BIBLICAL BRIEFS 22
It has to be kept in mind that fear overwhelmed humanity after the fall of man. After man had sinned, the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” The covering of glory (Rom. 3:23), which we have lost in Adam, resulted in us feeling extradited and exposed, and therefore we experience fear. Believers DID receive back that covering in Christ, although our soul dimension (especially our emotions and thoughts) is still programmed to stay in a state of fear. 1 Joh. 4:18 states that “fear involves punishment” – for this reason, you have to make absolutely sure that you DO BELIEVE that God wants to do you good, that He loves you and protects you. It is of utmost importance that you do make this a reality in your life. Deal with your feelings of being an abandoned child. Man’s thoughts are prone to conjure up phantoms, which are always worse than what reality could be. Through suggestions of the adversary, you become an active partner in this cycle of fear in which you are mentally and emotionally abused. Draw the line! This can only be made possible if we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds (Rom.12: 2), because only He can break the yoke of fear (Isa.10:27). First of all, confess your fear as disbelief and a lack of love. Turn your back on your physical or potential circumstances and fix your spiritual eyes on Him. (Heb. 12: 2). Ask Him to pour out the love of God in your heart (Rom. 5: 5) and also concomitantly drive out all fear. Perfect love drives out all fear (1 John 4:18). In order to walk in this faith, it is important to keep confessing what God has revealed to you regarding your situation – it is not a blind belief in general truths, but rather that which He specifically spoke over you and your situation. Rom 10:10-11: “For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” Simultaneously, it is of utmost importance that you praise the Lord for the current situation you are in – be full of praise, notwithstanding bad circumstances. 1 Thess. 5:18 states unequivocally: “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus“. Persist in this, and know: “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7).
Dr. Tom Gouws
