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Growth What do you fear?

Sandy Zalecki

Sandy Zalecki

Member
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) NKJ

This has been my week of talking to fearful Christians. I talked with a great friend of mine earlier this week and she was terrified that the devil was going to take over America. She had been to a church and the preacher had scared her with statements about what he perceived was going on in America today. Actually there is no proof of his statements, but she respects this man so it struck fear in her heart.

She is a powerful Christian. Her and her husband were missionaries to the Philippines for 15 years. They returned to America and planted two churches in Albuquerque, NM. Her husband died in 2005 and instead of retiring, she started her own prison and after care ministry. Now at the age of 85 she visits many men in prison and helps them when they get out. In her lifetime, she has been abducted by terrorists in the Philippines and let go unharmed, gotten out of thousands of dollars of debt left to her when her husband died, and now drives ex-convicts around in her car without a chaperone. In all of these instances she has come out unharmed, but she fears an unsubstantied statement from someone she respects.

My husband was praying with some people yesterday and they were fearful. This fear, however, is more real. They were working in a place that has been laying off many people. One fears being laid of himself and the other fears cut backs. This is a real fear, but if you are a child of God, does He not have it covered? Will He not protect you?

If you live in fear, it isn’t from God. He says that in scripture. There is another scripture that says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) NKJ When God says all things, does he mean ALL THINGS or just some things?

I know that people go through, awful, tragic things in their lives and they need to be comforted by the Lord and those around them. We, as Christians, should rally around people like that, love them, pray for them, and help them as much as possible.

What is it that you fear? We are all human and we fail in our walk with God and we fail to trust Him like we should. I know this from experience. But in your daily walk with the Lord make it your priority to walk with God and not in fear.
 
maybe something from..

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

i find it strange how we can have great courage when it comes to some things then get weak kneed over the smallest of matters..

tob
 
Fear of any kind gives Satan access to our lives. It is a demonic spirit, and we must refuse it with all our might. So what do we do when we fear? We immediately consider God’s love for us and what His Word has to say about the situation. When we know God loves us, we believe His promises. Perfect love casts out all fear.

  1. Completely eliminate fear from your life (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).
  2. God is not the author of fear; it is a spirit that comes from Satan.
    1. God has given us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
      1. Our thinking remains sound when it lines up with His Word.
      2. Satan can do nothing to us unless we give him access through fear.
  3. Fear, if not dealt with, can rearrange and change things in our lives, just like faith.
    1. In addition, fear in one area of life, can spread to another.
      1. Refuse to tolerate any form of fear.
      2. Other forms of fear include: phobias, worry, doubt, insecurity, etc.
      3. Satan will always try to inflict fear upon us.
      4. When fear knocks on the door of your heart, let faith answer.
  4. Where there is no love, fear can freely operate.
    1. The root issue is always love.
    2. The love of God is unconditional.
    3. God poured supernatural, agape love in our hearts when we became born again (Romans 5:5).
    4. True power is found in the love of God (1 John 4:7-21).
      1. God is love; God and love can be used interchangeably.
      2. The Bible is the Word of love.
      3. When we stir up the gift of God, we stir up the gift of love (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).
 
What is it that you fear?
We are all human and we fail in our walk with God and we fail to trust Him like we should.
Click to expand...

I'm no expert but maybe it's those types of statements.

When a young believer grows up believing that they'll never be perfect and that they'll always fail in their walk with the Lord, how can we expect them not to fear?

I personally don't buy into the "We're only human" mindset. Telling someone they are only human gives them a loophole they can hold onto, an excuse for their unchristian like behavior.

Ephesians 6
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

That passage renders the "only human" mindset, null and void. People need to be taught that. We don't sin because we're only human. We sin because we invite those spiritual hosts of wickedness into our lives. Yes I realize there are times when we sin without any knowledge of it, and that's where the Blood of Jesus comes into play. If we unknowingly step over the line, the sacrificial Blood of the Lamb cleanses us. Those sins are not counted against us. But if we knowingly and willing become transgressors, we are no longer under the protection of the All Mighty.We are essentially putting Satan in the drivers seat.

Fear is a combination of what we have and have not been taught. It comes from the doctrine of man.

.
 
Gary said:
I'm no expert but maybe it's those types of statements.

When a young believer grows up believing that they'll never be perfect and that they'll always fail in their walk with the Lord, how can we expect them not to fear?

