From Fear to Victory
Scripture shows that fear can paralyze a person, while at the same time Solomon says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” (Eccl. 12:13).
The right kind of fear empowers us to be victorious through faith and to serve God despite our fears.
Our lesson today is titled From Fear to Victory…
Something that we all should agree on – that is
Fear Disables — Faith Enables
Paul wrote to Timothy saying, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7)
- Fear is a powerful emotion useful to us when it warns us of danger.
- But when fear controls us it limits us:
- Fear can destroy our faith, silence our testimony, and keep us from doing what God has called us out of the world to do.
- The issue is not whether Christians will ever experience fear.
- The issue is: Will we allow fear to control us, or will we walk in the faith that brings victory?
Example of people who were disabled by fear…
How Fear Disables People – 1 Sam. 17:4-11, 23-24
- Israel and Goliath — Fear Made an Army Stand Still
- 1 Samuel 17:4–11, 23–24
- Goliath challenged Israel, and: “When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” — 1 Samuel 17:11
- For forty days, the Israelite army was paralyzed by fear.
- How fear controlled them: They had an army, weapons, and experience, but fear prevented them from acting.
- David saw the same giant but viewed him differently because David trusted God.
- “The battle is the LORD’S.” — 1 Samuel 17:47
Fear says, “Look how big the enemy is.” Faith says, “Look how great God is.”
Not oly does fear disable – fear also causes us to…
Fear Can Cause Us To Hide…