Fear is a normal, natural flight response to a danger in our surroundings. But what happens when it is something more, when it is an emotion we feel simply getting into our car, leaving our house or being in a crowd. Are these feelings of fear normal? The answer to that is NO! This kind of fear is tormenting and it does NOT COME FROM OUR LOVING FATHER, GOD.
Job said this to his “friends” who came to supposedly help him but instead were being used by the devil to bring him down! “How long will you torment me and crush me with words?” (Job 19:2) God spoke to these “friends” of Job “…go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I WILL ACCEPT HIM, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.“ (Job 42:8)
This is important, “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE and of a SOUND MIND.” (2 Tim. 1:7) And of course remember, “There is NO FEAR IN LOVE; but perfect love CASTS OUT FEAR, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18) What exactly is PERFECT LOVE? “God is Love” Of course we all know it’s Jesus; the one who died on the cross to set us free from these tormenting spirits, but it is also Him moving through us in love for other people. For instance, if we are selfish and indulge our carnal flesh with things such as lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, and being manipulative we will also reap what we sow in fear. Sin, any kind of sin, attracts demonic spirits and the spirit of fear is usually the first one through the door. That is why Paul tells us to not be anxious for anything. Anxiety is a form of fear.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)
-Bill Stockham