Sunday Worship 11.00 am and 6.30 pm Minister: Dr William (Bill) J M Parker
5. Wiles of the Devil – 2 Timothy 1:7 – Fear – 11/2/18 (am)
Spiritual Warfare
Sermon Date: 11 February 2018 (am)
The Devil's Schemes (2) Fear - Ephesians 6:10-13 & 2 Timothy 1:7
Main Teaching Point:
Do not fear! God has given you a spirit of power, love and self-discipline
In the New Testament, what prohibition did Jesus speak most often? Do not fear! We tend to be fearful … and the devil encourages us to fear.
Fear is Good … Fear is Bad
Fear is not always bad. Fear of punishment
helps us do right. Fear of danger
causes us to behave wisely. But one of the greatest schemes of the devil is to cause fear in the Christian – the debilitating emotion caused by threat of danger, pain, or harm. This leads to a bad witness (Romans 2:24), nullifying what the Christian confesses: God is in control, I’m trusting in Jesus.
The devil will seek to induce fear in the Christian in two main ways:
1. Fear of the Past.
He will remind you of past failings to drag you down to despair in the present.
2. Fear of the Future.
The unknown. Will I get ill? Will I have an accident? What if I am made redundant? Will I cope with retirement? How will I cope financially? What if something happens to my family? I’m afraid of dying!
How the Christian should deal with this Scheme of the Devil
1. Know yourself.
Some are more prone to fear of the past or the future than others. If this is your weakness expect attack in this quarter.
2. Realise what you are
in Christ.
Your past (and present and future!) sins are forgiven (1 John 2:2). Your future is secure
in Christ (Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 7:25).
If the devil reminds you of past sins remind him of the work of Christ (John 19:30, Romans 8:1; 1 John 1:9, Matthew 12:20, Hebrews 7:25). He will flee!
If the devil causes fear of the future remind him of your confidence in the Lord (Joshua 1:9; Matthew 6:25, 34; 28:20; Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 4:19).
3. Realise what you have not been given
in Christ
(2 Timothy 1:7a). Timothy was fearful of the future: possible persecution; his leadership was resented; Paul might be put to death. Paul reminded Timothy that God had not given him a spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7a). It is the same for any Christian.
4. Realise what you have been given
in Christ
(2 Timothy 1:7b). Paul explains what Timothy, and every Christian, has been given:
- a spirit of power. Divine power to face whatever God calls you to face (Philippians 2:12-13; Zechariah 4:6).
- a spirit of love. Selfless love. Christians have the capacity to honour the greatest commandments to love God and love our neighbour. This deals with the problem of self, the cause of fear!
- a spirit of self-discipline. Self-controlled, sound judgment (Matthew 10:17-20).
In summary: talk to yourself – remind yourself of points 1-4 above; talk to the devil – quote the Bible at Him; talk to your Father in Heaven and your Saviour Jesus Christ – pray.
Conclusion - Lack of Faith!
Ultimately, fear shows lack of faith in God. Christian, how can you fear when He is in charge of your life? Thank Him for forgiving all your past failings (present and future too!). Trust Him fully. You are His child. He is your Father. Saturate yourself in His Word. Believe His promises. Resist the devil! And he will flee (James 4:7). So will your fear.
© Dr Bill Parker 2018