The Spirit of Fear

by Mike Atnip

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
II Timothy 1:7

Fear. It is the common lot of us all. Even amongst those of us who are the children of the Eternal God. Some great men of the past have been moved to confess it. Abraham would not let kings know that Sara was his wife, “for they will kill me.” Elijah, a man “subject to like passions as we” ran from the threat of the queen Jezebel, just after praying fire from heaven and slaying 450 prophets of Baal. He did this, after having lived some time in the house of a widow under God´s protecting hand—less than ten miles from Sidon, the queen´s original hometown!

Jumping to the New Testament times we encounter the great missionary Paul confessing that during his labors on the mission field, “without were fightings, within were fears.” Yet, beyond these normal passions and feelings, there is a spirit of fear. By this is meant a spirit that binds men and women into a spiritual paralysis, and this on a continual basis. Those in the grips of a spirit of fear live in fear more than they live outside of it. Every action, every ambition, yea, every desire is haunted by those dreaded words, “What if...”

Differentiating Fears

Before proceeding, it would be wise to briefly state the difference between a healthy fear, and an unhealthy kind. Proverbs 3:25 sums it up in a rather unique way. “Be not afraid of sudden fear.” A healthy, reverential fear of God is an ongoing respect for His majesty and awesomeness. This kind of fear stays on a rather level plane, even though day-to-day slight fluctuations are the norm. However, the fear of God that each of us has, whether little or much, never sees radical ups and downs from one hour to the next. The “sudden fear” is one that comes roaring into our life like an overdue freight train headed for the next town. Engines roaring, horns blowing, it thunders upon us demanding the attention and respect of all. “Get out of my way or I will run you over,” it screams. This is not the Biblical “fear of God.” Moreover, we are advised to “Be not afraid...”

“What if...”

In my experience, these two little words unveil the spirit of fear as well as any. Perhaps they may sound rather innocent and gentle to some, but to those of us who have felt their power, they are freight trains indeed. You are walking along life’s path whistling a hymn when suddenly you hear it coming: “What if” or “What if you sinned three steps back?” Or “What if the sky falls in?”

Over-sensitive Conscience

These questions have little power to the strong, but not all of us are strong and wise, especially in the early days of our Christian life. In our fervent desire to please God, the accuser comes and whispers these accusations in the ear. “What if?” At first they are somewhat quiet suggestions, somewhat like the first low rumbles of the track when a train is soon coming. Being desirous to please our God, we sure want to make right what we might have done three steps back.

In these situations, it is not really clear what was wrong, but better to make things right than to offend God. Therefore, we give ear to this spirit of fear. By heeding, we give it a place, even though it is a little place. Our conscience is tuned to this voice now, and when it speaks again, we are ready to give ear even sooner.

Soon it does speak again. The rumbling grows louder. “You maybe should...”

With each progression, the doubts grow larger, but the grip of fear gets stronger. By heeding a false spirit, thinking it to be the voice of God, the conscience soon is warped. Serving God is no longer a joy. The spirit’s demands grow stronger. “WOE TO YOU IF YOU DO NOT LISTEN!” “YOU ARE RESISTING GOD!”

Soon, we are responding in fear, not love.

Fear vs. Love

We serve God for various reasons. They can probably be boiled down to two. We serve God, either because we love, or because we fear. It is written that the “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” As children growing up in godly homes, this is a good maxim. Children do not understand the “why” many times, and to their little minds the rules of authorities, be it God, parents, or governments, make no sense. Therefore, it is best to teach them to obey, even if they do not understand. This can be done through fear of punishment, or through love, and a desire to please. Sometimes, the rod (administered by love) is necessary.

Hopefully, by the time the child has reached his teen-age years, a relationship of love and respect has developed between parent and child. This permits the quiet laying aside of the rod, along with its FEARFUL OBEDIENCE. Love now guides the child’s heart. He obeys because he wants to, not because he has to.

It is much the same with many of us in our relationships with God. We start out in fear and obey legalistically; doing only what we have to do. If we do not obey, we fear judgment is awaiting us. This is not what God wants. He longs for the obedience that is motivated by love. For many, they need to grasp the revelation of God’s father heart of love.

John tells us that perfect love casts out fear. When we reach “the end of the commandment,” which is “charity out of a pure heart,” our fear (the unhealthy kind) is displaced by agape love. If we serve God because we fear His reprisals, we are not yet perfect (complete, or mature) in love. We also read in the same context, that “fear hath torment.” Many of us know what this torment is all about. Oh how miserable it is to live with fears.