I personally don't buy into the "We're only human" mindset. Telling someone they are only human gives them a loophole they can hold onto, an excuse for their unchristian like behavior.

Ephesians 6
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

That passage renders the "only human" mindset, null and void. People need to be taught that. We don't sin because we're only human. We sin because we invite those spiritual hosts of wickedness into our lives. Yes I realize there are times when we sin without any knowledge of it, and that's where the Blood of Jesus comes into play. If we unknowingly step over the line, the sacrificial Blood of the Lamb cleanses us. Those sins are not counted against us. But if we knowingly and willing become transgressors, we are no longer under the protection of the All Mighty.We are essentially putting Satan in the drivers seat.

Fear is a combination of what we have and have not been taught. It comes from the doctrine of man.

.
Click to expand...

Hey Big Brother Gary,

I agree mostly with what you say here but there's something that bothers me that I can't put my finger on. It involves the implications of when we sin and how we should handle it. I agree that we are fully able, with Jesus help, to resist sin and be overcomers; but I also know in my life there is rarely a week passes that I haven't stumbled into one sin or another. Does this mean I'm not trying hard enough to resist ? My take it is that it's the constant battle Paul describes between my flesh and spirit and God is interested, and helps, in the outcome of these struggles which lead towards holiness. I also think that if I persist in a particular sin God will both convict and discipline me.

Am I wrong to think this?
 
agua. said:
Hey Big Brother Gary,

I agree mostly with what you say here but there's something that bothers me that I can't put my finger on. It involves the implications of when we sin and how we should handle it. I agree that we are fully able, with Jesus help, to resist sin and be overcomers; but I also know in my life there is rarely a week passes that I haven't stumbled into one sin or another. Does this mean I'm not trying hard enough to resist ? My take it is that it's the constant battle Paul describes between my flesh and spirit and God is interested, and helps, in the outcome of these struggles which lead towards holiness. I also think that if I persist in a particular sin God will both convict and discipline me.

Am I wrong to think this?
Click to expand...

No, you're not wrong. It is a constant battle. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. But just because the flesh is weak, it doesn't give us an excuse to wander off the reservation.

God does intervene, but if we ignore that tap on the shoulder, the interval of those interventions will increase until they gradually stop. I'm not saying God will totally give on us, but I do believe He will let us have our way until we come to our senses or give up on Him all together.

My life is a constant struggle. Because of the years I was left to my own devices, there are so many things I need to guard myself against. I take it one day at a time.

Anyway.....
.
 
iLOVE said:
Fear of any kind gives Satan access to our lives. It is a demonic spirit, and we must refuse it with all our might. So what do we do when we fear? We immediately consider God’s love for us and what His Word has to say about the situation. When we know God loves us, we believe His promises. Perfect love casts out all fear.

  1. Completely eliminate fear from your life (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).
  2. God is not the author of fear; it is a spirit that comes from Satan.
    1. God has given us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
      1. Our thinking remains sound when it lines up with His Word.
      2. Satan can do nothing to us unless we give him access through fear.
  3. Fear, if not dealt with, can rearrange and change things in our lives, just like faith.
    1. In addition, fear in one area of life, can spread to another.
      1. Refuse to tolerate any form of fear.
      2. Other forms of fear include: phobias, worry, doubt, insecurity, etc.
      3. Satan will always try to inflict fear upon us.
      4. When fear knocks on the door of your heart, let faith answer.
  4. Where there is no love, fear can freely operate.
    1. The root issue is always love.
    2. The love of God is unconditional.
    3. God poured supernatural, agape love in our hearts when we became born again (Romans 5:5).
    4. True power is found in the love of God (1 John 4:7-21).
      1. God is love; God and love can be used interchangeably.
      2. The Bible is the Word of love.
      3. When we stir up the gift of God, we stir up the gift of love (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).
Click to expand...
Very true. You have great insights into this. Unfortunately the devil is going about seeking who he can devour. He knows his time is limited so he is working overtime right now. It is a constant struggle to stay in love and not let fear come in.
 
Gary said:
I'm no expert but maybe it's those types of statements.

When a young believer grows up believing that they'll never be perfect and that they'll always fail in their walk with the Lord, how can we expect them not to fear?

