The Spirit of Faith vs The Spirit of Fear

Faith on the left in Red and Fear on the right in Blue.
Jesus in the Center clean shaven.

Our lives are governed by one of two spirits. Those spirits are Faith and fear. Faith comes from The Holy Spirit and is considered one of the gifts of the spirit, "the gift of faith." (1 Corinthians 12:9). Faith in Christ can make a believer so empowered that nothing of this earth or in the spiritual realm can shake or harm them. By faith, that is trusting in the Lord a Christian can "do all things in Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). Those who walk by trusting in the Creator and Savior never need be afraid. For the life of faith filled person is one of expectations, it is to be in the ultimate disposition of St. Paul, "I do not know if it is better to die or live! If I perish I will be with the Savior and if I live I can be of some help to believers." (Philippians 1:23-34). That is where we need to be as followers of Christ; happy if we must die or glad to be alive to continue sharing the Gospel.

Unfortunately, the spirit of fear is strong in this world. The spirit of fear is not the sensory ability in our minds that tells us to be afraid of falling off a bridge or getting stabbed by sharp object (natural and healthy fear). No the spirit of fear uses irrational and anxious thoughts to feed itself. It is by the spirit of fear that people do horrible things. Most acts of aggression, abuse, and even horrible genocide are fostered by a spirit of fear. Fear has the power to cripple a person and make them feel pushed down or panic at any moment. Fear can manifest like a the grime reaper to cause terror regarding death, or make you too timid to chase that opportunity God has placed in your lap.

Faith and fear are perpetually at war. At all times we are operating in one or the other. Faith or trust in the Lord Jesus will cause us to live bold, courageous, and uncompromising lives. We are to "walk by faith," and not "have a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7). But this captain and comrade of Satan will not let us go without a fight. If you intend to be fearless and full of faith, you shall find yourself tested. Fear wants a host and it will try to haunt you if you dare command it to leave. To combat fear and become a man or woman of faith, we must put our trust (faith) in the Lord. We must start believing the words in the Scriptures and choose to resist the desire to give into fear.

This is easier said than done, especially when you encounter people possessed with a spirit of fear and intimidation. Fear is often the captain under the Jezebel spirit (a controlling fallen angel) and they work together to control people through other people. Have you ever met a person and felt bent over? Has a short woman (like 4'1") ever caused you to be terrified or her voice to make you so cringe and cower that you feel compelled to obey? She has a Jezebel spirit with a spirit of fear. There are psychologists and counselors that will convince you that these spirits and dark powers do not exist and are merely mental illness (the evil spirits cause mental illness). The truth is that Jesus Christ had to confront these wicked spirits often and delivered many people from demons: "And he was casting a demon, and it was mute; and when the demon came out the mute man was able to speak. He (Jesus) cast out spirits with a word." (Luke 11:14). "And he healed many with diseases, and He caste out many demons, but would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was." (Matthew 8:16). "Demons were also coming out of many, shouting "you are the Son of God," But He rebuked them because they knew Him to be the Christ." (Luke 4:41). "And He said unto them, Go! And the demons came out and went into the swine; the pigs then ran off the cliff into the ocean." (Matthew 8:32).

Those are merely some examples of Christ casting out demons. For those who think we are not to wrestle against evil spirits here are some more verses from the Apostles, "I give you authority to caste out demons." () and "Our war is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, dark powers, demons, and rulers of this present darkness." (Ephesians 6:12). The devil and demonic spirits are very real and are working against us daily. The spirit of fear is merely one of thousands who seeks to destroy saints and devout Christians.

Thankfully, we have hope! The Lord Jesus has not left us without power against fear and the other spirits! Here are some tools; scriptures that will empower you against the spirit of fear and instill a deep faith and trust in the Lord!

St. Paul says,

"For you did not receive a spirit again that makes you a slave to fear, but received a spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15).

St. Peter says,

"Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should  suffer for what is right, you are blessed, "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." (1 Peter 3:13-14).

St. John says,

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18).

Finally,

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said, "never will I leave you, nor will I ever forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, I shall not be afraid (fearful). What can Man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

We can take a stand against the spirit of fear and stop it from taking control our lives! Put your faith (trust), the opposite of fear, in Jesus Christ! He shall give us the strength and resolve to resist the bait of fear. Remember that we are "more than conquerors in Christ who loved us." (Romans 8:37).