HAVING THE SPIRIT OF FEAR: "WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?!"

2 Timothy 1:7; “For GOD has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind.”

YAHWEH’s power can cast out the spirit of fear.

1. He protects those that are in Him and those that desire His protection:

• 2 Thessalonians 3:3; “But the LORD is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

1. This same power leads and guides us to not tempt YAHWEH with our desires, but rather to avoid things that bring fear into us: 1 Thessalonians 5:22; “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”

The Holy Spirit gives us power over fear when we put our trust in YAHWEH.

1. This trust is based on the idea that He is in control, therefore, we do not have to fear:

• Psalms 27:1; “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

YAHWEH’s love casts out fear!

1. Because of His love for us, we know that He will protect us from the enemy!

• 1 John 4:18; “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

1. People that struggle to be loved in the natural will usually struggle to understand YAHWEH’s love and base it on superfluity and not agape, unconditional love:

• 1 John 4:8; “He that loveth not knoweth not GOD; for GOD is love.”

Believing that we received material things because of love hinders us and causes us to overload ourselves and this births fear.

1. True agape love casts out fear because love is not based on material gain:

• 1 Corinthians 13:7; “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

When a person is afraid, they are chemically imbalanced and cannot think soundly.

1. This is why people make erratic decisions when they are gripped by fear:

• 2 Corinthians 10:5; “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

The spirit of fear is psychological and spiritual. It can make you picture things a certain way based on sheer feeling and not realistic perception.

1. This is how the devil thrives in fearfulness! Romans 12:2; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD.”

YAHWEH’s Spirit comes to calm us and easily entreats us to teach us how to operate in His ways in spite of how we feel.

1. Fear is the opposite of faith, so when you have the spirit of fear, you lack faith:

• Proverbs 29:25; “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

1. Coveting births fear and fear causes torment: 1 John 4:18; “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

1. When people are not content with their life or the things they have, they will be tormented in their own minds by imagining having more: Romans 1:21; “Because that, when they knew GOD, they glorified him not as GOD, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Most relationships are wrecked because of discontentment since blame is usually placed on parents, spouses, children, etc.

1. Coveting causes us to hate others because of our own lack: Proverbs 27:4; “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”

When our conversation is with covetousness, then we are talking to others about what we are going to have or achieve.

1. Covetousness sets a mark that pressures us and creates fear about reaching it:

• Proverbs 26:21; “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

Being content is not just a mindset but it is a “conversation.”

1. This means that it has to be what we speak and feel. Speaking contentment brings contentment! Proverbs 18:21; “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

The Word says to be content with the things you have, knowing that YAHWEH will never leave or forsake you.

1. When we covet, we become fearful that YAHWEH has forsaken us when we lack:

• Philippians 4:11; “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

1. Man cannot harm us when we are content. It’s only through our coveting that we give that power to others: 1 Timothy 6:10; “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

1. When we are content, we can boldly say the Lord is in control of our lives and this takes away fear! Ps. 23:1; “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

However, when we covet and always want more or what others have, we give the power of our lives over to the enemy.

1. He then controls us by fear of failure and not getting what we want: Acts 8:23; “For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”

We have all heard the term “It’s all in your head.”

1. But the only way anything can matter is if your mind says it does: James 1:8; “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

As earthly beings, we have a mind and heart.

1. They work together to cause us to feel and experience things: Philippians 4:7; “And the peace of GOD, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

1. The things we struggled with, things we may have done wrong, and the things we are ashamed of being brought up in our minds by the enemy to make us feel unworthy of YAHWEH’s power: Romans 3:25; “Whom GOD hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of GOD.”

1. The devil knows that YAHWEH’s power is the only way to defeat the spirit of fear, so he tries to take it away by making us feel we do not deserve it or cannot access YAHWEH’s power: Hebrews 4:16; “Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

These are evil imaginations planted in our minds by the enemy to promote fear and doubt in us.

1. The devil always fights on the battlefield of the mind: Ephesians 6:12; “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

When fear enters us, it enters our minds first.

1. Then it begins to work its way into our past to make us experience previous fears:

• 1 John 4:18; “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

1. Our mind must be transformed by YAHWEH and not conditioned by the world; but when we have a worldly or societal-based mindset, fear can attack us and defeat us:

• Romans 12:2; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD.”

