OVERCOMING FEAR

By Cyril Rayan

Man needs to have only one fear, which is the fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. Let all the earth fear the Lord, Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For he spoke and it was done; He commanded and it stood fast. (Psalm 33:8-9). Now therefore let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it…(2 Chr 19:7)

Why does fear come to a man?

1. Disobedience to God leads to fear. God put Adam and eve in the Garden of Eden and they were walking with God. But when they disobeyed God they were conscious about their body. Until then they were spirit beings communing with God. They were at peace and did not have any fear until they disobeyed God. Their disobedience resulted in the fall of man. So he said " I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself ". (Gen 3:10)

2. Lack of faith in God leads to fear. Jesus and his disciples were sailing in a boat and Jesus slept during the journey. There was a windstorm in the lake and the boat was filling with water. The disciples were afraid and woke Jesus up to alert him of the dangerous storm. Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the raging water and there was a calm. He rebuked the disciples for not having faith. (Luke 8:22-25). Faith and fear are antonyms. We are the children of God and we belong to the most high God who is the creator of the heavens and the earth. We are God’s children and have nothing to fear.

3. Persecution, natural calamities like earthquakes and thunderstorms, suspicion, uncertainty, war, fear of man, our future are other causes of fear.

4. Fear of Death. Jesus died on the cross to destroy the devil that had the power of death. He conquered death and he rose from the dead on the third day. Thereby he released those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb 2:14-15)

How to overcome fear?

1. Confess the word of God that he has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of love, power and a sound mind.(2 Tim 1:7). The evil one comes to steal, kill and destroy. He comes to instill fear in us but the fact is God has given us the authority to trample over serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing by shall any means hurt us. (Luke 10:19). We need to exercise our authority to overcome fear. We need to resist the demon of fear and he will flee from us. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

2. Seek God to overcome fear. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, And delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4). I have set the Lord before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures evermore. (Psalm 16:8,11). God’s presence brings fullness of joy and will eliminate fear. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)

3. Read and meditate the word of God. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32). The word of God is the truth and this truth can deliver us from the demon of fear. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. When we love God’s laws we will spend a lot of time reading the word and we will have great peace. When we have peace we do not have fear.

4. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit. …And the anointing oil will destroy the yoke. (Isaiah 10:27). The anointing of the Holy Spirit will destroy the bondage caused by fear

5. Trust in God and obey Him. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4). Even if we are in a very tough situation we should not fear for the Lord is with us to comfort us and help us. When the Israelites thought that they had reached a dead end when they saw the Red sea in front of them. Moses said to the people, " Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The LORD will fight for you and you shall hold your peace. (Exo 14:13-14).