By this, we can discern a spirit of fear and the Spirit of God. When the suggestion comes to perform, or the accusation of disobedience pains our heart, we need to ask ourselves, “Is it accompanied by fear of reprisal, or hope of ransom?”

Discouragement

The spirit of fear is a very discouraging spirit. Besides constantly accusing us of trespasses, it tries to hinder progress with a barrage of “probably won’t work” and “might not be the will of God” and such like for all the future ambitions of the saints. Because of these words, those oppressed by fear can never accomplish anything. A look at the story of Nehemiah reveals this strategy.

Listen to the accusations: “Will ye rebel against the king?” To a tender conscience, this would sting. They think, “Rebellion, no, I do not want to rebel. Maybe I had better quit this rebuilding lest the king get angry with me.” Notice the suggestiveness of the word “Will.” It is not a definite accusation, but fear of a possibility. Such is the tactic of an accusing spirit. There is nothing definite, just some suggestion to make one afraid!

Next: “If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” This implies future failure, implying you might as well quit, because it is going to fail. Fear of failure is one of the accuser’s fiery darts. Stop it with the shield of faith!

Next: “They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst of them.” Let me call this one fear of the unknown. We fear that something that we cannot foresee will suddenly arise in our midst and stop us, so we might as well not start until everything is perfectly secure and assured. Because of suggestions like this, we often find ourselves hindered by fear in moving ahead.

Next: “Come, let us meet... in the plain of Ono.” This tactic does not necessarily use fear, but it is commonly used in conjunction with it. Its design is to get the attention off the reconstruction work and onto some possible infraction of the king’s commandment. In my own experience, I failed to recognize this as quickly as Nehemiah did; I spent many hours of my life “arguing” with the accuser whether I was guilty or not. Lots of time, energy, and efforts were spent going in circles. If I prayed, I should be working. If I worked, I should be passing out tracts. If I passed out tracts, I should be studying the Bible. If I studied the Bible, I should be spending time with the family. When with the family, I should be praying... YOU CANNOT PLEASE SANBALLET! He will call a conference every time to discuss how things should be done differently. If you fear him, you will spend much time spinning your wheels going nowhere. Nehemiah did the right thing, and cut the consultation short, “I am doing a great work, I cannot come!"

Next: “That thou mayest be king”. This is translated into the fearful accusation that says, “You are proud of your spiritual accomplishments, and had better quit so you will not get too proud.” I have faced this temptation, and know a dear brother tempted with the same thoughts. He has staggered a bit at continuing his work, because of fear of what possibly could develop into pride of spirituality. The manner to overcome is to simply recognize that we are not guilty of everything we are accused of, and lay another stone in the wall!

Nehemiah recognized the tactic as a threat to bring fear upon all so that “Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.” We should respond like Nehemiah did, crying out, “Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.” Amen!!

Finally: “Let us meet...within the temple, and let us shut the doors...” Oh, how many lives have become unfruitful and shut up within themselves, trying to preserve themselves! Gone is openness, transparency, and confession... How often a spirit of fear will try to get us off into some super-introspective corner, hiding lest we do something to offend our God. Nehemiah again recognized the enemy and refused to lay down his trowel. Can you picture him saying, “Scared? Who, me? Nah, I will not go in. It is just a scare tactic.” Moreover, in a few verses we read, “So the wall was finished...”

The enemy used jeers, threats, conference invitations, accusations, and letters from Tobiah. Why? The end of chapter 6 concludes with, “...to put me in fear.”

Lions in the Street

Our adversary recognizes the power of fear. Many men do also, and use their might to subdue others beneath them. Just the simple accusation has power. Preachers and cult-leaders can bring people almost spellbound under their “authority” by a continual barrage of subtle accusations. “You are lukewarm...” “You are worldly.” Then the next sermon is about the lack of prayer. These accusations may be true. They may not. But for the spiritually weak, these accusations can be means of controlling others; a substitute for real spiritual authority.

Do not be afraid. Proverbs 26:13 speaks this way. “The slothful man saith, There is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” He uses this for a reason to lay in bed, lest he go out into the street and get eaten by this lion. Are there faults in our lives? If so, let us rise up, get out of bed, grab a sword, and go out to meet them. Let us be like Benaiah, who “Went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in a time of snow.” There are many reasons to stay in bed on a snowy day, especially if a lion is roaming the neighborhood. But this valiant man rose to the need and took care of it, and is honored with his name in the sacred record forever.

