The word “fear” appears 356 times in the Amplified Bible; the word “afraid” appears 167 times, and the phrases “do not fear,” “fear not,” or “be not afraid” appear 71 times. The frequency of these phrases shows us that every day life will present circumstances and situations which can generate fear, doubt, worry, and unbelief. The word “faith” appears 346 times in the Amplified Bible. Christians must choose to live by faith. Let’s examine the differences between faith and fear:
What Is Faith?
Faith is a belief and trust in God, His Word (the Bible), and Jesus Christ.
- Faith in God equips and empowers us to succeed and prosper.
- Faith comes from God; He chooses and calls us into a relationship with Him.
- Faith in God is demonstrated and activated by the words we speak; words that are in
agreement with God’s Word. - Faith in God is fueled by unconditional love, compassion, and a willingness to serve
others and put their needs before our own. - Faith in God will cancel out, overcome, and conquer fear and it will always defeat Satan.
- Faith in God and His Word will set us free from bondage, guilt, and condemnation.
- Faith in God gives us courage, confidence, and expectant hope.
- Faith in God leads to our salvation, victory, and eternal life in heaven.
- “So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself)” (Romans 10:17, AMP).
- “NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]” (Hebrews 11:1, AMP).
What is Fear?
Fear is a doubt and unbelief in God and in His Word; belief in the lies of Satan; a state of dread, uneasiness, worry or anxiousness.
- Fear is faith in reverse or faith contaminated.
- Fear is when we believe our circumstances are bigger that God.
- Fear equips and empowers us to fail; it paralyzes us and causes us to make poor
decisions and choices. - Fear works like a magnet and attracts or draws the very things we fear the most.
- Fear comes from Satan; it is a demonic spirit, not an emotion or feeling.
- Fear is demonstrated and activated by the words we speak; words that are in agreement
with Satan’s lies and that ultimately lead to spiritual and physical destruction, even death. - Fear is fueled by our negative emotions: selfishness, anger, hurt, despair, greed, envy,
jealousy, and insecurity. - Fear is overcome by faith in God, His Word, and walking in integrity and faithfulness to the
Word of God. - Fear keeps you in bondage to sin, addiction, strongholds, and generational curses.
- Fear produces despair and hopelessness. Constant prolonged fear leads to spiritual
and physical death, destruction, and eternal torment in hell. - Fear is the belief that God does not really love us and that God’s promises are not true.
- Fear is based in selfishness and is an expression of our desire to preserve or protect self.
- Fear gives Satan power and opens the door for him to operate in your life.
- Fear destroys our confidence while faith builds it up.
- Fear brings worry, torment, and unrest while faith brings peace and contentment.
- “For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me” (Job 3:25).
- “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control” (2Timothy 4:7).
Trusting God, Living by Faith, and Overcoming Fear
- God’s love, mercy, and grace for us is so great that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ
to die for our sins. - God defeated Satan in heaven and Jesus defeated Satan on earth when He died
on the cross. - The blood of Jesus was shed on the cross for our sins giving us reconciliation with
God, deliverance and redemption from our sins, and healing from sickness. - We can overcome all temptations and trials and nothing is impossible for us through
Christ who strengthens us. - Jesus came and died on the cross to give us peace (prosperity, happiness, health,
wholeness and completeness) in every area of our lives; on the other hand, Satan’s
mission is to steal, kill, and destroy. - We are heirs to every promise in God’s Word; He always honors us when we honor Him;
He will never leave us or forsake us. - Through our faith in God and His Son Jesus Christ, we have dominion, power,
and authority over all the earth and over all the power of Satan, our enemy. - Walking in obedience to God’s Word guarantees His protection, provision and favor.
- “For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!” (Romans 8:15, AMP).
- “As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:36-37, NIV).
- “And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians, 4:19, AMP).
- “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice [Acts 18:10.]” (Isaiah 41:10).
- “HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!” (Psalms 91:1-2, AMP).
- “Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me” (Psalms 23:4).
- “[Elisha] answered, Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them” (2Kings 6:16).
- “And he said, O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you! Be strong, yes, be strong. And when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me” (Daniel 10:19).
- “According to the promise that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit stands and abides in the midst of you; fear not” (Haggai 2:5).
Summary
What fears are you facing in your personal or professional life? Remember, fear is not from God. It is from Satan. As Christians, we can overcome fear and defeat Satan every time by standing on God’s Word and trusting Him. By taking the following steps you can consistently overcome fear in difficult situations and tests:
- Read, study, meditate on the Word of God and trust in God and His Word.
- Remember WHO you are and WHOSE you are.
- Examine yourself. Learn where your fear comes from. Identify what you are afraid of?
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Listen to His voice and be quick to obey His promptings.
- Encourage yourself. Be courageous and bold. Remember, the battle has
already been won. - Refuse to speak curses over your life.
- In every situation, look beyond the surface and discern the presence of
spiritual warfare; put on the whole armor of God which is the Word of God. - Use God’s Word against Satan; speak and say the Word out loud–remember,
thinking it is not enough. - Walk in the strength and power of the Spirit of God–walk in love!
- Decide that you are going to live by faith and apply the Word to your
everyday life no matter what.
Self Reflection & Application
- What did you learn from these verses? What truth was revealed to you?
- Do you think God’s ways of bestowing blessings, protection, wealth, and prosperity are
still at work today? If not, why not? - What are you afraid of? What help do you need?
- What is the Holy Spirit calling you to do?
- Have you done the last thing God told you to do?
- Have you prayed and asked God to speak to you about this subject?
What did God tell you?
Gary L. Selman is an accomplished author, executive coach and motivational speaker. He has spent over thirty five years pursuing his calling, encouraging, mentoring and equipping others to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God and to become compassionate, faithful and disciplined servant leaders. Gary and his wife Karen are founders of the First Call Advisory Group, which ministers to business owners, corporate executives and entrepreneurs. Gary holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical & Community Psychology from Stephen F. Austin University. He can be reached at gary@yourfirstcall.net