I was reading an article the other day that said in today’s culture fear influences our behavior and action more than anything else. That statement made me reflect on 2 Timothy 1:7 that says "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Two things stand out to me as I think about that. First, scripture identifies fear as a spirit. Second, the spirit of fear does not come from God. God does not want us to live in fear because of the negative impact it has on our lives. If fear influences our actions and fear is not of God, then it is safe to say that fear influences us to live substandard lives that don’t line up with what God would have for us.
So, we must ask ourselves this question, what would our lives look like if we live by faith and not fear?
What if we lived a life where the predominant influencer was God and not our fears? Fear is a crippling agent, and it prevents and prohibits us from fulfilling our destiny and operating in our gifting. We are living in a time where we need the church to stand up and be the people of faith God has called us to be. When you live in fear, it impacts more than your life. Your spouse needs you to live a life full of faith and not fear, your children need you to live a life full of faith and not fear, your coworkers, your friends and your community need you to live in faith.
We should live a life that is driven and motivated by a deep conviction and belief in the word of God that declares that we have not been given the Spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. That is the spirit that God has instilled in his people, and while this world desires to take it from us, the power of the Holy Spirit is able to undergird us in all our ways as we choose to live for God.
Finally Proverbs 29:25 tells us that the fear of man is a trap, but he who trusts in the Lord shall be safe.
So I ask you, what blessing is your fear entrapping or keeping you from? Is your fear of sharing that testimony keeping you from serving as confirmation from God to your fellow believer? Is your fear of being generous keeping you from a financial turnaround? Whatever it may be, know that while the world is telling you it’s normal to be fearful God is saying it’s not beneficial and to fear not.
Point of Reflection:
Thoughtfully identify a recent choice that you had to make and dissect if you used faith or fear to determine your decision.
“The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.“
