Overcoming fear

A sermon from long ago that was sent to me by a dear brother in the Lord.

2^nd Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Ephesians 6:4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The wrong kind of fear comes upon children through their parent’s over-correction, over-reacting to accidents or abnormal incidents, insecurity from fighting, or fear of responsibility.

Results of fear:

Fear brings sickness.

Proverbs 15:13

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Fear brings bondage.

Proverbs 29:25

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

Job 3:25

For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.

Fear brings torment.

1^st John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Fear brings failure.

Judges 7:3

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.

Rejoice!

The Lord admonishes us not to allow fear to be ministered to us, as that would lead to defeat (failure). But rather, take courage in Him.

Isaiah 37:6

And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say unto your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words that thou hast heard, wherewith the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.

Jeremiah 1:8

Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

Exodus 14:13-14

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Psalms 91:5

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Deuteronomy 20:1-4

When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

Note the words of the priest who “shall approach and speak.” Given that we are made kings and priests, this falls to us. Speak and hold up the people. Also note, the battle is the Lord’s. If you are wearing yourself out you might be doing it wrong.

2^nd Chronicles 20:15

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Overcome:

1. By abiding in the Truth of God.

John 8:32

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Psalms 112:7-8

He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.

Who are our enemies? The forces and emissaries of darkness that interfere with our walk with Jesus.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Our own fallen, fleshly nature works against us and God’s will.

Romans 7:14-15

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:37

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Psalms 91:4

He shall cover thee with his feathers,and under his wings shalt thou trust:his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Proverbs 15:24

The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

2^nd Samuel 22:33

God is my strength and power :and he maketh my way perfect.

Isaiah 30:15

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:

Confidence; Heb. biṭḥâ- trust, trusting, confidence

Quietness; Heb. saqat- to be quiet, be tranquil, be at peace, rest, lie still, be undisturbed

Hebrews 10:35-36

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

2. By giving thanks:

Psalms 106:47

Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto thy holy name, and to triumph in thy praise.

1^st Thessalonians 5:18

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

3. By joy:

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Isaiah 12:3

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Proverbs 17:22_a

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:

Heed the warning here in Deut. 28:47-48! Watch out!

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

4. By active faith:

Isaiah 35:3-4

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Mountains are, by allegory, spiritual high places. Should the Lord lead you to move a physical mountain by faith could you do it? YES!

5. By seeking righteousness:

Romans 6:16

Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Proverbs 1:33

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Isaiah 54:14

In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

6. By seeking God:

Psalms 34:4

I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

7. By perfect love:

1^st John 4:18

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Matthew 14:14

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

See; Bind the strong man