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Fear can be for our good. Fear - a. A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger. b. A state or condition marked by this feeling: living in fear. c. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension. - American Heritage Dictionary. Fear can be for our good.
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Fear can be for our good. • Fear - a. A feeling of agitation and anxiety caused by the presence or imminence of danger. b. A state or condition marked by this feeling: living in fear. c. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension. - American Heritage Dictionary
Fear can be for our good. • God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20)
Fear can be for our good. • God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20) • A proper fear always is enlightened by faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31)
Fear can be for our good. • God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20) • A proper fear always is enlightened by faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31) • Without faith we may follow fear alone.
Fear can be for our good. • God appeals to our fears. (Rom 11:20) • A proper fear always is enlightened by faith. (Prov 1:7; Mt 10:24-31) • Without faith we may follow fear alone. • Our eternity will be determined by our choice. (Rev 21:8 - ASV)
Fear is powerful • It brings strong immediate reactions. (Dan 5:5-7,9)
Fear is powerful • It brings strong immediate reactions. (Dan 5:5-7,9) • It can paralyze. (Mt 28:2-4)
Fear is powerful • It brings strong immediate reactions. (Dan 5:5-7,9) • It can paralyze. (Mt 28:2-4) • It can cause one to act without thinking. (Gal 2:11-13)
Fear is powerful • It can torment. (Prov 28:1)
Fear is powerful • It can torment. (Prov 28:1) • It can change reality. (1 Sam 22:8)
Fear is powerful • It can torment. (Prov 28:1) • It can change reality. (1 Sam 22:8) • It can be easily shared. (Num 13:30-14:9)
Fear is deceptive • It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25)
Fear is deceptive • It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) • You could give “reasons” to justify it.
Fear is deceptive • It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) • You could give “reasons” to justify it. • Was Abraham thinking right? (Gen 20:11-13)
Fear is deceptive • It is not always easy to see. (Mt 25:24-25) • You could give “reasons” to justify it. • Was Abraham thinking right? (Gen 20:11-13) • The fearful do not want to see! (Lk 10:29)
Fear is deceptive • We must seek God’s help to see.
Fear is deceptive • We must seek God’s help to see. • The young can mistaken brashness for courage.
Fear is deceptive • We must seek God’s help to see. • The young can mistaken brashness for courage. • The old can think of their cowardice as wisdom.
Fear is deceptive • We must seek God’s help to see. • The young can mistaken brashness for courage. • The old can think of their cowardice as wisdom. • Would you be able to see fear in your life and fight it?
The fruits of fear • Satan will take advantage of our fears. (2 Cor 2:6-10)
The fruits of fear • Satan will take advantage of our fears. (2 Cor 2:6-10) • He will work to isolate and pit brethren against each other. (Acts 6:1)
The fruits of fear • Satan will take advantage of our fears. (2 Cor 2:6-10) • He will work to isolate and pit brethren against each other. (Acts 6:1) • There will be conflict between the path of faith and the path of fear.
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter.
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter. • What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19)
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter. • What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19) • Now they cannot acknowledge the great miracle of our Lord. (Jn 9:20-23)
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause a man to be “agnostic” when he can clearly know a matter. • What a simple question. (Jn 9:18-19) • Now they cannot acknowledge the great miracle of our Lord. (Jn 9:20-23) • Some churches in fear refuse to deal with public displays of immodesty.
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others.
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others. • Why did the apostles forsake Jesus?
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others. • Why did the apostles forsake Jesus? • Many will not stand unless there is a crowd and “leaders.”
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others. • Why did the apostles forsake Jesus? • Many will not stand unless there is a crowd and “leaders.” • Fear is in essence a form of selfishness.
The fruits of fear • Fear will cause you to “sell out” and forsake others. • Why did the apostles forsake Jesus? • Many will not stand unless there is a crowd and “leaders.” • Fear is in essence a form of selfishness. • How many churches have been harmed when men act out of fear?
Consider the leadership of fear. • It can be subtle.
Consider the leadership of fear. • It can be subtle. • It puts off and therefore multiplies the problem.
Consider the leadership of fear. • It can be subtle. • It puts off and therefore multiplies the problem. • One church lost a generation of their young because of this approach.
Consider the leadership of fear. • It can be subtle. • It puts off and therefore multiplies the problem. • One church lost a generation of their young because of this approach. • In time the church developed a “peer group.”
Consider the leadership of fear. • Things that strengthen are removed – the . result? --- a weaker faith!
Consider the leadership of fear. • Things that strengthen are removed – the . result? --- a weaker faith! • It will use any means to accomplish its goals.
Consider the leadership of fear. • Things that strengthen are removed – the . result? --- a weaker faith! • It will use any means to accomplish its goals. • The lowest common denominator rules. (Particularly in a business meeting)
Consider the leadership of fear • It will in time produce the very thing that they feared! (John 11:48-50)
Consider the leadership of fear • It will in time produce the very thing that they feared! (John 11:48-50) • Consider the high price the Jewish nation paid for this leadership.
How to let faith win over fear • Learn to look at God and not just at our fears.
How to let faith win over fear • Learn to look at God and not just at our fears. • With God we can face the unknown. (Gen 26:24; Num 14:9)
How to let faith win over fear • Learn to look at God and not just at our fears. • With God we can face the unknown. (Gen 26:24; Num 14:9) • What did Jesus often tell His disciples and others? (Mk 5:36; Jn 14:27)
How to let faith win over fear • Accept with confidence the tests that God allows you to face.
How to let faith win over fear • Accept with confidence the tests that God allows you to face. • God will cause us to face our greatest fears. (2 Cor 7:5-7)
How to let faith win over fear • Accept with confidence the tests that God allows you to face. • God will cause us to face our greatest fears. (2 Cor 7:5-7) • We need to be careful in saying that a thing must never happen!
How to let faith win over fear • Accept with confidence the tests that God allows you to face. • God will cause us to face our greatest fears. (2 Cor 7:5-7) • We need to be careful in saying that a thing must never happen! • God can reassure you. (Acts 16:9-11)
How to let faith win over fear • We will be able to teach others by our faith in a living God. (Rom 8:28)
How to let faith win over fear • We will be able to teach others by our faith in a living God. (Rom 8:28) • “What if I do not have enough money for my children!” (Heb 13:5-6)
How to let faith win over fear • We will be able to teach others by our faith in a living God. (Rom 8:28) • “What if I do not have enough money for my children!” (Heb 13:5-6) • “Will my children be hurt if they take a stand alone?”