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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Self-Control Defeats Fear

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV).

Today we look at the last weapon that is listed in 2 Timothy 1:7 to defeat a spirit of fear. “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). Self-control is really not self-control. It is Holy Spirit control, and only comes when you surrender your mind so that the Lord can train the way you think. Training your mind comes through making a choice to believe what God's Word teaches no matter if your feelings don't go along with that choice. You can choose faith over fear with this surrender. God is faithful to empower you to win the hardest battle in your mind, but you must allow Him to “own” your mind completely. Your greatest surrender comes in your heart and mind. The battle to control any thought or fear is easier when you surrender it to God's control. It is such a relief to let Him fight the battle!

Recognize the fearful thought for what it is‒a threat to destroy your peace and joy. Know God's Word and His promise that comes against that thought. This is what makes study and knowledge of the Word critical. Faith comes by hearing and applying the Word (Romans 10:17). Pray God's promise from his Word, and tell Him your fear. Give your fear to him with praise because you know He is faithful to take care of it. Now refuse to worry about it anymore. When your fear rises to hit you again, keep refusing it. Tell the enemy you have given it to God. Do it over and over again. When you keep bringing your thoughts under God's control, you will eventually defeat those fearful thoughts. Those attacks will become just weak attempts. The control of your thoughts will be in God's control. You will completely depend upon Him.

In The Prayer of Jabez, Bruce Wilkinson writes, “God’s power, under us, in us, surging through us, is exactly what turns dependence into unforgettable experiences of completeness.” What makes complete dependence upon the Lord an unforgettable experience? It becomes an unforgettable experience when, in submission to His will, you receive His power that brings completeness, healing, and renewal in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:23)

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