Fear is one of the enemy’s most effective weapons against believers. If he can get you to fear, he can stop your faith. Fear is not from God. The Bible says plainly, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” If fear is working in your life, you can be sure it is not from the Lord.
Many Christians tolerate fear because they do not realize what it is doing to them. Fear robs you of peace. It hinders your ability to hear from God. It keeps you from stepping out in obedience. It paralyzes and weakens. That is why it must be dealt with firmly. You cannot afford to allow fear to remain in your life.
One of the first things to understand is that fear is a spirit. It is not just a feeling or a natural reaction. It is a spiritual force sent to oppose you. If you treat it like a mere feeling, you will not overcome it. You must resist it with the Word of God, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Word says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” That includes resisting fear. You resist fear by speaking the Word. Fear operates through thoughts, but thoughts can be answered. When fear comes, open your mouth and declare what God says. Say, “God has not given me a spirit of fear.” Say, “I will not fear, for the Lord is with me.” Say, “Perfect love casts out fear.”
Fear must be answered immediately. If you let it linger, it will gain ground. Do not meditate on fearful thoughts. Do not rehearse them in your mind. Cast them down. Replace them with God’s promises. The more you feed on the Word, the stronger your spirit will become. And a strong spirit will dominate fear.
Praying in the Spirit is also a powerful weapon against fear. When you pray in other tongues, your spirit is built up. The peace of God rises up within you. Fear cannot operate in the atmosphere of God’s peace. If fear tries to grip you, take time to pray in the Spirit until the peace of God floods your heart.
Another key is to stay full of the love of God. The Bible says, “Perfect love casts out fear.” Fear and love cannot operate in the same place. As you walk in love and stay conscious of God’s love for you, fear will lose its hold. Remind yourself daily that God loves you and that His love is greater than any situation you face.
Fear will come to everyone at some point. The issue is not whether it comes, but whether you yield to it. You do not have to yield. You can stand your ground in faith. You can overcome fear every time with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you will resist fear, refuse to think on it, speak the Word boldly, pray in the Spirit, and walk in love, you will live free from fear. The days ahead will require believers who are fearless and full of faith. Now is the time to take your stand. Do not let fear rule you. Rise up in faith. Overcome it — and walk in the victory God has provided. God is with us!
