A Spirit of Fear

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

Fear!  It sucks the life out of the soul!  And when fear shapes our lives, safety becomes our god.  We worship the risk-free life!

The fear-filled cannot love deeply.  Love is just too risky.  No wonder Jesus wages such a war against fear.

Don’t be afraid.  Take courage.

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.

Don’t let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, and trust also in me.

Jesus steps into the storm and asks, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”

Fear may fill the world, but it doesn’t have to fill your heart!  Hysteria is not from God.  And Jesus doesn’t want you to live there!  The promise of Christ is ... God has not given you a spirit of fear!

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Fear Leads to Sin There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.    ~  1 John 4:18 Fear, when it is mismanaged, leads to sin.  And sin leads to hiding.  And since we’ve all sinned, we all hide—in 80-hour workweeks, temper tantrums, and religious busyness.  We avoid contact with God! We’re convinced God must hate our evil tendencies.  We despise our lustful thoughts, harsh judgments, and selfish deeds.  If our sin nauseates us, how much more must it revolt a holy God? So we draw a practical conclusion:  God is ticked off at us!  Sin has left us lost and confused.  Yes, we have disappointed God.  But no, God has not abandoned us! Jesus loves us too much to leave us in doubt about His grace.  God keeps no list of our wrongs.  His love casts out fear because He casts out our sin! Live forgiven!   ****