Conquering Fear

 

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. But every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.  You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us.  This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God  is love. This is how God showed his love: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us,  we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if  we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.  We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in  God. And so we know  and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in the world we are like him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect loves drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love." I John  4:1-18

 

This is one of those passages of Scripture that I have studied, camped on and claimed.  I have had some things in my life occur that caused me to feel fearful for extended periods of time.  Because of that, I basically developed a "fear habit."  Do you know what I mean? The more we are controlled by fear, the more we are controlled by fear.  Once we start the vicious cycle, it can quickly become engrained in our minds.  So much so that fear becomes our "home page" and we automatically respond to situations with fear.

 

But this passage says that there is no fear in love.  What does that even mean?  For me, it means that fear happens when I feel uncertain about the outcome of a certain situation.  When that happens, I am basically saying that I am afraid God will not protect me and provide for me.  In other words, in that situation, I am not receiving the love the God has for me.  But when I truly recall how deep, resolute and unchanging his love for me is, I gain confidence in my safety in Christ.  Knowledge of his love for me dispels that fear.  Sometimes I have to meditate on what his love means to me.  I do not just mean sentimentally, but in actual practice.  Because God loves me, he works all things for my good.  Because he loves me, he hurts when I hurt.  Because he loves me, he will not let my needs go unmet.  Because he loves me, he cleans up my messes.  Because he loves me, he forgives me.  Because he loves me, he makes my enemies to live at peace with me.  Because he loves me, he is my vindicator.  Because he loves me, he is my shield and defense. 

As you are probably aware, most of all the declaration I just made are paraphrases of what the Bible tells me the Father will do on my behalf.  Talk to yourself.  Do as David did- encourage yourself in the Lord! 

 

"Fear has to do with punishment."    Another version says "fear has to do with torment."  Fear is indeed linked to both punishment and torment!  Fear makes me think something awful is going to happen to me because I  deserve it.  Fear is also very tormenting.  Oftentimes our fear of what may happen is worse than when the event actually occurs.

 

Are you being tormented by fear? Do you have phobias that control you? That is not God's will for your life.  That is a wrong mindset and does not originate with God.  Begin to meditate on this verse and ask God to allow his perfect love to drive out your fear today.

 

 

Dear Lord, I do not want to fear.  Please break any chains of fear that are attached to me.  Help me to fully understand and accept your love.  Thank you for being my deliverer.  In Jesus' Name..  Amen.

 

Sherri