Overcoming the spirit of fear. All Christians can overcome the spirit of fear. There are Bible remedies to fear in the same verses that warn us about the spirit of fear. In fact, we are encouraged in the Bible to fear not 144 times. Most often this is because in the story someone is having an unexpected, powerful, divine encounter. Daniel had no fear of a room full of hungry lions, but when the angel Michael showed up he fell to his hands and knees, face down. “…Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel.” (Daniel 10:11-12)

Those who abhor God and persecute His church should certainly fear His wrath. But the Bible assures those in Christ to fear not His wrath,

1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

⁹ For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

Should Christians fear God?

No. However, it would seem those who love God are sometimes told to fear God. This is because of the limitations of translating the Greek text of the Bible to King James English. Would God tells us to not fear God when He shows up in person, but to fear Him when unseen? The correct translation is “to stand in awe of, be awed, reverence, honor, respect.”

We all need to be overcoming the spirit of fear

This is a spiritual force. The world, chock full of evil demonic forces, is constantly trying to give us a spirit of fear. They want to make us fear God, fear man, fear nature, fear demonic forces, sickness, and the list goes on. John sums it up well in verse 10:10.

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We can choose to use the Bible remedy to fear

The spirit of fear is the enemy, and regardless of what fear the enemy tries to use, the agenda is the same. There are Bible remedies to fear in the same verses that warn us about the spirit of fear.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

We see that there are two opposing forces in this as there are in any spiritual battle. Humans are born into what I call the enemy’s camp. We were in bondage to the spirit of fear due to Adam’s sinful nature we are born with. The very first thing that happened after the fall was to fear God, covering their nakedness and hiding. The other camp has the spirit of life in Christ Jesus.  In the enemy’s camp, we find bondage, sin, sickness, killing, stealing, destroying, and death. In Christ, we find adoption, righteousness, healing, redemption, giving, restoration, and life eternal. If you are in Christ, the spirit of fear no longer has any power over you. 

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The weapons God provides to overcome fear

Now let’s key in on the specific spiritual forces the Word of God provides.

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

Keep in mind what we saw earlier there are two camps represented. The enemy comes to infect us with the spirit of Fear. In the same verse, we are promised three antidotes. These are Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.

Power

Fear can also be translated as fearfulness or timidity and cowardice. Above all else, it intends to make us feel we are helpless and weak in the face of what we fear. The Spirit of Life in Christ provides Spiritual Power. The word here is dynamis, of God. We are not limited to our own power. It means force, especially, miraculous power, ability, might, strength, power, and resources arising from the spirit of God.    

Love

Right after power comes love. The reason may not be clear. The opposite of the force of fear is not faith. Faith is the exact opposite of unbelief, or being faithless. The opposite of spiritual fear is spiritual love. What does it say casts out fear?  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: (1 John 4:18)

Because their sin separated them from God, Adam and Eve had fear replace love. Now that we are in Christ the Agape Love of God is in us, we can choose to use the power of His love to overcome the power of fear. Just as in power, it is not our love, but His love in us, and for us, we can rely on.

A Sound Mind

Fear can make a person act in an irrational even insane manner. They can be dangerous to themselves and others. Most serious phobias are demonic. When intense, they make the person afraid to go out of their house or stop another compulsive behavior. You know it is spiritual when it includes bondage, depression, or torment.  To have a sound mind means to be sane, in your right mind, and disciplined. Because we are in Christ, we are to have the Mind of Christ.

Putting what we now know to practice

When we are born again, our spirit is born anew. We are new creatures; old things are passed away. We are righteous immediately, and completely. However, our soulish mind needs to be renewed to know what is ours in Christ. Our flesh is not reborn, it does what the old man always allowed it to do. We need to know and accept the power God made available through the new birth. Being born again is a good analogy. Now we are adopted by God and have an inheritance. But if all you think you inherited is forgiveness of sins, that is all of your inheritance you will be able to enjoy.

Let this message convey that you can overcome the spirit of fear. The way to do this is to believe the scripture. It says we have the power, love, and sound mind that overcomes fear. This is part of your salvation, so it comes the same way. You do not earn it, you receive it. Learn it, know it, and believe it. Declare this verse over your life often and force the spirit of fear to flee.

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

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash