There are two primary definitions of fear in the dictionary. First is an unpleasant feeling brought on by an approaching threat, danger, or evil, whether actual or imagined. The other is reverent awe, like the awe of the Lord. “God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but rather the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). So, why God did not give us a spirit of fear?
Scripture commands Christians to have no fear because we have God. Fear frequently has no basis in reality. According to the word’s definition, it cannot be used to refer to reverential awe because that would be illogical. Worse yet, when we are afraid, we forget that the spirit God gave us is within us and it is not a spirit of cowardice. Take note that He is still in charge.
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Why Has God Not Given Us The Spirit Of Fear?
God commands us to “be still and know that I am God” at difficult times. In other words, Psalm 46:10 instructs us to observe silence and to remember the Lord. To remind yourself that the nature and qualities of God are, spiritually, like buckling up your seatbelt. Even though there may be more turbulence, you are safe and protected.
We can only learn to trust God in everything through the application of the Scripture by the Holy Spirit in our hearts. We can get relief from the burden of stress as well as from the scourges of uncertainty and fear. We should stand out as individuals who take risks even when the future is uncertain, individuals whose lives show a quiet serenity and calm assurance because we have developed a perfect trust in God.
What Does It Mean To Not Have A Spirit Of Fear?
A person with a fearful or timid spirit may be reluctant to share the gospel or defend the accuracy of God’s word[1]. This occurs as a result of a sensation of impending threat or danger, whether it be genuine or imagined.
To put it another way, they are terrified of the repercussions of their conduct. The work of the kingdom of God is still important, but it is put on hold while this fear dominates. Not because they lack power, but rather because they cease acting out of fear, this individual becomes paralyzed and ineffectual.
Fear is at the core of a great percentage of mental, emotional, and physical illnesses. We deal with a lot of tension, worry, and anxiety in this life because of a spirit of fear. In the end, fear will convince you that God is a liar, is not as good as He claims to be, and cannot be trusted. This cannot be. God is more merciful than we can imagine. He is nothing but pure goodness.
What Does The Bible Say About The Spirit Of Fear?
The Bible often tells us not to be afraid; some say it appears 365 times, but it is undoubtedly more than a hundred times. It is significant to notice that the Bible makes reference to a variety of fears. The fear of the Lord is one beneficial form. It is not necessary to be terrified of the Lord. Instead, it is a deep respect for the Lord and His grandeur. It results from understanding His greatness and generates wisdom and worship.
In our world, the concept of fear is not new. Fear appears in Scripture from the very beginning and permeates all of its pages. While fear may always be a part of our life, how we deal with it is what counts. It is simple to let a spirit of dread possess you. Fear will prevent you from pursuing God’s calling on your life.
2 Timothy 1:7
The apostle Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7 that “God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a clear mind.” Timothy needed the motivation to overcome his cautious personality and be brave for the gospel, and Paul was aware of this. Initially, the word “fear” also meant cowardice or timidity.
Paul was urging Timothy not to allow the spirit of fear to prevent him from sharing the good news of Jesus with others. We could cower in the face of resistance, persecution, and hardships if we were under the influence of fear. The Holy Spirit of God desires for us to move into His will confidently.
Fear Turns Into A Prison
“When the evening breeze was blowing, the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden” (Genesis 3:8). Adam and Eve were made by God so that He could interact with them. They freely conversed with God throughout their free days.
We want to hide from everyone, including God when fear takes hold. We remain captives due to our fear. Fear can have complete power over us to the point where we turn away and hide from God, whether we fear the future, being sick, or losing our jobs. You can focus your attention on the One who aids in your transition from the darkness of fear to the light of freedom through prayer and worship in God’s presence.
How Should We Respond To Fear?
Applying God’s word and your faith to the situation is the only way to overcome fear. There is no other way to have faith but to know God and His word. God promised He would never desert or abandon you.
If God is for us, who can be against us? You may say with assurance, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Nothing can harm us if God is on our side, and no one can touch us (Romans 8:31; Psalms 118:6). His words claim that he has endowed us with a spirit of great power, love, peace, sound judgment, personal discipline, and self-control. In the midst of chaos, God brings comfort.
God Hath Spirit Of Love For Us All
All fear is wiped out by perfect love (1 John 4:18). Fear conjures up images of retribution, but when we experience God’s love for us, His mercy, sound mind, and His forgiveness, we are free from worrying about what He might do to us. The Lord is only feared by people who do not know Him.
Another solution for fear is love. Think of a father attempting to rescue his young child by running into a burning structure. Real love overcomes fear. As God’s children, we develop and sanctify ourselves through the sanctification process to the point where we genuinely love others. According to Ephesians 2:10, God hath prepared good works for us to do so that we can complete them.
Hope Triumphs Over Fear
The world is not within our control. Despite our best efforts to plan for every scenario, we cannot control the weather, our health, other people, or anything else. But God is in complete control. Additionally, he is fully aware of what will occur. We can only overcome fear by placing our faith in Him.
We can read His promises in His Word whenever we need to be reminded. We can communicate with spiritual guides or pray to Him. We shall become more adept at overcoming fear the more we cling to Him. We must allow God’s love to cast out fear, even if it takes some time.
Conclusion
Just one more reminder. Paul begs the reader not to worry in Philippians 4 and then provides two further “antidotes” to fear: prayer and expressing thanks. He instructs us to communicate our wants to God, but he does not mention how those needs would be satisfied. Instead, he assures us that Jesus Christ will keep our hearts and minds under the control of God’s peace.
To serve others and carry out God-honoring activities on earth, we may overcome fear through God’s love. The ability to conquer fear, the will to act in the face of difficulties, and the insight to recognize when action is required are all given to God’s children.
