“Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24

Notes:

With this teaching on fear, I must start off by saying that not all fear is negative.  Positive fear is the ability to revere God for who He is, and to tremble at His word.  Negative fear, however, is defined by a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined.  It is one of the most crippling strongholds in the life of a believer because it can hinder greatly the work of the Kingdom.  There are numerous examples of 

The sun rays crept through the tall oak tree leaves as I stepped foot onto a large university campus.  I made my way into a large room where a dozen or so other students were gathered for fellowship.  Within a few minutes of being idle and talking nonchalantly, all of sudden, without notice, the great weight and presence of God filled the room, bringing many of us down to the floor weeping.   With the presence came a voice: “Is not My voice like thunder, and the sound of many waters?”  When these words were released into the air, an immense feeling of heaviness engulfed me.  When the weight lifted eventually, the students, including myself, got up from the floor.  Some said “where did that thunder come from?” and others said “I didn’t hear thunder, but a voice!”  It was apparent that only a few heard the actual words spoken.  As we gathered our senses back together, we began to discuss with one another the meaning of what just took place.  Then, I awoke.  I gazed over at the clock: 2:14 a.m.  Shocked and overwhelmed with the dream, I turned on my bedside light and grabbed my bible.  As I flipped it open, it landed on 

1 Samuel 12:18:  “So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.”  And again in 2 Samuel 22:14:  The LORD thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice.”  

The Lord immediately dealt with me as I laid in my bed.  It had dawned on me that for many years of my life, even subconsciously, I feared man more than I had feared God, and that as a result, I have missed many opportunities to partner with Him to advance His Kingdom.  That night, as a result of my repentance, God tore down the stronghold of fear in my life, and     

Willing to Take the Challenge?

We are not to fear circumstances, people, situations, or challenges. Our fear should be in God alone, the reverential awe of who He is, and what He has done.  The fear of man is one of the greatest hindrances there is for the fulfillment of God’s purposes in your life.   When the Holy Spirit fills us, He gives us the fire and the boldness to be a witness for Christ and the gospel.