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Fear. Soul Ruler.


Our fears our minimal in comparison to our God ...... because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.     1 John 4:4 NIV

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love, and self-control. 2 Tim 1:7

Fear Involves Torment

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. {1Jo 4:18 NKJV}

Torment is defined as extreme pain and anguish either of the body or mind it is the utmost degree of misery.  Fear makes us miserable because it is a controller.  Fear can immobilize us from many things, even simple things like making decisions, going to the grocery store, driving, eating and the list goes on.  If you can imagine it you can fear it.  There are phobias and fears of every sort and there are psychological diagnoses of these fears as well.

Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless or embarrassed. You fear an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line, or being in a crowd.  The anxiety is caused by fear that there's no easy way to escape or get help if the anxiety intensifies.

This word is combined of a Greek word agora, which means marketplace and phobia which is defined as an extreme or irrational fear or aversion to something.  Together these two words basically mean a person is afraid to leave their place of safety and go out in public.  The interesting thing is that the marketplace was a place where everyone had to go to do their chores, shopping, trading, selling, and even worship at the temple.  If one had agoraphobia they would be unable to live life abundantly because they would not be able to go to temple and worship nor could they socialize in the marketplaces.

Fear Is a Thief

Fear is an object of torture that Satan uses to keep us held hostage so that we will not become productive citizens for the kingdom of God.  Fear can enter our lives for many reasons, including through our bloodline.  A person who becomes severely bound to fear will slowly become crippled spiritually if they do not get help.  People try to control fear because they do not understand that fear is a soul ruler and is controlling them. When we allow fear to be the ruler over our soul instead of allowing the peace of God to be sovereign we allow ourselves to be robbed of the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is not because fear is more powerful than God but because we choose to believe that fear is more powerful than God and as a man thinks in his heart so he is.  Fear can have a louder voice at times than Holy Spirit because we allow it to distract us.  Fear can be subtle and it can be loud, it can come in with a loud noise and rattle our bones or it can sneak in unnoticed and take over our thoughts.

Jesus was right in front of Peter when he got out of the boat and began walking on water, Jesus was right there in the flesh to cheer him on but Peter got distracted by his circumstances and even though it was a glorious circumstance, Peter still began to sink.  Fear draws us into the depths of the sea in an attempt to drown out our faith.  God said His perfect love cast out all fear, yet instead of embracing His perfect love in our fearful circumstances we allow fear to rule our souls!

Love and Peace are Rulers

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. {Col 3:14-15 NKJV}

The word rule here means to arbitrate or govern your hearts.  We are to let peace be the deciding ruler over all our circumstances along with being clothed in love.  These are our weapons against fear.  Sometimes fear is necessary to keep us from harm but when it becomes our compass and ruler it has now become our master! 

14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. ... 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? {Rom 6:14, 16 NKJV}

Fear is the opposite of faith and we are told that without faith it is impossible to please God.  If we love God we want to please Him but fear does the opposite because it causes us to sin by leading us to disobedience towards God.  Faith is a task master, it is a spirit that irrationally drives a necessary emotion.  Fear can be useful in warning of us impending danger, Holy Spirit can use a “fear sensation” to help us recognize danger, however, fear that controls us is not from God. 

Peace, the Weapon to Conquer Fear

Most of us would not associate peace with a weapon but according to Philippians 4:7 there is a peace that is the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. This peace will hem us in, it will protect us if we would use it.  Our weapons of warfare are not carnal but are mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (2 Cor 10:4). We are to turn away from evil, do good, seek peace and pursue it, 1 Peter 3:11.  However, fear pursues us and often causes us to become a victim, whereby it holds us hostage to our “what if” thoughts and causes us to be consumed with terror.  Fear is a mighty weapon of the enemy of our souls but it doesn’t have to have victory over us. 

Meditate on God’s promises, pray in the Spirit, pursue peace by faith and believe peace is God’s to give and He does so freely.

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. {Psa 4:8 NKJV}

In spite of the warfare around you or your circumstances you can lay down in peace.  God makes us to dwell in safety.  Even when are surrounding circumstances show us something very different then safety, we can dwell in peace in our spirits and our souls when we embrace His perfect peace.  Agree with the Psalmist, meditate on the Kings promises.

Peace, Without Spot and Blameless

We are to be found by God in peace, without spot and blameless.  I had never noticed this verse before, I always knew the part about “without spot and blameless” but until I wrote this I had not noticed the peace.

Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; {2Pe 3:14 NKJV}

Peace will keep us from being led away with the error of the wicked.  When we are at one with Jesus, abiding in Him, we will be found by God in peace.  May the Lord of Peace, Comfort and Joy abide in all your circumstances.


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