Taking The Terror Out Of Terrorism

James O. Davis is the founder and president of Second Billion (TM). You are invited to learn more about Second Billion by visiting www.billion.tv.

TAKING THE TERROR OUT OF TERRORISM

By James O. Davis

Global Pastors Network

President

With the attack on America, the recent war in Iraq, economic recession and slow recovery, and the uncertainty about daily living, Americans are fearful about the future. People are now fighting a psychological warfare within themselves. They have lost a sense of security. In an April 19, 2003, Business Week edition, the column stated that more than seventy percent of all Americans are worried about their future. It seems that millions of people have developed allowed a “spirit of fear” to enter their lives. Jesus spoke of the last days and described them as “hearts failing them because of fear” (Luke 21:26). Yet, is the way God has intended for Christians to live our lives?

We need to remember that the ultimate terrorist is Satan himself. In Isaiah 14:12-17, the prophet describes the rise and fall of Satan. It was pride that made the devil the devil. Yet, the ultimate weapon of Satan is terror. Satan went from the highest of the high to the lowest of the low. In the end, a person has to squint to see him. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The way Satan keeps his slaves in tow is the chief weapon of terror. Yet, God commands us not to be terrorized by our adversaries (Phil. 1:28). Just like God brought down Satan, He will bring down terrorists today.

Why would God command us not to be terrified if it was impossible to overcome terror? The terrorist wants to keep us in terror. Yet, the Word of God has commanded us not to cooperate with the terrorists.

As humans, God has given us healthy and holy fears as gifts. Fear is productive and protective. Fear will cause us to lock our doors at night and to check our cholesterol. God has given us fear to help keep us alive and safe. The Bible teaches us to fear the Lord. Yet, this is not the “spirit of fear” but the spirit of worship (Matt. 10:28). The one, who fears God the most, loves Him the best (Prov. 1:7). The fear of the Lord is a clean fear not a filthy fear (Ps. 19:9; 89:7). Godly fear is holy. God is awesome, not awful!

Normal fears are healthy. For example running for cover from a tornado is a healthy fear. Yet, the spirit of fear is like a cold front that comes in and never leaves. Every day is cold, dreary, and dark. A normal fear is like a thunder storm but the spirit of fear is like a fog that never lifts.

How does one take the terror out of terrorism? How does one have peace of mind in a chaotic world? In 1 Timothy, 1:6-8, the Word of God gives the steps to taking terror out terrorism and fear out of our future.

First, the Holy Spirit energizes us with power (1 Tim. 1:8a). The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear (Ps. 27:1)? Did you know the person who can kneel before God can stand before anybody? No one compares to our awesome God!

We become weak and terrorized is because we think are inferior and that a greater force than us is coming against us. But, when you recognize that you are on the side of might and power, then you will not be afraid.

The Apostle Paul went on to say to Timothy that he was not afraid to die. He said, “I know who I believe. He did not say, “I know what I believe.” He did not say, “I know why I believe.” He did not say, “I know in whom I have believed.” There was no preposition between Paul and Christ. He said, “I know whom I believe and I am persuaded that He will keep that which I have committed unto him (1 Tim. 1:9-12).

The Apostle Paul did not write his inspirational words from an air conditioned home. He wrote these words from prison, scheduled to be beheaded. He found himself in a dirty, dark, dang dungeon cell. Yet, even though other men were afraid for their lives, Paul was free because he had a proper perspective about his life and his times.

It is one thing to write down the sermon notes, it is another thing to know God personally and be persuaded that He is in charge of your life. We need to have a bull dog grip on God. We must not doubt our beliefs and belief our doubts. Once we have come face to face with our God, then we doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs!