Reference: I John 4:17-18
The dictionary's definition for the wordfear is the state of being afraid; something dreaded, or anticipation ofmisfortune or pain. The word of God says that he who fears or he who has fearis tormented. Fear has a tormenting effect on a person and it will lead to verydrastic consequences. Fear is the number one thing in the world today that iscausing many people to live a life of misery. Fear will actually drive a personinsane. Jesus spoke about fear coming upon this earth that will actually causemens hearts to fail them. This will be the fear of things that will take placein these last remaining days before Christ comes back to this earth again forthe second time. Many people today claim to be what is called a strong andfearless sort of a person, but when the things begin to take place that Christspoke about, then many people are going to realize that they were not fearless asthey thought they were. There are thousands of people today who are tormentedwith the thoughts of fear not being able to cope with the situation that isprevailing. Many see the condition of today's youth and of the social standingsin the government and other parts of society and they are being greatly concerned about it and it is causing them tobe unable to keep a stable mind. It is quite a blow to many people to see thethings that are transpiring right before their very eyes. Many had great confidencein the government of this country but when they see the corruption that isbeing drawn out into public, in the watergate affair, they are left in a stateof amazement.
There are yet many things that will take place that will actuallystagger the imagination of the average person and these things will fill thehearts of many with a fear that can lead them to self destruction. This worldtoday is filled with people that fear is the prevailing force within theirhearts and lives and this fear is the main cause of all the heartache andsorrow that they are so bound with. Thousands of people today are afflictedwith some kind of sickness and these sicknesses will take the lives of thegreatest majority of them. Most sickness are caused by the fear that isprevailing in the heart and lives of most people. Did you know that you canactually worry yourself to death? What do most people do when they hear about acertain disease that begins to get spread in the land? I guarantee that ninetysome percent will flood the doctors office and the health clinics asking thedoctor to give them a bunch of shots that will protect them from the disease.How many people do you see flying to the doctors office everytime they get alittle sniffle in their nose? People today flood the doctors office because ofthe fact that they are so full of fear. Why do you think the insaneinstitutions are so crowded and overflowing? Fear is the most destroyingdisease that this world has ever known. There is a reason why so many people areso full of fear. The apostle John tells us that fear has torment. He also saysthat he who fears is not made perfect in love. Did you know that there is onlyone way to get the fear out of your heart and life? The apostle John tells usthat perfect love casts out fear. Are you aware of what type of love it is thatcasts out the fear within your heart and mind? This love is the love of God.Just take a good look at today's religious world that claims to be born againchildren of Almighty God. With so many people confessing to be christians todaydon't you think then that this world should not be in the pitiful conditionthat it is? This nation claims to be a God fearing nation. Why then is it solow in morality standards? Are you aware of the fact that you can confess tolove God and yet be a million miles from him? Jesus said that many honour himwith their lips but their hearts are far from him. The reason why Jesus saidthis is because most people claim a love to God based on the fact that theybelieve in him only on a historical standpoint and view. To actually prove thatyou love God is done by your love for his word revealed in the Bible. Theapostle John says that perfect love casteth out fear. This perfect love is notyour saying with your mouth that you love God, but rather perfect love is yourlove for God proven by your obedience to his revealed word in the gospel of Christ.Perfect love is coming to a position where you have come, through and by yourobedience to the truth. The apostle John in IJohn 2:4-5 stated thesewords, "He thatsaith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truthis not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Godperfected: hereby know we that we are in him." Please notice that the apostle John reveals that it is verypossible to say you love God when all the time you are not keeping his everyword. Are you my friend, one of those that say you love God but yet you aretormented with your thoughts of fear that is just about to get the best of you?When Christ began to preach to the people after he was tempted of Satan in thewilderness, he made a very and most wonderful statement. It tells us in Luke 4:16-18 that Christcame to Nazareth where he had been brought up and he went into the synagogue onthe sabbath day and he stood up to read from the book of Isaiah and this iswhat he said in verse eighteen, "The Spiritof the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to thepoor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to thecaptives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that arebruised," Please notice myfriend that Christ came to set the captives free from their prison of fears.Satan keeps you bound with fear which causes you to be tormented and you willnever have true peace and happiness that Christ has to offer you. My friend, Iknow for a fact that you are still filled with fear and not faith. Faith is thevery opposite of fear. You will never have faith as long as you refuse toreceive and obey the word of truth. Your obedience to the word of truth willperfect the love of God within your heart and mind thus giving you the perfectpeace of Christ. The religious church world today cannot set you free from thedestroying force of fear because they are void of the very truth that will doit. The denominational churches today are nothing more than houses ofimprisoned souls where they will never have the true peace and contentment thatChrist has to offer them that will obey him. Do you find yourself a slave tofear my friend? Are you afraid of every little thing that seems to prevail inthis life? Are you one tormented with sickness and disease not being able toconquer them? You are either ruled by fear or by faith. Faith conquers everydevise that Satan has. Jesus said, behold, I give you power over all the powerof the enemy... Do you have this powermy friend, or are you one that the storms of life are about to destroy? TheBible says that faith come by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Myfriend, if you are still full of fear instead of faith, then the reason issimply because of the fact that the church you belong to is not aquainted withChrist, which is the way, the truth, and the life. Onlytruth will remove your fears.......