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 word 'fear' here is 'deilia' in Greek, from the word 'deilos', which means 'dread, timid ('bold-less'), faithless'. Obviously, Paul wasn't talking about the 'fear of God' (i.e. reverence, honor, respect, or a sense of awe towards God) here. But he was talking about the 'fear' that prevents one from walking in the will of God, keeps one 'small', and renders one useless in God's kingdom.
Recently, the Lord spoke these words during a time of worship and prayer:
"Whatever it is, fear not! For fear is not from Me. I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
The expression 'fear not' (or 'do not be afraid') has been mentioned all through the Bible about 180 times, and that's a whole lot! You see, the 'enemy' will always try to cause more 'fear', and even 'threats' against God's people, because he knows the more 'fear' we have, the more he will be able to keep us 'small' and useless!
"So, how exactly did 'fear' begin?"
There is a rule in Bible studies, and it is called 'The Law of First Mention'. This law can be defined as 'the first time a particular word is mentioned in the Bible, it is usually deemed to be significant in its meaning or even in its doctrine'. And the first time this word 'fear' (or 'afraid') being mentioned in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:10.
Let's now read Genesis 3:8-10: 'And they (Adam and Eve) heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked (lost the glory of the Lord due to sin/disobedience); and I hid myself."'
Romans 3:23 says, 'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'. Sin leads to punishment and rejection.
Notice 'fear' was never in man's 'dictionary' until man disobeyed or sinned! There in the garden, Adam hid himself because he feared punishment and rejection due to the very sin he had committed not long before that!
You see? Fear of punishment and fear of rejection! These are the very roots of all fears in every man! And according to a recent survey in a psychology class, the types of fear in man have since swelled up to a whopping 7,000 by our time, and still counting! Fear of future, fear of death, fear of accident, fear of what people say, fear of contracting a terminal disease, fear of pain, and the list goes on.
When one man failed, another Man made it right! Jesus is the answer to all our fears today, and it was at the cross that Jesus turned things around for you and me, taking upon Himself the very roots of all our fears:
He was beaten (punished) so that you are now blessed; &
He was rejected so that you are now accepted!
People of God, know that today God is not here to punish you, but He is here to bless you, protect you, provide for you, and prosper you. And because of what Jesus had done for you at the cross, know also that God is not here to reject you, but He is here to love you and accept you. Let Him carry all your fears.
Settle it in your hearts that His thoughts for you are always thoughts of peace ('shalom', literally meaning 'nothing broken, nothing missing; all is well, all made whole') and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11), and He is always here for you, not against you! Indeed, He is a God who loves to give you every good thing (Romans 8:31-32). Amen!
He will also always want to lead you in the right path, and lead you out of any trouble. The Bible says 'He is a lamp unto your feet, and a light unto your path' (Psalm 119:105).
Mark 4:35-41 says, 'On the same day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"'
Notice the words 'the other side' here? This speaks of 'your God-given destiny in life'. And notice the words 'they took Him along'? It is the same with us today. If you 'take Him along', you too will reach all your God-given destinies as well!
The good work God has begun in you, He will also bring it to full completion (Philippians 1:6). Whatever He has spoken to you (even in dreams, visions, or prophecies), believe that you too will see the fulfilment of it, even if it seems impossible right now. By His grace (ability and supply), you'll reach there! And whatever 'windstorm' you may be facing at the moment, or the 'waves' that beat into your 'boat', fear not, because if you have Him in your 'boat', you are in the safest place in this whole wide world. Amen!
