Freedom From Fear

A Frightening Mission

Growing up on 16 acres created lots of opportunities, one of them was building forts. In ground, tree, sod, snow, whatever…we did it. They often required tools, which I did not have. So, I had to use Dad’s. And I also tended to live them at the site…the fort site. It was when Dad got home and needed the tool that was the problem.

It produced enduring Dad’s frustration but more importantly, it meant that I had to retrieve the tool IN THE DARK! THE WALK…THE DARKNESS…THE POSSIBILITIES…THE TURN…AND THE MAD DASH! Safely home at last!

Understanding Fear

The most frequent command of God in Scripture is not to be more loving or to live a life of character and integrity (as important as those things are). Actually, the command that’s found more often than any other is “fear not”. It’s found 366 times in the Bible! This is because God knows that worry is a major way that the enemy tries to put us in bondage and rob us of our future. But God wants to set us free from anxiety and fear.

I wrote a training class for veterans about fear. If I told a veteran that God wants us to be free from fear they would question it. Fear is an ever-present reality in combat. Fear heightens our senses and insures our survival. There were times that I was afraid in combat. Incoming rounds scare me – and they should. We should be afraid of walking across I-45 in rush hour but often we have a fear that is unhealthy and robs us from our freedom.

The Hebrew reader easily understood that fear can be good or bad because there were several words in Hebrew that translate to fear:

yirʾâ

n. fem. fear, terror. Refers to the emotion or feeling or state of being afraid, terrified, or in awe.[1] (usually positive)

Exodus 20:20 NIV

Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

môrāʾ

n. masc. fear, terror, reverence. Refers to the state of being in dread, afraid, terrified, or in awe and reverence of God.[2] (general fear or even proper reverence)

Genesis 9:2 NIV

The fear and dread of you will fall on all the beasts of the earth, and on all the birds in the sky, on every creature that moves along the ground, and on all the fish in the sea; they are given into your hands.

ḥātat

vb. to be terrified, dismayed, shattered. Refers to destructive action, either literal destruction or the psychological destruction associated with dismay or terror.[3] (Bad)

ie. Israelites were terrified by Goliath

pāḥad

vb. to fear, dread, be in terror. Describes the experience of terror, likely with connotations of physical quaking in fear.[4]

1 Samuel 11:7 NIV

He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.

(and 4 more Hebrew words)

So, before we make a blanket statement about fear, we need to acknowledge that fear that recognizes the sovereignty of God is beneficial.

The fear of God can refer either to the awe, reverence, and respect that is the proper deferential attitude toward the divine, or the physical dread and terror evoked by the divine presence or by the experience of divine wrath.[5]

Unfortunately, the truth about having a healthy fear of God is being eroded.

On the other hand, fear that includes anxiety, dread, and loss of courage in our lives is unhealthy…and that is the type of fear we need to be free from.

Exposing Unhealthy Fear

Psalm 23 NIV

A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23 has always been a message of comfort, especially in difficult times. Verse 3 proclaims no fear of evil because God is our comforter. The simple truth is unhealthy fear is bad because we are not recognizing our great help – God!

Unhealthy Fear is Not from God

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Fear Comes from the Enemy to Keep You from Your Destiny.

Fear often manifests in extreme timidity, reluctance to enter into new experiences, and nervousness. Dr. Gary Royer suggests that people with excessive fear may have experienced trauma, embarrassment, or abuse. Some Christian leaders suggest that the spirit be cast out but the problem is not a demonic spirit in the person but a human spirit that is fearful and may be tormented by the demonic.[6]

2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

One reason why fear is so powerful in our lives is that it attacks the things we care about the most (relationships, finances, career).[7]

In 2006 I went in for a routine security clearance review and polygraph. I had just returned from Iraq 2 years prior. I was pastoring and commanding a unit in San Antonio. In the polygraph I ran into a problem. They felt that I was being evasive on issues regarding the security of classified. (Don’t worry, I had not stockpiled classified in my mansion or secured it in my garage.) I’ll not get into the details (I finally did pass the polygraph) but in the middle of the chaos they told me they intended to open an Article 32 case. This would have ended my military career and who knew what implications it would have on my ministry. My relationships, finances, and career were in jeopardy.

Fear is powerful and debilitating. Over and over again I would recite 2 Tim 1:7.

Defeating Unhealthy Fear

We have many spiritual weapons and one that should not be overlooked is the Word of God. Let’s turn to a powerful way to handle the spirit of fear in the Word of God.

There were several times during the life of King David that he faced situations that would create tremendous fear and anxiety. One of these occurred later in David’s life and it included David’s own son, Absalom. Absalom challenged the throne of his father. Absalom’s strategy included a stealthy campaign to undermine David’s rule. He set himself up as judge in Jerusalem, settled disputes, and gave out promises of what he would do if he were king. After four years of this, he asked to go to Hebron, where he had secretly arranged to have himself proclaimed king.

The conspiracy strengthened, and the number of Absalom’s followers grew. David began to fear for his own life. So, David gathered his servants and fled Jerusalem. However, David left behind some of his concubines and a few informers as well, including Zadok and Abiathar the priests and his advisor Hushai.