I personally don't buy into the "We're only human" mindset. Telling someone they are only human gives them a loophole they can hold onto, an excuse for their unchristian like behavior.

Ephesians 6
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

That passage renders the "only human" mindset, null and void. People need to be taught that. We don't sin because we're only human. We sin because we invite those spiritual hosts of wickedness into our lives. Yes I realize there are times when we sin without any knowledge of it, and that's where the Blood of Jesus comes into play. If we unknowingly step over the line, the sacrificial Blood of the Lamb cleanses us. Those sins are not counted against us. But if we knowingly and willing become transgressors, we are no longer under the protection of the All Mighty.We are essentially putting Satan in the drivers seat.

Fear is a combination of what we have and have not been taught. It comes from the doctrine of man.

.
Click to expand...
Paul talked about the three things we should be aware of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Paul talked all the time about the battles he had with his flesh. That's us in our fallen nature. It really freed me up when I realized that I'm not a perfect human being and I will mess up on occasion. It also helped me not hold everyone else to such a high standard. I have seen great Christians thinking they were doing the right thing mess up because they are human. They were either taught wrong by someone else or they were lead into something because of some wrong thinking. Praise be to God we have an advocate with the Father who is faithful and just to forgive our sins.
 
Hebrews 13:6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Matthew10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luke 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
Luke12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

If we are truly trusting and believing Gods promises we have nothing to fear at all. I will admit I am afraid of the dark outside at night, but that's only because I live out in the country and there are animals out there I can't see like bears, Bobcats and coyotes. I know I should not fear even this............stupid flesh..........ugh!!!
 
Psalm 46: 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear...'

Blessings.
 
farouk said:
jasoncran:

I guess it can be said that there are two kinds of fear in Scripture:

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

'The fearful and unbelieving...' (Revelation 21).

Blessngs.
Click to expand...

We're also told we should fear the second death.
 
Fear and anxiety go hand in hand.I have found that if I take a day at a time it helps.If I try to look ahead at something that I feel I have no control over it can cause all kinds of problems.We do not know what is going to happen in the next second.God does.God has the whole picture we do not.Something could happen in the next second that would totally change the whole picture.That is where faith comes in.Our lives are in God's hands.He has a plan for our lives.We have to trust in Him.What I do not understand is when a person is a Christian and they are doing everything the way they want to do it.They are trying to control their own life.That is not Christianity.
 
Kathi said:
Fear and anxiety go hand in hand.I have found that if I take a day at a time it helps.If I try to look ahead at something that I feel I have no control over it can cause all kinds of problems.We do not know what is going to happen in the next second.God does.God has the whole picture we do not.Something could happen in the next second that would totally change the whole picture.That is where faith comes in.Our lives are in God's hands.He has a plan for our lives.We have to trust in Him.What I do not understand is when a person is a Christian and they are doing everything the way they want to do it.They are trying to control their own life.That is not Christianity.
Click to expand...
farouk said:
jasoncran:

I guess it can be said that there are two kinds of fear in Scripture:

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

'The fearful and unbelieving...' (Revelation 21).

Blessngs.
Click to expand...
I don't think I am going to get over my fear of snakes any time soon. If I went to one of the snake handler churches I would knock a hole in the wall to get out. But the fear I want to get over is the fear of stepping out for the Lord and letting things we can't control get to us so much that we won't ever take a chance and go outside our comfort zone.
 
Having one feet in this world is a source of fear.

We fear for the bits we have not surrendered, as I think. Only full surrender gets rid of the fear, a I think.

Why we did not surrender everything? Why some bits are remaining? Because we are lacking in faith. So, I think, we begin with repent.
 
Sandy Zalecki said:
I don't think I am going to get over my fear of snakes any time soon. If I went to one of the snake handler churches I would knock a hole in the wall to get out. But the fear I want to get over is the fear of stepping out for the Lord and letting things we can't control get to us so much that we won't ever take a chance and go outside our comfort zone.
Click to expand...
You mean that their are some churches that handle snakes?Why?
 
Gary said:
We're also told we should fear the second death.
Click to expand...
the keep point you missed is that the word for fear isn't to be afraid as in we say it but to respect in reverence . yes it does have that to it our view of god shouldn't be that we are so afraid of him and view him as a cop waiting for us to break to the law and jail us. but more as a FATHER whom we please and want to do so because we love him.
 
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