fear can be for our good

Fear can be for our good.Fear can be for our good.

Fear - a. A feeling of agitation and Fear - a. A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger. b. A state or imminence of danger. b. A state or condition marked by this feeling: living condition marked by this feeling: living in fear. c. A feeling of disquiet or in fear. c. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension. - American Heritage apprehension. - American Heritage DictionaryDictionary


God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20)God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20)


God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20)God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20) A proper fear always is enlightened by A proper fear always is enlightened by

faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31)faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31)



faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31)faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31) Without faith we may follow fear alone.Without faith we may follow fear alone.



faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31)faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31) Without faith we may follow fear alone.Without faith we may follow fear alone. Our eternity will be determined by our Our eternity will be determined by our

choice. (Rev 21:8 - ASV) choice. (Rev 21:8 - ASV)

Fear is powerfulFear is powerful

It brings strong immediate reactions. It brings strong immediate reactions. (Dan 5:5-7,9)(Dan 5:5-7,9)



It can paralyze. (Mt 28:2-4)It can paralyze. (Mt 28:2-4)



It can paralyze. (Mt 28:2-4)It can paralyze. (Mt 28:2-4) It can cause one to act without It can cause one to act without

thinking. (Gal 2:11-13)thinking. (Gal 2:11-13)


It can torment. (Prov 28:1)It can torment. (Prov 28:1)


It can torment. (Prov 28:1)It can torment. (Prov 28:1) It can change reality. (1 Sam 22:8)It can change reality. (1 Sam 22:8)


It can torment. (Prov 28:1)It can torment. (Prov 28:1) It can change reality. (1 Sam 22:8)It can change reality. (1 Sam 22:8) It can be easily shared. It can be easily shared.

(Num 13:30-14:9)(Num 13:30-14:9)

Fear is deceptiveFear is deceptive

It is not always easy to see. It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) (Mt 25:24-25)


It is not always easy to see. It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) (Mt 25:24-25)– You could give “reasons” to justify it.You could give “reasons” to justify it.


It is not always easy to see. It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) (Mt 25:24-25)– You could give “reasons” to justify it.You could give “reasons” to justify it.– Was Abraham thinking right? (Gen 20:11-13)Was Abraham thinking right? (Gen 20:11-13)


It is not always easy to see. It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) (Mt 25:24-25)– You could give “reasons” to justify it.You could give “reasons” to justify it.– Was Abraham thinking right? (Gen 20:11-13)Was Abraham thinking right? (Gen 20:11-13)

The fearful do not want to see! The fearful do not want to see! (Lk 10:29)(Lk 10:29)


We must seek God’s help to see.We must seek God’s help to see.


We must seek God’s help to see.We must seek God’s help to see.– The young can mistaken brashness for courage. The young can mistaken brashness for courage.


We must seek God’s help to see.We must seek God’s help to see.– The young can mistaken brashness for courage. The young can mistaken brashness for courage. – The old can think of their cowardice as The old can think of their cowardice as

wisdom. wisdom.


We must seek God’s help to see.We must seek God’s help to see.– The young can mistaken brashness for courage. The young can mistaken brashness for courage. – The old can think of their cowardice as The old can think of their cowardice as

wisdom. wisdom. – Would you be able to see fear in your life and Would you be able to see fear in your life and

fight it? fight it?

The fruits of fearThe fruits of fear

Satan will take advantage of our fears. Satan will take advantage of our fears. (2 Cor 2:6-10) (2 Cor 2:6-10)


Satan will take advantage of our fears. Satan will take advantage of our fears. (2 Cor 2:6-10) (2 Cor 2:6-10)– He will work to isolate and pit brethren against He will work to isolate and pit brethren against

each other. (Acts 6:1)each other. (Acts 6:1)


Satan will take advantage of our fears. Satan will take advantage of our fears. (2 Cor 2:6-10) (2 Cor 2:6-10)– He will work to isolate and pit brethren against He will work to isolate and pit brethren against

each other. (Acts 6:1)each other. (Acts 6:1)– There will be conflict between the path There will be conflict between the path

of faith and the path of fear. of faith and the path of fear.


Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter.when he can clearly know a matter.


Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter.when he can clearly know a matter.– What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)


Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter.when he can clearly know a matter.– What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)– Now they cannot acknowledge the great Now they cannot acknowledge the great

miracle of our Lord. (Jn 9:20-23)miracle of our Lord. (Jn 9:20-23)


Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter.when he can clearly know a matter.– What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)– Now they cannot acknowledge the great Now they cannot acknowledge the great

miracle of our Lord. (Jn 9:20-23)miracle of our Lord. (Jn 9:20-23)– Some churches in fear refuse to deal with Some churches in fear refuse to deal with

public displays of immodesty. public displays of immodesty.


