free! As King David joyfully sang, “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4 NKJV). Isn’t that beautiful? As we draw near to the Lord and enter His awesome presence, we’re delivered from our fears!

How does our Heavenly Father dispel our fears? By showing us His love. The apostle John wrote about this process:

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:18–19).

Are you experiencing this great love from your Heavenly Father today, the kind of love that dispels all fear? If so, you can rejoice that your Father is constantly available to protect and comfort you. Instead of bondage, you can walk in glorious freedom:

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15 NKJV).

Scriptures to meditate on this month:

Week One
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:7

Week Two
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18

Week Three
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Week Four
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

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