If you struggle with fear, anxiety, panic, depression or discouragement, I have a word for you from 1 John 4: 10-18. I preached on this last night to 7,000 college students and I pray this is a blessing to your soul today.
*Fear is not a tennant you tolerate. It is an enemy you expel. We lose against fear when we cease to fight it.*
When fear of rejection, the unknown, the past, or the future cripples you and takes you hostage, treat it like a war, a battle, a fight, and do some things Biblically to break the stranglehold that has rendered you helpless.
1. Don't Stop Moving - If you stand still in your fear, you are a wide open target. Move forward in the love of God. Take evasive measures. "If you find yourself going through hell, by all means, keep going." Winston Churchill - don't pitch a tent in your hell of fear. Move through it by God's grace.
2. Predict Your Enemies Movement - Treat fear like an enemy that needs to be faught and defeated, and pre-empt his game plan. 2 Corinthians 2:9-11 says we should not be ignorant or unaware of Satan's schemes. We know Satan is a liar and a killer, so don't be caught off guard when fear and panic overwhelm you. Be resting in God's love when the attack arrives.
3. Eat The Right Stuff - Verses 15-16 tell us that we are made complete when we rely on God's love. This is an action, a verb, something we actively do. Just like a runner, weight lifter, or Olympic athlete, we must fill ourselves with the substances that provide us health and energy. When it comes to being crippled by fear, we must rely on God's love for us as the source of our significance and value. If we swallow the junk of our culture, we will be weak and sick and spiritually unable to withstand the onslaught of depression and panic. Our defense is God's love in Christ.
4. Trust Your Teacher - Verses 13-14 remind us that we have the Holy Spirit in us...our guide and teacher and helper. Our weakness should drive us to Him for strength, wisdom, comfort, and refuge. He reveals the love of God to us. Walk in the freedom of knowing that your teacher, The Spirit of the living God, has got your back.
This passage tells us that perfect love "drives out fear." This language is aggressive and violent. To drive something out means getting serious enough to take drastic measures. Jesus "drove out" demons. Jesus "drove out" the money changers in the temple. And now, His perfect, unconditional love "drives out" our fears if we walk and remain in that love. May God liberate you today in His perfect love from the fears that attempt to tie you down. Don't tolerate fear. Fight it.
Comments
September 8 2010
Samuel Johnson
Thank you for allowing God to use you in a mighty way. I have conquered fear and nothing can stop me. I feel confident about my future because I know that God has made me strong and I know God is with me no matter where I am heading. By the way, I’m the one who wrote you that letter.
September 9 2010
Marcy Russo
I just want to say, as a parent of a LU freshman, Thank you! My daughter has soaked in every word and has proclaimed on her facebook that she “can’t wait to hear Clayton King tonight!” She has told us as well as specifically her younger 16 yr old sister, to listen to your messages. She says that you rank right up there with John Bevere, and that although she has been dead tired with no free time this week, she can’t not go to hear you. It was her priority. She was especially elated that you showed up to her dorm meeting the other night for q and a. I’m praying for you and your family. God bless you for the work you are doing for His Kingdom!
September 10 2010
Darrell
Great thoughts on fear. I wrote an article not long ago, making the connecting between the fear that we have a mistrust of God. I have been in several circumstances in my life where fear could have overtaken me, but I leaned into God and trust in his will and fear fades away.
September 10 2010
amy
love the story about the fellow who got saved because he
saw jesus in a dream and then he went around telling people he saw jesus in his dream, that he didn’t say anything but he saved me, simply awesome story
September 12 2010
Arielei
Where can I find an audio version of this teaching? I was at the teaching at LU, and both my husband and I were very moved by this teaching! I wanted to email the audio file to a couple family members of mine, but I can’t seem to find it. Thank you!
September 19 2010
Trisha
Clayton,
I cannot thank you enough for speaking this message to LU’s campus the other week. I was one there who has been praying constantly to get “rid” of fear. To be freed. See I recently got off of some nasty medication that I had taken the past 5 years and it left me anxiety ridden and almost consumed with fear. I think this is largely because of the chemicals in the brain, however, I also believe there is a spiritual componet to everything. This really helped me. I have been fighting and will continue fighting by the strength of God. Thank you for these tools! Keep preaching, I am listening!
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