Mind The Creep | Creep of Fear
The CREEP:
The subtle shift of actions and ideas away from Biblical standards
Creeps so far:
Worldly Philosophies/Ideas
Complacency
- Distraction
- Pride
- Shame
Bitterness (Develops through…)
- Hurts
- Unforgiveness
Today is the Final creep
Last, because it is often found with the other creeps…
CREEP OF FEAR
Fear:
Fear includes anxiety, dread, and loss of courage in the face of an unpleasant or dangerous situation.
>>A word on ANXIETY
- Cannot escape anxiety permanently
- Learn management techniques
- Medication/Medical help
- Depression
Today is about the Fear that:
- Cripples your purpose
- Steals your joy
- Blinds your eyes
- Destroys your faith
Fear has REAL CONSEQUENCES…
Fear often results in depression
Proverbs 12:25
25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.
Fear or anxiety often leads to sin
Abraham lied about his wife to Pharaoh
Fear can immobilize your spiritual life
Proverbs 29:25
25 The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected.
- Afraid of what people may think/say about you
Fear makes God’s word unproductive in our life
Matthew 13:22
22 Now the one sown among the thorns—this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
Finally…
Fear ultimately leads to doubting that God…
- That he is with us
- For us
- Loves us
- Sees us
We can see why our enemy works so hard to bring fear in believers’ lives
- Severely handicap them from doing God’s will.
- Doubts God
- It is through fear that Satan rules in many men’s hearts.
Genesis 15
1 After these events, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision:
Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram continued, “Look, you have given me no offspring, so a slave born in my house will be my heir.”
4 Now the word of the Lord came to him: “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”
6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
Lord had promised Abraham a son
- Time had passed and still no son
- Abraham is at a crisis point in his faith
- Why is God taking so long?
Abraham fears that God won’t fulfill his promise
- He is DOUBTING GOD
- Fear always leads to DOUBTING
Fear’s greatest weapon is Doubt
3 things we DOUBT when living in FEAR…
1: Doubting God’s Presence
1 …Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield; your reward will be very great.
God’s answers Abraham’s fear by reminding him how CLOSE He is
- God is Abraham’s shield
- His protector
It’s so easy to this that God is distant
- Far away
- To busy for our problems
Don’t let God’s timing lead you to doubt His presence
- Fear is grown in panic waiting
- God is never late
Isaiah 41:10
10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
2: Doubting God’s Power
2 But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you give me, since I am childless and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram continued, “Look, you have given me no offspring
Fear leads us to doubt God’s power in our life
Abraham allowed his FEAR to dictate what he thought God could do
When something fails in our life, we don’t want to trust it
- Car battery dies
- Something breaks in your house
you don’t trust it anymore
- Don’t trust its power to come through
BUT GOD IS ABLE
- Just because he does not, doesn’t mean He can’t
Matthew 19:26
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Don’t let fear steal your trust in God’s power and Goodness
- God is going before you (Duet. 31:8)
- God is working it out for your good (Romans 8:28)
- You can Do what is necessary because he gives you strength (Phil. 4:13)
3: Doubting God’s Goodness
4 Now the word of the Lord came to him: “This one will not be your heir; instead, one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “Your offspring will be that numerous.”
6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
The most dangerous thing fear can do it convince you that God is NOT GOOD
Fear makes you feel isolated and alone
We live in a world full of PROMISE BREAKERS
- people say one thing and do another
But that is not OUR GOD
- He ALWAYS COMES THROUGH
God assures Abraham of the Promise and His Fulfillment of His promise
- He would come through
- He will be true to his word
Psalm 31:19
19 How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you. In the presence of everyone you have acted for those who take refuge in you.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Do not be conformed to:
- Fear
- Doubt
- Complacency
- Bitterness
- Worldly Ideas
Isaiah 53
3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from; he was despised, and we didn’t value him.
4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.
On the Cross, ALL THESE THINGS ARE PUT TO REST
- Fear
- Bitterness
- Complacency
- Worldly ideas
There is nothing more wonderful than what HE HAS DONE
Fear is a Signal:
Fear is a signal that this is bigger than me
Fear is a signal that it’s time to Pray