Overcoming Fear is something that most of us have had to face at some point in our lives. Maybe we have even lived fearfully for so long that it has become part of our personalities and affected our health. Discover where Fear comes from, how to recognize it, and how to overcome it! (Be sure to download the FREE printable at the end of this article “Overcoming Fear.”)
What is Fear?
Have you ever considered where fearful thoughts or feelings come from? The Bible tells us that Fear is not just an emotion but a spirit. We cannot see it, but it is able to speak to our spirit and give us fearful thoughts and emotions. These thoughts are coming from an evil spirit, which did not come from God.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Perhaps we have never thought about fearful feelings or thoughts being from a spirit of Fear. But examining the source of our thoughts will help us take them captive and cast down those that do not align with the Word of God. This is necessary if we are trying to get free from a spirit of Fear or fearful thinking. If we know our thoughts are not coming from ourselves or God’s Kingdom, we can choose not to listen to them. When we know God’s Word, we can cast down wild imaginations and then lift up the truth of His Word instead.
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; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
How to Discern Fear
How can we know if our thoughts are from ourselves, God, or an evil spirit of Fear? The answer lies in knowing the Word of God. God’s Word is the only thing that can discern what are the thoughts and intents of our hearts. It can divide between our soul and spirit. It can help us to separate our thoughts from Fear’s. When we know the Word, which is filled with His thoughts, we can recognize fearful thoughts and stop agreeing with them.
¹²For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ¹³Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV
Knowing God’s Word helps us to have the mind of Christ, and we can more easily spot the thoughts and temptations that are opposed to His Word. As we become skilled in the Word of Righteousness, we become mature in the Lord and are trained in discerning good and evil. Knowing the Word is the best way to discern what kinds of thoughts we are having.
¹³For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. ¹⁴But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 4:13-14 KJV
Faith Over Fear
Sometimes we have agreed with a spirit of Fear for so long that its thoughts have become our own. We might have begun to think like a spirit of Fear. To replace fearful thinking patterns with God’s Word, not only do we read His Word, but we must believe it. God honors His Word when we believe it. We must mix the Word of God with our faith. Then the Holy Spirit can move and change us so that we no longer have a personality of fear.
Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. Matthew 9:29 KJV
Our minds must also be renewed and purged of the old beliefs that represent Fear. We have to become one with God in His nature so that His thoughts become our thoughts. When His ways become our ways, we are spiritually changed. To become one with the Word is to know what Jesus has said as revealed in Scriptures and believe it. This is how we break old habits and develop new ones—by renewing our minds with the truth of God’s Word.
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. Romans 12:2 KJV
Truth Conquers Lies
Not only can we renew our minds through His Word, we can also defeat the fearful thoughts by lifting up the Word of Truth instead. We can conquer Satan’s kingdom by quoting the Word to it as Jesus did. Every time the devil tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus quoted back the Scriptures to him.
³And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. ⁵Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, ⁶And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. ⁷Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. ⁸Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; ⁹And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. ¹⁰Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. ¹¹Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:3-11 KJV
When Fear tries to come, we can quote the Word to it. We can declare over our lives that we believe God’s Word and will no longer believe what Fear is saying to us. Every time we recognize Fear rising up, we can believe God’s Word and declare it instead. God’s Word is a weapon that defeats Fear.
Trusting God
Another key to overcoming Fear is that we must trust God. Fear tells us we cannot trust God. It says evil is more powerful than God. But He is trustworthy! In our battles against Fear, we must be willing to throw ourselves on the absolute care of God. We can trust Him whether we live or die or whether we win or lose.
Trusting Him does not mean He will immediately remove our problems. But when we believe God and trust Him, He will set things in motion to lead us out of captivity. We may continually choose to trust God rather than project fearful thoughts about what may happen in the future or what other people may do to us. We must let go of all Fear and replace it with trust in God.
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? Psalm 27:1 KJV
Repent and Be Free
If we have agreed with a spirit of Fear in our lives, we can repent for agreeing with it and tell it to go. We can repent for each way we have given into Fear, not trusted God, and not believed His Word.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 KJV
Then we can renew our minds with the Word of God to learn new ways of thinking that do not involve Fear. Fear does not need to control us any longer. It does not need to get in the way of us living our lives, hinder us in relationships, or affect our health. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. As we trust in His perfect love for us, fear will lose its hold upon us.
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 John 4:18 KJV
With God’s help, we can be successful in overcoming Fear in our lives!
Learn more about Overcoming Fear and more at the For My Life® Retreat.
If Fear seems to be a stronghold in your life, you may need the assistance of personal ministry and prayer. In the For My Life Retreat, we offer complete teaching on Fear followed by a time of deliverance ministry so that you can be free from the bondage to this evil spirit.
Fear is just one of over twenty teachings that we present in the For My Life Retreat. There are also eight other discernment teachings and other foundational and doctrinal teachings that will help you establish your faith, rebuild relationships, and restore your life to health, peace, and sanity in Jesus Christ.
The For My Life Retreat is a safe place to take time out for your life and allow God to minister to your heart. Will you join us for this week-long intensive healing retreat? We look forward to coming alongside you in your Overcomers’ Journey.
Blessings,
The Be in Health® Team
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