The Mechanics of the SPIRIT of F-E-A-R
OBJECTIVE: To EXPLORE, EXAMINE, EDUCATE, and EXPLAIN about the various elements relating to the SPIRIT of FEAR
What is a Spirit? An angel or demon (A second common usage of the word is in reference to good and evil spirits, meaning the beings other than God and humans.)
What is Fear? A feeling of reverence,awe, and respect, or an unpleasant emotion caused by a sense of danger. Fear may be directed toward God or man, and it may be either healthy or harmful.
Healthy Fear: Is a REVERENCE, AWE, and RESPECT
Harmful Fear: Is a sense of TERROR or DREAD
Examples of Healthy Fear (Reverence, Awe, and Respect)
An emotion that REVERENCE and RESPECTS God as the TRUE and LIVING GOD
An emotion that RESPECTS God's SON, JESUS CHRIST, the HOLY SPIRIT, GOD'S CHURCH, and the MEN AND WOMEN OF GOD
An emotion that RESPECTS and OBEYS God's WORD, LAW, and ORDINANCES
An emotion that RESPECTS INDIVIDUALS LIVES
Examples of Harmful Fear (a sense of Terror or Dread)
An emotion that keeps is from fulfilling our DESTINY that God has for our lives
An emotion that keeps is from living a JOYFUL and SPIRIT FILLED and SPIRIT LED life where we GIVE to others out of the OVERFLOW of LOVE in our lives
An emotion that keeps you AWAKE with NIGHTMARES
An emotion that keeps you from leaving your home, getting out of your car or OVERCOMING past EMOTIONAL and PHYSICAL WOUNDS
What is the SPIRIT OF FEAR and HOW does one RECOGNIZE it?
An UNHEALTHY emotion that leaves us feeling a sense of terror or dread
An UNHEALTHY emotion that leaves us feeling a LACK of self-assurance; courage; or bravery
An UNHEALTHY emotion that leaves us feeling weak; incapacitated;imprisoned; and impaired
An UNHEALTHY emotion that leaves us feeling like we HATE ourselves and others
An UNHEALTHY emotion that leaves us feeling incompetent; senseless; unrealistic; unreasonable, and unwise
The BEFORE and AFTERMATH of the SPIRIT OF FEAR
Threatens (a DECLARATION of an intenetion or determination to inflict punishment, injury, etc., in retaliation for, or conditionally upon, some action or course)
Intimidates (to make timid; fill with fear; CAUSING US to feel a LACK OF.....)
Paralyzes ( to bring to a condition of helpless STOPPAGE, inactivity,or inability to act)
Immobilizes ( to make immoblie or immovable; to PREVENT the use, activity, or MOVEMENT of)
What does the Bible say about FEAR?
HEALTHY FEAR HARMFUL FEAR
Fear of the Lord Spirit of Fear
Psalm 111:10 (KJV) 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
Proverbs 19:23 (NIV)
Proverbs 14:27 (MSG)
Proverbs 14:26 (MSG)
Mattew 10: 28 (NLT)
Revelation 14:7(NLT)
How do we OVERCOME the SPIRIT of FEAR?
LOVE - 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 4:18; Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT); Romans 8:38 (NLT);
FAITH (belief & confidence) - Psalm 32:8; Psalm 34:4; Romans 10:17; Mark 5:36; Philippians 4:13,19
TRUST (reliance & confidence) - Psalm 56:3-4,11 Psalm 115:11; Proverbs 29:25; Job 13:15; Proverbs 3:5-6; James 4:7
ENCOURAGEMENT - 2 Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 41:10,13; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 23:4; 2 Corinthians 7:5-6; Psalm 27:1; Deuteronomy 3:22 (NIV); Deuteronomy 31:6; Luke 1:30, 2:10; John 14: 27; Hebrews 13:6
Fight -or- Flight
The instinctive physiological response to a threatening situation, which readies one either to resist forcibly or to run away
It can affect us both mentally, physically, and SPIRITUALLY
In some instances, the fight-or-flight response can be triggered even when there is no real (TANGIBLE) threat, such as standing up in front of a crowd to give a presentation or to PREACH
Through relaxtion and meditation exercises(and STUDYING THE WORD OF GOD), you can tell your body, mind, and SPIRIT, "Hey, this isn't a real threat, let's calm!" AND...that "God has NOT given the SPIRIT of FEAR; but POWER,LOVE,and a SOUND MIND!
A Personal Introspection and Self-Assessment of FEAR
1. Do you experience any of these UNHEALTHY emotions that we have discussed? If so, which ones?
2. How do the emotions that you listed above directly affect your ability or inability to move FORWARD in your life?
3. Have you IDENTIFIED where and from whom your FEAR originated? If so, how did you arrive at such a conclusion?
4. Is FACING your FEAR an option for you? Please explain why or why not?
5. What do you stand to LOSE if you do not CONQUER the SPIRIT of FEAR? (Make a list if possible.)
6. In what way have you been affected by the Fight-or-Flight Response?
7. What ACTIONS are you now PREPARED to take to CONQUER your FEARS?
Notes of Importance:
The SPIRIT of FEAR is not from God, but from Satan
The SPIRIT of FEAR is a DREAM THEIF
The SPIRIT of FEAR is DESIGNED to STOP US from REACHING our DESTINY
The SPIRIT of FEAR STOPS us from doing things that we DESIRE to do. In fact, we are in CONSTANT BATTLE with Fear EVERY DAY
The SPIRIT of FEAR can DRIVE YOU CRAZY
The SPIRIT of FEAR IMPRISONS
The SPIRIT of FEAR only works for FURTURE EVENTS. We get scared BEFORE we quit out jobs; we get sared BEFORE we marry someone; we get scared BEFORE we do our parachute jump out of a plane, NOT AFTERWARDS. Ans this WHY the SPIRIT of FEAR is so DANGEROUS. In fact, it seems like some of the GREATEST THINGS we can do in life are SCARY. But, NOTHING will EVER happen if we sit on our couches ALL DAY LONG.
The SPIRIT of FEAR is a LIAR
The SPIRIT of FEAR is a CHOICE
The SPIRIT of Fear can be CONQURED