Upon entering Jerusalem as king, Absalom sought to solidify his position, first by taking over David’s house and sleeping with his concubines (considered an unforgiveable act). Then he laid plans to immediately pursue and attack David’s forces, but the idea was abandoned owing to the advice of Hushai. This delay allowed David to muster what troops he had at Mahanaim and mount a counterattack to retake the kingdom.

David did not take part in the counterattack himself, having been persuaded by his generals to remain behind. He did give explicit instructions to the generals to “deal gently” with Absalom, despite his treason. The Bible makes the point that all the troops heard David’s orders concerning Absalom; however, the orders were disobeyed. As Absalom was riding under some trees, his long hair became entangled in the branches, and he was unhorsed. Joab found Absalom suspended in mid-air and killed him there. Thus, the rebellion was quelled, and David returned to Jerusalem as king.

4 Ways to Disarm Fear

In Psalm 27, the psalmist teaches us what to when life dishes out more than we can take. In this Psalm we can learn 4 powerful ways to handle situations where fear and anxiety are present:

Psalm 27 NIV

Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

1. Arm Yourself with the Right Mindset

2. Speak God’s Truth

3. Hear what God is Telling You

4. Encourage Yourself

#1 - Arm Yourself with the Right Mindset

Psalm 27:1 NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

1. Light. He illuminates through His Word and Spirit the darkness within you and within your circumstances.

2. Salvation. He not only turns on the light, but He gets you out of captivity.

3. Stronghold. In Him you gain the position of height, advantage, defensibility, perspective, and security against all your foes.

Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.[8]

Proverbs tells us that as a person thinks in his heart, so is he. I would add, “What a person thinks about God will determine what he does about his problem.”

We cry out, “What am I going to do?” Instead of “What is God able to do?” David’s first thought was about God and his need of him! “

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

#2 - Speak God’s Truth

Psalm 27 continues to the next major truth, “Speak God’s Truth”.

Psalm 27:4–5 NIV

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

Why then, is it so difficult to say that the psalmist said, “My heart shall not fear”? It is because what God had done for him previously had taught him a great lesson. In his problems he had one desire, “that I will dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…”

Problems drive some of us away from God. We blame him for them and wonder how he could allow them to happen to us if he loves us. We can thank Him for life’s problems if they have led us to think more about Him and if our meditation about Him has brought about the desire to be with Him!

#3 - Hear What God Is Telling You

Psalm 27:8 NIV

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Now we are ready to hear what the Lord said to the psalmist when problems led him to cry out to God. There is one statement God always makes when we come to Him with our problems. He doesn’t always give us a solution immediately, nor does he check us out to see if we have enough faith. Usually we are so battered and buffeted by the problems that there is little to offer him except our need. His admonition is, “Seek my face” (verse 8). Do you remember these famous words spoken by God?

“Leave…” – Abraham

“Turn…” – Moses

“Make …” – widow and son from Elijah

“Follow…” – disciples

“Go …” – disciples

The psalmist responded in a way that exemplifies the one thing we can do to find help in our time of need. “…My heart said to you, Your face, Lord, I will seek.” The Lord promised Moses, “…my presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Ex. 33:14). Then Moses said to the Lord what we all want to say about facing our problems alone. “If your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”

There is no better advice than “seek my face.” The more you seek his face, the more you can face your problems! “Seek my face” and the response of our eager hearts will be, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” He says, “Beloved do not panic in your problems. We will confront them together. I will give you exactly what you need.” Suddenly, a mysterious capacity grows within us. We have faith to endure.

#4 - Encourage Yourself!

Psalm 27:13–14 NIV

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Now that’s the outward expression in words of the gift of faith. Problems have shrunk to size. They no longer possess us but we have the ability to possess them.

Be Fearless!

In 1947 W.H. Auden wrote the long poem, The Age of Anxiety. The past 75 years have not reduced our anxiety levels. People in all walks of life and of all ages struggle with anxiety for several reasons: threats, conflicts, past failures, unmet needs…

According to a report published in April 2020, the number of prescriptions filled for anti-anxiety medications spiked more than 34 percent in just one month early that year.[2]”[9]

We all know what happened in 2020. Fear and anxiety are still at an epidemic level.

But…we have can have power, strength, and peace through faith in God. We should be different. We have good reason to be. It is true that God created us to live in Freedom. Let’s do it and let our lives demonstrate God’s love and power.

[1]Miles Custis, “Fear,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). [2]Miles Custis, “Fear,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). [3]Miles Custis, “Fear,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). [4]Miles Custis, “Fear,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). [5]Miles Custis, “Fear,” ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Theological Wordbook, Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014). [6] Royer, Gary Dr. “Out of Darkness Into His Wonderful Light”. Amazon.com. 2020. [7] “Freedom”. Christ Fellowship. [8] Faith does not preclude trials. Ministry127. (n.d.). Retrieved September 21, 2021, from https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/faith-does-not-preclude-trials. [9] Excerpt From “Your Brain Is Always Listening” Daniel G. Amen, M.D.