"Principality of Fear" - Part 2-1c

[Rev. Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

”Principality of Fear”

 

* Definition of Fear – Part 2-1c

James 2:18 says, "Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” It is clear that we have a responsibility to live in a manner consistent with one who has been perfected, pressing on toward our high calling in Christ Jesus. Personal holiness, sanctification, and righteousness give no room to fear. Fear stems from unrighteousness. Our fear provides satan's kingdom a foothold. Fear tells God that He's lost the battle and claims that satan rules. It declares God powerless to do anything about it. Fear and faith are equal in this; they both demand to be fulfilled. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Fear consists of things not hoped for, the evidence seen, or at least vividly imagined. Fear focuses on temporal events, ignores the eternal, and plays a central role in our earthly existence.

It is a common — and false — Christian teaching that once we are saved, all of our problems disappear. This teaching results in great confusion. The evidence is that we all struggle with sin and disease. We cannot deny the evidence. In truth the war just begins when we become born again. But it is a war that we can win if we apply God's principles by becoming a doer of the Word. The difference for a believer is that when we face problems, our relationship with the Godhead has given us the ability to successfully deal with them. Before Christ, we had no ability to conquer sin. Under the New Covenant we can defeat the works of the devil in our lives. Yet to defeat sin, we still must choose to do our part, and that is to obey God and resist the devil. God's part is to send the devil fleeing.

What does this mean? "... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). I Peter 4:18 says, "And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?" God's Word describes the characteristics of those who have good standing before Him. "He that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly; he that despise the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high; his place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off" (Isaiah 33:15-17).

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God bless you all and keep you all,

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks