Encouragement
“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)
There are different kinds of spirit. We can speak of a person’s spirit living on in his work after his death, by which we meant: his thoughts, feelings and will. A spirit can refer to any supernatural influence or being without a physical body. The spirit of something is the general atmosphere or feeling created by several people at once. For example, team spirit, spirit of the Olympic Games or the spirit of goodwill. If someone shows spirit, we say that he shows courage or liveliness, especially in difficult or challenging circumstances.
In times past, I have read 2 Timothy 1:7 and glanced over the words of Paul to Timothy without realizing that fear is an evil spirit as opposed to the Holy Spirit who fills us with power, love and a sound mind. The devil came but for to steal, kill and destroy. But, Jesus came that we might have abundant and eternal life.
When we give in to fear rather than resist the devil, all kinds of bad things will develop. Naturally, our body will manifest either a ‘fight or flight’ response. When a Christian chooses to be rattled by another person’s words or actions, he will unwittingly give access to the spirit of fear (of a loss of self-esteem or esteem amongst our peers) to influence him. Consequentially, the Christian may find himself fighting against the nasty-party with words or actions that are unbecoming of his high calling in Christ Jesus. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:32), the Master showed compassion and forgave the servant of his debt but that same servant refused to forgive one of his fellow servants of a debt. The Master called the unforgiving servant “wicked” or evil, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all his debts.
Sometimes, a Christian may look at his circumstances and feels that his situation is hopeless contrary to what the word of God says. It would seem that he has more faith in his circumstances than in God, who can help us circumvent our circumstances. The spirit of fear may then cause the Christian to become doubtful, anxious and depressed, unless he renews his mind with the word of God. The apostle Peter did walk on water initially when he obeyed the Lord’s call, but faltered when he allowed the waves to overwhelm his faith in the power and authority that is upon Jesus notwithstanding that he has seen Him spoke before to calm a raging storm.
Fear the Lord rather than our circumstances and/or evil and tremble at His word (show the highest regard or reverence for His word, His character), and He will be all for us. “Thus says the Lord: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,” says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word.” (Isaiah 66:1~2; NKJV) Jesus taught the fear of God. He said, “And do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28) “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:30~31)
The spirit of fear is of the devil and we ought not to be unaware of his schemings. Christians must be on their guard so as not to end up fighting against our fellow sojourners and pilgrims on this earth when the true enemy is the devil. Paul tells us pointedly in Ephesians 6:12(KKJV), “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Make no mistake, the devil will make use of us to fight against each other (e.g. Euodia and Syntyche in Philippians 4:2) or against God’s perfect will (e.g. Peter in Matthew 16:22~23).
We have to fight against the devil when he tries to get on our turf. However, we cannot fight in our carnal-man mode. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3~5, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
Rev. Kenneth E. Hagin wrote in his book, The Triumphant Church (page 22), “Believers must learn how to let the real man – the spirit man on the inside – dominate their soul and body. That will solve many problems as far as the devil is concerned. As believers let their recreated spirits dominate, they will learn how not to give the devil any access – spirit, soul, or body.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that when we are in Christ, we (our spirit – the man on the inside) is a New Creature; not our soul or body. As a new creation, we are in a position to receive the things of God as revealed by the Holy Spirit to our spirit man (1 Corinthians 2:14). James 1:21~22 urges us to practise the spiritual truths as contained in God’s word and as has been revealed to us. “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive the implanted word, which is able to save our souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Romans 12:2 instructs us not to be conformed to the things of this world, but to renew our mind (with the constant and consistent application of God’s word). Once our mind is submitted to God, our will and emotion will come into alignment with God’s good and acceptable and perfect will.
Besides taking care of our spirit and soul (mind, will and emotion), we need to take care of our body. Scripture instructs us to: (a) Present our body as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1); (b) Crucify or mortify the deeds of the body (Colossians 3:5); and (c) Keep our body under subjection to our spirit man (1 Corinthians 9:27).
When we fear the Lord (in our spirit, soul and body) rather than life’s circumstances and/or evil, it is truly the beginning of wisdom. For when we humble ourselves under His mighty hand, He will exalt us in due time, and we can resist the devil (1 Peter 5:9). Also, in James 4:7 (NKJV), “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The entrance of God’s word gives light and understanding. When we walk in the light of His love, for God is love, His perfect love will cast out all manner of fears (1 John 4:16~18) that is not of God, i.e., other than the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2).
Arise, O Christians, and let the light of Jesus shines in us.
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This is a very powerful article Michael, with much wisdom. If only we could always remember, (Eph. 6:12) that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against principalites and powers. Perhaps it would make everything so much better. Blessings, Sharon
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