Sermon Central
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The Spirit Called Fear Series
Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Oct 22, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: We're told not to fear. But, we all have some fears to wrestle with. Hence, we must reject the spirit of fear and take up the spirit that confronts to conquer this spirit.
THE SPIRIT CALLED FEAR
2 Timothy 1:7. (NKJV)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind."
"10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
11 “Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced;
They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.
12 You shall seek them and not find them— Those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing.
13 For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you."
"15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
The prophet Elisha and his servant are in the town of Dothan. They've spent the night in this town. When morning came, Elisha's servant wakes up and looks out over the city walls. He is shocked when he sees that during the night, the Syrian army had surrounded Dothan and were demanding that Elisha be handed over to them.
Naturally the servant of Elisha was overwhelmed with fear because all he could see was the visible enemy army surrounding the city. But, what he could not see was the invisible army of God's angels that had gathered to protect God's people. It was at this point Elisha prayed to God to open his servant's eyes and let him see what his human eyes couldn't see. Immediately, he could see the mountains roundabout them were full of horses and chariots of fire. Elijah was under God's protective custody. No wonder the Scriptures says in Psalm 34:7, "The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear HIM."
Just like Elisha's servant, you and I may not physically see an army of angels surrounding us in our daily struggles, but we can rest on the comforting promises in God's Word, that we're under His constant protection. We have nothing to be afraid of. We're not alone, God's with us.
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."
'The valley of the shadow of death' describes a place of gloom, depression, danger and affliction. It is a dark place to be. The valley of the shadow of death is talking about the darkest nights of trials and troubles. It is a place of confusion. King David is going through bad time here but his faith in God is unshaken. Even in the most dire situations he will not be afraid because God is with him.
You may be walking in your own valley of the shadow of death right now––perhaps a doctor gave you a bad report? Maybe your spouse has left you? Perhaps you lost your job, a business failure, disappointments in ministry, or your children are causing you pains.
Beloved, no matter what you are going through today, you are not alone! God is with you, and His presence gives strength and hope. Don't be afraid! He's working out your testimonies. This season shall pass! The rain of affliction will stop, and the sun of your glory will shine again.
I pray for everyone, reading this and already in the pit of depression, for everyone who is walking in the valley of the shadow of death, for everyone with a depressing medical report, for everyone who is lonely and hopeless, let the Holy Spirit of God, strengthens and comforts you now, in the name of Jesus! I prophesy, you will not die in this valley of death!
It's time to come out of the pit of depression! It is time to walk out of the valley of the shadow of death! God has a new beginning for you. It is not yet over!
INTRODUCTION:
The dictionary defines fear as "a distressing emotion aroused by an impending pain, danger, evil, etc. or by the illusion of such."
Fear exists in two forms; the fear of the Lord (which is to reverence God) and the spirit of fear.
