Fear. It can save us or destroy us.
It’s right that we are afraid of wild animals and poisons and things that can harm us. That’s an innate ability God gave us to be able to survive our surroundings.
The fear Paul was writing to Timothy about is beyond that. The spirit of fear is one that points out the remotest possibilities of harm in every moment of life.
That whisper that tells you not to speak to that person because they will look at you funny. That reminder that holds you back from stepping out in faith because you might be hurt. The niggling in the back of your mind that says you’re going to embarrass yourself if you do that thing. That’s the spirit of fear, and he has so many weapons!
We must recognize that that spirit is NOT from God. It is not the innate ability to do anything. It is sent from the enemy to stop us in our tracks and keep us from living the abundant life God sets forth for us.
The spirit of fear shows up as perfectionism, control freak, anxiety, depression, and many other forms. These are just some of the ones this spirit has exhibited in my life over the years. It’s important we recognize this, because every human has a purpose given by God, a specific, unique-to-them reason for existing. This spirit of fear blocks that, keeping us from knowing that purpose and living in it.
Believer, it’s time we kick this spirit in the teeth, resisting him every time he rears his ridiculously ugly head. We do that by knowing the truth from God about ourselves and our situations. When we know the truth and this peewee speaks up, we have no problem telling him to hit the road.
James wrote that when we resist the devil, he flees. Let’s start telling this spirit of fear that we are choosing God’s spirit. Tell that spirit that the Spirit in you says he is a liar. Revel in the truth that God didn’t give you a spirit of timidity, cowardice, craven, cringing and fawning fear, but He HAS given you a spirit of power, love, and of calm, well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control to resist this defeated foe and live in His purpose for you, accomplishing all He has for you in building His Kingdom.
Start today, my friend. LIVE! Enjoy the freedom!
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
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Faye Bryant is an author, coach, and speaker who helps individuals escape the lies of the enemy, live into God’s truth, and build a better life by first feeling, dealing, and healing their way through a stuck future or an abused past, toward a deeper path of purpose, and into the unhackable life of their chosen legacy. Hers is a story of resurrection: from death to life!
