Victory Over Fear

VICTORY OVER FEAR

Intro: Fear = 396 X in Bible Afraid = 190 X in Bible Be not Afraid = 26 X

Greek Definitions of fear and afraid

Fear: 1. An agitated feeling aroused by awareness of actual of threatening danger, trouble, etc. ; dread; terror. 2. An uneasy feeling that something may happen contrary to one's desires. 3. A feeling of deep, reverential awe and dread. 4. A continuing state or attitude of fright, dread, or alarmed concern: to live in fear. 5. The possibility that something dreaded or unwanted may occur. (Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dict.)

Scripture: Isaiah 12:2

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

I. HEALTHY FEAR

A. Fear of Dangerous Situations

1. Crossing the Street

2. Falling from high places

B. Fear of being Punished

1. Basis for discipline

2. Foundation of Societal Laws

C. Fear of God -- #3 -- Reverential Fear

Scriptures:

Isaiah 12:2 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Proverbs 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Psalms 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Job 28:28 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

2 Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ephesian 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

II. UNHEALTHY FEAR

A. Fear that paralyzes people--the fear that gets into the heart and mind and creates

Tension and worry, and that keeps a person from enjoying life and doing his best.

I meet people every week who are afraid of life, afraid of death, afraid of the past,

afraid of the future---in fact, people whose lives are being enslaved by fear.

III. SOME CAUSES OF FEAR

A. A Guilty Conscience

1. Whenever we disobey God, we lose our close fellowship with Him, and that

spiritual loneliness creates fear.

Gen 3:10 Adam and Eve And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

2. We wonder if anybody knows what we have done.

Isa 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

3. We worry about being found out, and hope no tragic consequences come

from ours sins.

Ps 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Solution: Confess and forsake the sin.

B. Often fear is caused by Ignorance.

1. Fear of the unknown

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

2. Fear of the future for ourselves or others.

Jeremiah 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.

C. Our own feeling of Weakness

1. Unmanageable crisis

Exodus 14:10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

2. We feel helpless and afraid Judges7:3 Gideon and his men

Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.

D. Fear may occur after a great victory in one's life. Often there is an emotional let

down,and fear rushes in.