August 21, 2019, | Pastor Nathan Elms
Foundations:
Fear is a part of life. Fear, in context, can be the right emotion.
Yet fear can also be our enemy. Indeed, fear is the currency of the devil.
Fear is the common battle of all believers. There are 365 times in the scripture where we are commanded to overcome our fear.
The opposite of faith isn't doubt – it is fear.
There are three great enemies of the church 1. A wounded spirit. 2.) A railing spirit. 3.) A fearful spirit
Question: How can I tell the difference between normal fear and spiritual oppression?
Importantly, the correct initial response is always practical.
Prayer.
Fasting.
Faith.
Confession.
Our lives are lived forward but understood looking backwards. Whether or not we understand, we are still called to be faithful. "Faith-full"
Don’t fall for the wrong assumption that “understanding” something will make it easier to do the right thing. It may have the opposite effect.
However, there are some questions we can ask to help contextualize our fear.
1.) When does the fear come?
-Example of Elijah
-Jesus in the wilderness
2.) What is the fear linked to?
Triggers
-Everyone is afraid of losing a job, getting sick, etc.
-You may not have a fear problem you may have a weeping wound.
-You may not have a fear problem you may have a Lordship problem. No one wants to struggle, but the struggle is part of life.
--The Lordship test: If your greatest fear comes upon you, could you bound before your Lord and say, “It is well with my soul?”
-You may not have a fear problem you may have a sin problem.
Hidden sin will destroy your confidence with God. Which will fill like vague but powerful fear?
1 John 3:21-22
3.) What are the Consequences?
-If your fear wins. If you freeze. If you quit. Who suffers? Primarily you? Or the people God has appointed you to love on His Behalf. If you are the only one at risk it probably isn’t oppression. The devil doesn’t think much of people who spend their time-fighting fear. Fear is right where hell wants us. However, if it is the mission, the calling, or the anointing that would be damaged. There is a better chance that you are dealing with spiritual resistance.
SCRIPTURES WORTH KNOWING
1. Isaiah 41:10
2.Psalm 56:3
3. Philippians 4:6-7
4. John 14:27
5. 2nd Timothy 1:7
6. 1st John 4:18
7. Psalm 94:19
8. Isaiah 43:1
9. Proverbs 12:25
10. Psalm 23:4
11. Joshua 1:9
12. Matthew 6:34
13. 1st Peter 5:6-7
14. Isaiah 35:4
15. Luke 12:22-26
16. Psalm 27:1
17.Psalm 55:22
18. Mark 6:50
19. Deuteronomy 31:6
20. Isaiah 41:13-14
21. Psalm 46:1
22. Psalm 118:6-7
23. Proverbs 29:25
24. Mark 4:39-40
25. Psalm 34:7
26. 1st Peter 3:14
27. Psalm 34:4
28. Deuteronomy 3:22
29. Revelation 1:17
30. Mark 5:36
31. Romans 8:38-39
32. Zephaniah 3:17
33. Psalm 91:1-16
