Winning Against The Spirit Of Fear

SCRIPTURE: 2 TIMOTHY 1:7

It appears that Pastor Timothy (Pastor of the church at Ephesus) may have been struggling with operating in the giftings that God had placed in him.

ILLUSTRATIVE STORY

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room." A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!”

• I know this is funny but fear is not…

INTRODUCTION:

Today we will talk about…

• What fear is and what it is not

• Warring against fear in the Spirit

• What causes fear & How to conquer it

I. WHAT FEAR IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT

A. Fear - A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger.

1. Fear’s goal is to cause us to live in torment - 1 John 4:18.

B. Fear is NOT being afraid. There is a difference in being afraid and being fearful.

1. It’s natural to be afraid occasionally. It’s the defense mechanism that God put inside of us to help us ward off danger.

2. It is un-natural to experience a prolonged season of fear. We need to guard against the “Spirit of Fear”.

C. The natural progression of fear.

1. Fear begins with a thought (sometimes abrupt, sometimes gradual)

2. Fear transitions to dread (dread feeds anguish)

3. Dread transitions to terror (terror takes over your soul)

II. PUTTING FEAR IN ITS PLACE

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

A. Understand that it’s not God that gives you the “Spirit of Fear”.

1. Fear is the work of our enemy and it comes from Satan and many times others.

2. Satan works through intimidation and offense. Give no place to these things.

B. God has given us the “Spirit of Power”

1. This is Holy Spirit

2. Help others receive and identify the works of Holy Spirit in their daily life. (Seeing God at work helps alleviate fear)

C. God has given us the “Spirit of Love”

1. God can help you walk in love even when you are surrounded by enemies.

2. Psalms 23 …a table before me in the presence of mine enemies…

D. God has given us a “Sound Mind”

1. The devil will try to drive you crazy. He will blind you to the truth etc…

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

2. Philippians 2:1-16 - Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…

III. WHAT CAUSES FEAR AND HOW TO CONQUER IT.

A. What causes fear?

1. Impending Threats (Many times people will use threats to manipulate others)

2. Being Alone (Especially after the loss of a loved one through, divorce, death, or some other kind of loss)

3. Life Changes (Jobs changes, moving to a different area, change in schools, retirement)

4. Phobia’s (spiders, frogs, Arachibutyrophobia- Fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of the mouth. Go to www.phobialist.com for more.

5. The Enemy of our Soul etc…

B. Conquering Fear

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1. An Exposition of Godly Love - I John 4:7-21

C. Perfect Love - love that is constantly maturing - cast out fear…

1. The Word is your weapon.

2. Love is your weapon.

3. Praying in the Spirit is your weapon.

CLOSING - 1 John 5:4

• You and Jesus can conquer fear

• No More Fear!