Sometimes we don’t recognize the spirit of fear is what we are dealing with when we react to circumstances that challenge us. In Mark 4:36-41 shown below, the disciples were overcome by the spirit of fear.
“And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” – Mark 4:36-41
In the passage above, we see that in the midst of a turbulent sea, water cascading into the boat, violent winds and rain, they are terrified.
Remarkably, Jesus was enjoying “sweet sleep”.
“Are you not concerned that we perish” they asked.
Jesus’ response? He rebuked the wind and the sea by saying “Peace be still”. The Bible records that when he did this, there was a great calm.
How Jesus dealt with the spirit of fear
Jesus is asking us the same question of us.
“Why are you so fearful? Why do you have so little faith?”
The disciples were more fearful after Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea. Scripture states that the disciples “feared exceedingly”, awed by the fact that the wind and the sea obeyed Jesus. They asked among themselves, “What manner of man is this?”
If you Google the word “Fear”, you will find synonyms such as dread, concern, anxiety and even headache.
But understand that fear is a spirit. It is accompanied by the spirit of torment.
Dealing with the spirit of fear
II Timothy 1:7 asserts:
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and a sound mind.
When your mind is sound, fear cannot affect you. When your mind is focused on the right things as seen in Philippians 4:6-9, the devil cannot get a foothold in your head or heart.
In Psalm 91:5, the Bible says
“You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at noonday”.
We have God’s assurance of security, safety and refuge in the midst of danger and peril.
Remember that in the midst of the storm, Jesus slept peacefully in the boat. His sleep was “sweet”. Proverbs 19:23 states
The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (NIV)
“Sweet sleep” is our portion. A “blessed life” is our portion.
How to overcome the spirit of fear
Your obligation is this: Have faith. Resist fear. Remind yourself that you are created in the image of God. Declare that fear is not in the nature of God and therefore whatsoever is not of God has no right your my life.
Understand fully that as believers, it is our duty not to be afraid of the circumstances that confront us.
To overcome the spirit of fear:
- You need the assistance of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27, Psalm 27:1)
- Love God more (James 4: 8, Hebrews 11:6)
- Connect to the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21, John 12:36)
- Live a just life (Proverbs 4:18-19)
- Learn the secret of dying to self daily (1 Corinthians 15:31)
- Cultivate the Spirit of Boldness (Ephesians 6:19, Proverbs 28:1)
- Fear God and reverence him (Jeremiah 5:22, Psalm 34:9)
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