Satan goes about as a roaring lion. With his roars, he attempts to keep the children of God huddled in their safe, cozy little corners. “You come out here and I will eat you alive,” he roars. “You go on the mission field and you will die of malaria.” “You preach the whole truth and your congregation will kick you out.” Benaiah not only went out into the streets, but, yea, even into the very snowy pit, and overcame the fearful roaring.

Angel of Light

Our enemy is wise, and he sometimes becomes a sweet little informer. Let’s notice the same fear and doubt he tries to plant as we look at the temptation of Jesus for an example.

Jesus was fresh from the baptismal waters, where the Holy Spirit fell upon him in a visible manner, and a heavenly voice publicly declared him the Son of God. What did this sweet little angel of light tempt him with first? “If.”

We will park here a little bit. Just this very word betrays the origin. God never convicts of sin with an “if you did wrong,” or “maybe,” or “what if,” or “perhaps.” God is always direct, clear, and specific. When God wants you to see sin, you will know when, and how you sinned, and more importantly, the way out.

Now let us return to Satan’s temptation. “If thou be the Son of God,” now wait a minute! Just 40 days before, God Himself had declared Jesus to be His Son. What is this “if” business? It is nothing less than a scare tactic. It is a way to get Jesus to doubt His Sonship, and to perform a deed to prove it. Once Jesus gave into this first doubt, and performed something in fear to prove something, He would be hooked. Satan knew this. However, praise God, Jesus knew it too. He refused to perform by Satan’s accusation. He could easily have turned the stone into bread. Later in His ministry, He fed thousands with a few loaves. This was by the command of His Father.

Never give place to the devil by proving your sonship out of fear of his accusations. I have been tempted with the thought that “if” (notice that little word again,) I was on fire for God, I would walk into McDonalds restaurant, get upon one of the tables, and preach Jesus to a lost and dying world.

When the thought came to me, my flesh recoiled! I thought to myself, “Oh no! I do not feel that way! There must be something wrong with me. I must be lukewarm, or backslidden!” This was an accusation from the enemy. When the time comes for me to walk into McDonalds and stand upon a table to preach, God will lead me to do it by love and compassion, not to prove my spirituality.

Faith or Fear

I personally have gone through many fiery trials in this area, especially in my earlier years. In the midst of these trials, I found a bumper sticker that read “Faith or Fear.” I put this on the bumper of my International Scout, and with part of another bumper sticker, I added the words right below, “the choice is yours.” This was done as a way to evangelize, but as time went on, I felt that God had inspired me to do it for my own sake! Every time I walked past my vehicle, I was reminded again. “Am I responding in faith and love, or in fear?” “Am I obeying Christ in peace, or am I driven by condemnation?” This was a great help to me as I learned to walk under the smiling face of my Heavenly father.

Led or Driven

In the western states, they still have cattle drives. You will see them moving them down the roads at times; horses, ropes, hollering and all. All who work with animals know, you drive cattle, and you lead sheep. This is good for us to remember likewise, God leads His children, but Satan drives his slaves. It is an easy trap to fall into. We begin to listen to the fearful accusations of the cattle-driver, motivated by a spirit of fear. If you look into the New Testament, you will find only one time where the Holy Spirit drove someone. One of the Gospels uses this word in reference to Jesus going into the wilderness to be tempted. Let us remember, God’s Spirit always leads with peace—the spirit of fear always drives.

I discovered an interesting thing about Jesus while studying one day. In the Gospels, we find Him coming to His disciples with the same phrase. “It is I, be not afraid.” Jesus never comes like a freight train, a “sudden fear.” He comes with assurance, even when He comes with a rod.

In conclusion, let us reason together for a moment. Two people can arrive at the same destination, but travel in very different ways. The one was led, and the other driven. My dear brother, or sister, if you feel your life to be one of pressure, fear, proving your relationship or obedience from condemnation, I urge you to calmly consider the spirit that you listen to. Does it provide assurance and comfort when it corrects you? Does it provide a way of escape when conviction comes? Are the accusations clear and specific? Do they lead to openness with other brothers, or do they make you want to hide in fear? You may be doing the right things, but are you being led, or driven?

These words I write, not to condemn, but to liberate. I have been there. I still have a tendency to these fears. But I am learning to pick up another stone to lay in the wall, telling Sanballet, “I cannot come, I am doing a great work.”

Will you join me?

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