Nothing to Fear

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'There is no fear in love, for perfect love cast out all fear." (1 John 4:18).

The first "nothing" with which we defeat the devil is -- "Nothing to Fear." And we gain this ground by trusting in God's love. The Message says, "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life -- fear of death, fear of judgment -- is one not yet fully formed in love."

To the degree that fear is present and active in your life -- the devil will have access. He plays upon our fears, and uses them to drive us into separation and isolation, where he then wrecks havoc upon our souls. But, once God's love secures your heart, He will drive fear out of your life -- more and more until you can truly say, "I have nothing to fear."

A life with nothing to fear comes from trusting in God's love.

When David feared Saul, he fled for refuge to a pagan king, and made a complete fool of himself (see 1 Sa.21:10-15). Then, coming to his senses, he embraced God's love and faithfulness, and said, "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 27:1). And again, "I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear! What can man do unto me?" (Psalm 118:5-6).

The fear of man brings a snare; the fear of death holds us in lifelong bondage; the fear of failure prevents us from risking it all for success; the fear rejection immobilizes us from truly expressing the grace of God in our lives; and the fear of financial loss makes us grab for more and more, while clutching tightly to what we have. And on and on it goes.

In what ways is FEAR preventing you from experiencing and enjoying God's love? Follow David's example and say, "What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." (Psalm 56:3).

The Amplified Bible assures us of God's love and faithfulness. It says, "Let your character, your moral disposition, be free from love of money; including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions. Be satisfied with your present circumstances and with what you have; for God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake nor let you down, nor relax My hold on you! Assuredly not! So we take comfort and are encouraged, and we confidently and boldly say, 'The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm! I will not fear or dread or be terrified! What can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

Joshua proved this word to be true -- "All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I'll be with you. I won't give up on you; I won't leave you." (Joshua 1:5).

Many have walked in the truth of this promise, and now we can, too. We can follow in the footsteps of the undefeated by living a life in God's love -- a life with nothing to fear! A Life that Satan cannot defeat!!
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