Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
—Hebrews 2:14-15
The fear of death dominates mankind. Men are intimidated by fear and live in the most disgraceful situations rather than face death. They give up personal freedoms in hopes of prolonging their lives. Only Christians, who truly understand that the sting of death has been removed, are free from the torment that the fear of death brings. A person who no longer fears cannot be intimidated.
God needed to become a man so He could destroy the devil. The devil still exists, but his power and authority have been destroyed. The only way he has any influence is because of people's ignorance of God’s truth. His only weapon is the deception he employs in the attempt to steal our peace, kill our hopes, and destroy the promises God has given us. The fear of death is the underlying trigger of other fears. Knowing God's truth in our hearts opens our eyes to the devil's trickery. It releases us from fear that intimates us and holds us in bondage (John 8:32).
Much of our lives have been defined by fear. The fears of death, disease, disaster, disappointments, and rejection strongly control our thoughts and steal our dreams. There is an infinite list of fears that can shape our lives. Fears of possible illnesses, dealing with people, of heights or the dark, or not having enough money can dominate and rule us. Most likely, we don’t even realize how much we have allowed fear to define and limit us.
Fear was the primary response of Adam and Eve to the guilt they felt after their sin in the Garden. Fear is the primary response of the fallen, human spirit. This world successfully sells fear. The news manipulates us with fear. The entertainment industry heightens our human fear with movies and television. Many of our decisions in life take into consideration the fears that have been sown into our lives. The torment of fear keeps us from experiencing the truth of the abundant life Jesus came to give us.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
When we take the time to consider the tormenting and destructive power of fear, we start to understand why we often miss out on God’s best for us. The answer to fear is knowing the perfect love of God that Christ has given us in His finished work of grace.
Is it possible to live free from fear? Can we really experience Jesus’ abundant life, joy, and peace in this fallen world? I believe the answer is "yes" because the Word says it's true. The problem is never with the Word. The problem is with if we will allow it to be produced in our lives or not. The perfect love of God is the answer. His love casts out fear and has been shed abroad in our hearts (Romans 5:5). The potential to live free from fear is within us. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Receiving a true revelation of God’s perfect love is the only thing that can release the grip of fear manipulating us. Continually meditating on God’s Word until our minds and hearts conform to the truths of our identity in Christ, builds our faith to believe in His perfect love. The more we know His love, the more we will recognize all of the fears that have bound us, and the more we will understand the authority He has given us to defeat them.
“Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatian 4:7).
You are no longer a slave but a child of God through Jesus Christ. You have received God’s full and powerful inheritance. All Jesus has is yours. You don’t need to be intimidated. You don’t need to be a slave to fear. You just need a revelation of what is already yours in the love of Christ. Only in truly understanding His perfect love will you discover freedom from the bondage of fear. You can stand up for God’s truth without fear and intimidation. You can stand up for His truth in your life without the devil’s intimidation. The devil, who had the power of death, is defeated through the perfect work of Jesus Christ. The devil is under your feet.
Do you wish to have a revelation of His perfect love in your heart?
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me,” the psalmist wrote, “and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
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