Fear will cause you to “sell out” and Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others.forsake others.


Fear will cause you to “sell out” and Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others.forsake others.– Why did the apostles forsake Jesus? Why did the apostles forsake Jesus?


Fear will cause you to “sell out” and Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others.forsake others.– Why did the apostles forsake Jesus? Why did the apostles forsake Jesus? – Many will not stand unless there is a crowd and Many will not stand unless there is a crowd and

“leaders.” “leaders.”



“leaders.” “leaders.” – Fear is in essence a form of selfishness.Fear is in essence a form of selfishness.



“leaders.” “leaders.” – Fear is in essence a form of selfishness.Fear is in essence a form of selfishness.– How many churches have been harmed when How many churches have been harmed when

men act out of fear? men act out of fear?

Consider the leadership of fear.Consider the leadership of fear.

It can be subtle. It can be subtle.


It can be subtle. It can be subtle. It puts off and therefore multiplies the It puts off and therefore multiplies the

problem. problem.



problem. problem.– One church lost a generation of their young One church lost a generation of their young

because of this approach.because of this approach.



problem. problem.– One church lost a generation of their young One church lost a generation of their young

because of this approach.because of this approach.– In time the church developed a “peer group.”In time the church developed a “peer group.”


Things that strengthen are removed – the Things that strengthen are removed – the . result? --- a weaker faith!. result? --- a weaker faith!



It will use any means to accomplish its It will use any means to accomplish its goals.goals.



It will use any means to accomplish its It will use any means to accomplish its goals.goals.

The lowest common denominator rules. The lowest common denominator rules. (Particularly in a business meeting)(Particularly in a business meeting)

Consider the leadership of fearConsider the leadership of fear

It will in time produce the very thing It will in time produce the very thing that they feared! (John 11:48-50)that they feared! (John 11:48-50)

Consider the leadership of fearConsider the leadership of fear

It will in time produce the very thing It will in time produce the very thing that they feared! (John 11:48-50)that they feared! (John 11:48-50)

Consider the high price the Jewish Consider the high price the Jewish nation paid for this leadership. nation paid for this leadership.

How to let faith win over fearHow to let faith win over fear

Learn to look at God and not just at our Learn to look at God and not just at our fears.fears.


Learn to look at God and not just at our Learn to look at God and not just at our fears.fears.– With God we can face the unknown. With God we can face the unknown.

(Gen 26:24; Num 14:9)(Gen 26:24; Num 14:9)


Learn to look at God and not just at our Learn to look at God and not just at our fears.fears.– With God we can face the unknown. With God we can face the unknown.

(Gen 26:24; Num 14:9)(Gen 26:24; Num 14:9)– What did Jesus often tell His disciples and What did Jesus often tell His disciples and

others? (Mk 5:36; Jn 14:27)others? (Mk 5:36; Jn 14:27)


Accept with confidence the tests that God Accept with confidence the tests that God allows you to face. allows you to face.


Accept with confidence the tests that God Accept with confidence the tests that God allows you to face. allows you to face. – God will cause us to face our greatest fears. God will cause us to face our greatest fears.

(2 Cor 7:5-7)(2 Cor 7:5-7)



(2 Cor 7:5-7)(2 Cor 7:5-7)– We need to be careful in saying that a thing We need to be careful in saying that a thing

must never happen!must never happen!



(2 Cor 7:5-7)(2 Cor 7:5-7)– We need to be careful in saying that a thing We need to be careful in saying that a thing

must never happen!must never happen!– God can reassure you. (Acts 16:9-11) God can reassure you. (Acts 16:9-11)


We will be able to teach others by our faith We will be able to teach others by our faith in a living God. (Rom 8:28)in a living God. (Rom 8:28)


We will be able to teach others by our faith We will be able to teach others by our faith in a living God. (Rom 8:28)in a living God. (Rom 8:28)– ““What if I do not have enough money for my What if I do not have enough money for my

children!” (Heb 13:5-6)children!” (Heb 13:5-6)



children!” (Heb 13:5-6)children!” (Heb 13:5-6)– ““Will my children be hurt if they take a stand Will my children be hurt if they take a stand

alone?” alone?”



children!” (Heb 13:5-6)children!” (Heb 13:5-6)– ““Will my children be hurt if they take a stand Will my children be hurt if they take a stand

alone?” alone?” God’s best work comes in our weaknesses God’s best work comes in our weaknesses

if we will let Him. (2 Cor 12:7-10) if we will let Him. (2 Cor 12:7-10)

fear can be for our good

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