The Spirit of Fear

Excerpt taken from Simple Steps to Overcoming Fear by Inspiration Ministries

“A perfect faith would life us absolutely above fear.”
George MacDonald

 

Chapter One

The Spirit of Fear

There’s no question that many believers are living lives of torment because of a spirit of fear.

We wish we could tell you three easy steps to overcome fear in the natural realm. We wish there were some little pill you could take to eliminate fear in your life. There is no three-step plan or pill you can take, but there IS something you can do that will keep fear from tormenting you.

Now understand that the root of fear we’ll be discussing in this book isn’t the result of some chemical, psychological, or emotional imbalance. It’s a spirit.

The book you’re reading today isn’t a book about spiritual warfare. But here’s what you need to know about the natural and spiritual worlds. We hope you’ll remember this or write it down and think about it:

Every spirit manifests itself in a physical form, and every physical manifestation is the result of a spirit’s influence and activity.

We don’t know of another spirit that can render you as helpless and useless, that can tie your hands, bind your mind, control, vex, and torment your soul like the spirit of fear.

First John 4:18 tells us that fear involves torment. It doesn’t come from God. The Lord doesn’t intend to torment you and doesn’t want you to be tormented. So, if it doesn’t come from God, there is only one other place fear comes from: Satan.

The devil intends to keep you oppressed by fear, to keep you from doing God’s will, and to keep you from being used by God.

In the story of the unprofitable servant, the spirit of fear kept him from being a good steward (Matthew 25:14-30). It kept him from using what God had given him to produce more. The tragic part of this story is that the master cast that unprofitable servant into outer darkness where the Bible said there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What was his crime? What did he do wrong to deserve that kind of punishment? Very simply, he allowed fear to control him and keep him from being productive for his master.

Fear will keep you from praying for someone and believing that God can work a miracle in their life.

Fear will keep you from witnessing to someone, afraid of what people might think or say.

Fear will keep you from giving to God, afraid that you won’t have enough.

Fear will keep you from worshipping God in an outward expression of lifting your hands to the Lord, afraid of making a spectacle of yourself.

Fear will cause you to hold that song inside, keep that prayer request to yourself, or suppress the gifts of the Holy Spirit from operating in your life.

Jesus said in John 8:36 that He wants you to be free, and you can be – if you will use the spiritual authority He has delegated to you and rebuke the spirit of fear from your life in Jesus’ name!

Godly Fear

Open your Bible, and you will discover that the subject of fear is addressed numerous times throughout its pages. Usually, fear is described in a negative context. For example, Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” Notice the contrast here: If we are afraid, we will end up enslaved, but if we trust in the Lord, we will find safety.

However, the Bible also describes a positive kind of fear – fear of the Lord. If fear is normally such a negative force in our lives, how can it be beneficial for us to fear God? Let’s look at a few verses that help to answer this question:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10).

Blessed is every one who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways (Psalm 128:1).

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant (Psalm 25:14).

My servant Job … there is none like him on earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil (Job 1:8).

The churches … had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied (Acts 9:31).

Our fear of the Almighty is not supposed to be an expression of fright or impending doom. In fact, it’s just the opposite. As you see in these verses, godly fear is based on reverence and respect – and the benefits are amazing.

Psalm 19:7-14 illustrates the close connection between fear of the Lord and having a reverence for the precepts in His Word. Notice that the outcome of these traits is your “great reward”:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

Friend, we encourage you to meditate on this wonderful passage, asking God to do a deep work in your heart through His Spirit. You will be greatly rewarded.

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Order your copy of Simple Steps to Overcoming Fear by Inspiration Ministries