Overcoming the Bondage of Fear

Romans 8:14–15 NKJV

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Hebrews 2:14–15 NKJV

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

The Epidemic of Fear

We are facing a dangerous viral epidemic. The threat is real and sometimes deadly.

We are facing an even more dangerous epidemic, an epidemic of fear.

Luke 21:26 NKJV

men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

This epidemic of fear is dividing friends, co-workers, Christians, and family members against one another and weakening our love and sense of good will. Currently we are dividing over things such as:

To wear a mask or not wear a mask?

To vaccinate or not vaccinate?

To social distance or not social distance?

To continue social interaction or quarantine?

Do we have all the facts?

Who controls the information?

Why do experts disagree?

Are there better options

Uncertainty feeds into our fears.

The Reality of Fear

Fear is real. Fear is common to all. Everyone experiences fear at some level. Even small children experience fear.

Fear entered the human experience at Adam’s fall in the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 3:10 NKJV

So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Fear is more than a state of mind. It is a spirit.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The ultimate fear is the fear of death.

Healthy Fear vs. Unhealthy Fear

Healthy Fear

Healthy fear reminds us of our weakness, our vulnerability, and our mortality.

Healthy fear reminds us of what is most important in life.

Healthy fear accepts legitimate risks as a part of normal life.

Healthy fear seeks to minimize risks but not eliminate them.

Unhealthy Fear

Unhealthy fear is obsessive.

Unhealthy fear is obsessed with eliminating all risks.

Unhealthy fear is obsessed with worry.

Worry is constant meditation on negative imaginations.

Worry has been described as thoughts orbiting around a core of fear.

Unhealthy fear is obsessed with self-preservation and preserving what we love.

Unhealthy fear enslaves our thoughts and emotions.

Unhealthy fear robs us of courage to face challenges with God’s help.

Unhealthy fear hinders us from fulfilling the Great Commission.

Overcoming the Bondage of Fear

Come to terms with your mortality and the mortality of others.

Humanity is 100% mortal. (Hebrews 9:27)

How many of us will die? How many of those we love will die?

We have no control over when, where, or how we or those we love will die.

We will be on this earth until our work for the Lord is complete. We are in His hands.

Psalm 31:14–15 NKJV

But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.

John 8:20 NKJV

These words Jesus spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one laid hands on Him, for His hour had not yet come.

Questions:

Will we cower in fear or live courageously for the glory of God?

Will we seek to save our life or lose it for His sake and the gospel’s sake?

Get right with God

Luke 13:1–5 NKJV

There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Are you ready for that appointed day?

Reckon yourself already dead with Christ

Romans 6:6–9 NKJV

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him.

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

It is impossible to kill a dead man! We live by faith in the Son of God.

Embrace Christ’s victory over Hades and Death.

Revelation 1:18 NKJV

I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

1 Corinthians 15:54–58 NKJV

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Put your trust in the LORD

Jeremiah 17:5–8 NKJV

Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the Lord. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit.

2 Chronicles 16:12 NKJV

And in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa became diseased in his feet, and his malady was severe; yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians.

We must put our trust in the LORD regarding the problems we face.

We must trust in God’s perspective, providence, purpose, and preservation.

Ask God for His wisdom

James 1:5–8 NKJV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Cast out any remnant of fear with love

1 John 4:18 NKJV

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.

We are not to accuse or judge one another in matters of personal convictions and liberties. We are to love God first and to love others second. God will take care of us.

Abound in the work of the LORD

Don’t forget that God has a purpose for your life. Remain committed to doing what He has called you to do.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Response to the Word

Recognize the source of fear.

Refuse to allow fear to keep you in bondage.

Rest in God’s love, providence, purpose, and preservation.

Rely on God’s promises and provision when trials come.

Request God’s wisdom for each situation.

Respond in love toward others with whom you disagree.

Remember that victory over Death is already secured in Christ Jesus.