Faith or Fear? Fight or Flight?
One of satan’s greatest tools in paralyzing believers is fear. He cleverly uses it to manipulate believers out of the purpose they were created for, leading them astray. And the world is falling even further into his trap through submitting unto evil and committing evil, creating further chaos to which so many fall prey and victim to. Double checking over your shoulders when walking in the underground parking area beneath the shopping center, or experiencing fear for the safety of your children and what their future might hold. How about the uncertainty and turmoil that keeps you up at night when seeing the economy in shards, not knowing if whether you’ll be able to pay next month’s rent. Feeling an overwhelming sense of worry, to the point of fear, afraid of being singled out, exploited for your faith – afraid to stand when others don’t? It happens! Whether it be subtly at the breaktime table with colleagues or publicly in your sports team when you’re the one not partaking in vulgar jokes. On top of that, the world is normalizing anxiety as we evidently see it more and more arise in children, in adults, in believers!
What’s worse is; many fall for it simply because they do not stand in God’s truth, His promises and do not use God’s given weapons at their disposal to fight against it in the name of Jesus! They fail to trust in God.
You may wonder; “Fight? How do you fight against world economy? Or the crime rate?”. Or even better; “The Bible says persecution will come, how do you want me to fight against that?”.
My dear brother and sister if we attempt to level our fight on satan’s grounds, or the world’s, we confine our weapons just the same and ultimately it’ll end with our spiritual demise.
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.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
Know that satan will lie and deceive and do everything in his power to create stumbling blocks along your way, watching to see if you’ll fall into his trap. And fear is most definitely one of his snares! There’s an ongoing battle for your soul! And yet, we can praise and rejoice because the war is already won through the victory of Jesus Christ. Yes, there is a solution! Yes, He is the answer and most certainly, yes, He has provided us with everything we need to be victorious over fear… because He has already defeated it!
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
What should absolutely shock us to our core is God’s stern warning of continuing in a life filled with fear:
Revelation 12:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Know, without a doubt, that fear is not from God! Rather, He speaks against it, warning us to turn from fear. And if fear is not from God, it can be and is then only from satan! God in His faithfulness, does not leave us to stand in this battle on our own, He knows that we won’t be able to. Instead, through Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit, God calls us to trust Him and to stand in the victory and strength of Jesus Christ. The great news is – He has already given us everything to do just that:
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
We’ll look, in just a moment, how we can apply this in our day to day life with, yes, very real situations that we experience. Situations that will evoke fear within any person not equipped with the truth to stand and fight against it.
That being said, it does not mean we do not come across certain circumstances where we experience a genuine concern for something. Yes, fear and concern are two separate states of emotions.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, fear can be defined as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by an anticipation or awareness of danger by being afraid or frightened. Whereas concern can be defined as a marked interest or regard usually arising through a personal tie or relationship, or an uneasy state of blended interest, an uncertainty.
On a spiritual level – in terms of our walk of faith, concern in comparison to fear bears very different fruits:
| CONCERN | FEAR |
|---|---|
| 1. Draws us closer to God through prayer. | 1. Takes us away from God, with circumstances, media and the news as our focus. |
| 2. Not self-centered, more about others. | 2. Self-centered |
| 3. We want to reach out and support others. | 3. We withdraw and isolate ourselves. |
| 4. We have hope through faith that the Lord will come through for us in our time of need. | 4. We suppress faith with doubt. |
| 5. We stay calm and remain constant in prayer for wisdom. | 5. Our behaviour change, giving opportunity for satan to manipulate. |
Jeremiah 17:7
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.
The Lord is not unfamiliar with you, nor the circumstances you face each day; instead He knows you more deeply and intimately than anything or anyone can or ever will. (Psalm 139) And He promises to supply in your needs in His perfect way, in line with Scripture and within His perfect timing. (Matthew 6:30-34) But, what He asks from you is to turn away from fear, to lay down your concerns at His feet with a sincerity and a trust that He will take care of it because He loves and cares for you and will never ever leave you. (Psalm 9:10, 1 Peter 5:7) It starts with a choice and that choice is maintained through abiding prayerfully and thankfully in the presence of God:
Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God.
That being said, it does not mean challenging circumstances won’t come your way. Like mentioned above; believers will experience persecution because Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and He was wrongly hated for it, just as we will also experience hatred, just like many believers already do. ( 2 Timothy 3:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12, John 15:18-20, Hebrews 11:35b-38 etc.) The Word of God also says that we will experience trails, pruning and will be refined like silver. (James 1:2-4) Following Jesus does not give you a free exclusion ticket from the difficulties and challenges you will experience, are experiencing. But, instead, Jesus promises to be with you every step of the way and provide you with peace, in the midst of whatever situation you may face:
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Isaiah 26:3-4
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
Moreover, Jesus has set for us the perfect example on how to stand firm against fear and against satan’s snares causing that fear:
- Jesus quoted Scripture, thus memorizing it since He was a boy. Therefore, mediate on Scripture, memorize it.
- He demonstrated how God’s Word is food to our spirits.
- We merely exist without the Word of God.
- We live by internalizing His Word.
- Jesus declares that every word in Scripture is important .
- He declares that the Scripture is God’s divinely inspired Word.
- He demonstrates the power of speaking Scripture out loud.
- The Word of God is our weapon against satan, just as Jesus used it in the desert sending the devil away.
- Satan seizes every opportunity to ensnare us, especially when we’re weak. But, we are never too weak to declare the Word of God – if we know it!
- Jesus’ process:
- Recognize satan’s lie by reflecting and determining if whether your thoughts are in harmony with God’s Word or not.
- Nullify the lie by speaking principles of Truth from God’s Word.
Psalm 27:1
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?
The Lord promises that He will keep those who trust in Him, who keeps their mind fixed on Him, in perfect peace. (Isaiah 26:3) He is our salvation, He is our strength and our song. (Isaiah 12:2) In times of trouble, in times of concern, trust in the Lord, praise His Word and declare Scripture for He is your faithful and steadfast deliverance! (Psalm 56:3-4)
Therefore, put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), trust in the Lord, stand firm in truth and in God’s Word and remain steadfast in Jesus’ strength and victory. Fight the good fight of faith!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. – John 16:33
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