When we think about our past, our errors and failures, and focus on our own mistakes, we fear we are not worthy of YAHWEH’s mercy.

1. We forget He is all-powerful, all-loving, and the greatest protector of all times!

• Philippians 4:8; “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

YAHWEH is not carrying our past around, the devil does that. The enemy wants to cloud your mind with failures so that you will label yourself.

1. But YAHWEH knew your failures, errors, and mistakes before He ever called on you!

• Jeremiah 1:5; “Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

The devil is a deceiver. But because he isn’t a physical being in our realm he has to work through people. And most of the time, the person he chooses to use is YOU!

The devil wants to set up camp in your mind. Every failure, every sin, every bad thing that you have ever done is in a file in your mind that the devil has access to. This is why sin cannot dwell in your life because it gives the devil access to these files and he will use them to make you feel unworthy of YAHWEH’s grace and mercy. This is deception at its finest.

YAHWEH is all-knowing. He is Alpha and Omega, meaning He had to know your faults and where you would struggle BEFORE He chose you. When He chose you to be a leader of your home, a teacher of your children, and a servant of Yeshua, He knew how bad you were and He knew all the errors you would make, even after you chose Him. We are not talking about a human mind; we are talking about the Mind of YAHWEH.

How Yeshua’s death was powerful enough to cover any sin that is confessed and repented of, yet still, the devil seeks to come and make you imagine that because you failed, you are a failure. Because you lied, you are a liar. Because you sinned, you are a sinner. Because you quit, you are a quitter. Because you got weak, you are a weakling. But YAHWEH has the last say. You will be who YAHWEH said you would be. And He did not just declare it, but He promised to be there to make sure you achieve it!

1. YAHWEH always finishes what He starts, and none of us are powerful enough to mess it up! Psalms 103:8-14; “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always hide: neither will he keep his anger forever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”

YAHWEH has not given us tormenting fears that come to hinder us.

1. These fears are a spirit and not from Him: 2 Timothy 1:7; “For GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

1. But having a healthy Fear of YAHWEH and displeasing Him is the beginning of wisdom according to the Bible: Proverbs 1:7; “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

1. You can always tell when a person does not fear YAHWEH because they will turn away from His truth for their own passions: James 4:1; “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

1. It’s so important to fear YAHWEH to the extent of agreeing with His plan for you, but we make things hard on ourselves when we fashion our lives selfishly:

• Proverbs 13:15; “Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard.”

After going our own way, it’s impossible to turn around without humility and sorrow.

1. So many people lie against the truth to save face: James 3:14; “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

1. In order to feel better about their present state, they must fight against the truth to conceal their bad choices: Philippians 3:18-19; “For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose GOD is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.”

1. Those that fear YAHWEH can always humble themselves before Him and correct their wrongs with fear and trembling: Philippians 2:12; “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

1. Pride is the opposite of godly fear and it keeps you fighting for the wrong way, even after that way has failed you and your loved ones: 2 Timothy 3:8; “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.”

Usually, when people attack the truth, their own lives testify to how true the truth is!

1. They attack what they long for because what they have supports the very argument they oppose: Proverbs 15:12; “A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise.”

Fearing YAHWEH is the beginning of wisdom because it’s the starting point for making wise choices. Fearing GOD enough to say, “I was wrong” and allowing Him to correct our issues is just smart. How else will a person correct things unless YAHWEH first shows them where they were wrong?

The Bible said in the last days, people would not be able to endure sound doctrine. This is because their level of pride will not allow them to admit that they made bad choices. So, to save face, they lie against the truth, attack YAHWEH’s truth preachers, fall out with their own family, and maliciously attack those that are trying to do what is right. These things cannot be named among true believers. We must fear YAHWEH enough to allow His correction, but this correction never ends!

We must endure His sound doctrine and repent of our sins constantly because we fear Him, but when we refuse His correction and harbor hatred for those that corrected us, we are not fighting against man or what was done to us.

1. But we are fighting against YAHWEH and lack fear of Him! Proverbs 9:8-18; “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, to call passengers who go right on their ways: Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.”

I WOULD RATHER BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN YESHUA...THEN COMFORTABLE WITH SATAN!!

"IF YOU'RE NOT WINNING SOULS FOR YESHUA…YOU DON'T WORK FOR YAHWEH...YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED!!”