Last Wednesday, we began a study on fear – what causes it and how to overcome it. The times we are in are unsettling for many. Changes are afoot in many areas. While God is in control of what is happening, many are still struggling with the changes – not knowing what the future holds specifically for them. While we can’t give you an answer as to what specific pathway God will take you down, we can address what the Bible says about your response. Your response, which will be reflected in what you believe, will determine the final outcome of your situation as well as the sense of wellbeing you will have going down the pathway. Last week, we looked at three factors of fear:

1. Fear enters the vacuum where love is absent.
2. Fear causes major conflict with faith.
3. Fear begins as an experience but continues as a belief.

Let’s begin tonight with a verse that defines our personhood in Christ and move on from there:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. /// 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) 

This scripture comes with some basic understandings:

When we are born again, the attitudes, spiritual connections, and beliefs of the world are broken off us. Unfortunately, many continue to hang on to those attitudes, connections, and beliefs even though their power is broken. We receive liberty over these things through faith. God does the liberating but we receive it by faith. Whatever we have faith for is what will manifest. That’s the role we play in what manifests in our lives: do we believe the truth of the Bible or do we continue to hang on to the beliefs of death from the past? The power to change is present – but we must release it through faith. We have been given a new Spirit that is from God. It is the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Himself. Knowing Jesus equates to knowing strength. Jesus felt fear in His time on earth (Garden of Gethsemane) but He didn’t allow it to control Him. He operated out of the Holy Spirit which always led in the direction of the Word of God. 

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. /// 2 Corinthians 3:17

Liberty from what? Any hindrances of the world – including fear. The Spirit God has given us has three characteristics that destroy fear: 

     1.     Power

Fear comes when our belief in God’s power wanes.  Did you notice that a fear of “losing” is directly tied to the operation of fear? The Spirit that we have within us has ALL power! God is all powerful! He has control over nations, economies, jobs, diseases – you name it. If your knowledge of God’s power wanes, you will experience fear.

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." /// Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Say with me: “Nothing is impossible with God!” Again!

     2.     Love

This is what we spoke of last week. When we know and believe the love God has for us, we are secure and don’t fear. Fear enters when love is absent. If you know and rely upon the love God has for you – exhibited best in His death on the cross for you, you will not experience fear. So, think of this: if you believe in God’s power over everything and you believe everything He does for you has love as the motive, you will not fear!

     3.     Sound mind.

The final thing the Spirit releases to us that destroys fear is a sound mind.

A sound mind is actually the outcome of knowing and relying upon God’s power and love. A sound mind does not fear because it is controlled by faith in the power and love of God! Say to yourself: “I have a sound mind!”

Today’s Scriptures:

•   2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
•   2 Corinthians 3:17
•   Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Check us out and share us with your family & friends!

• Website: www.capstone.church
• Facebook: facebook.com/capstonebenbrook
• Instagram: instagram.com/capstonebenbrook
• Twitter: twitter.com/capstonebnbrook
• Vimeo: vimeo.com/capstonebenbrook
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxV7ZEP5t_MIOv6N1kyKOQg