Understanding Fear: A Physical and Spiritual Perspective

 To fully understand fear, we must first understand what fear is. To understand fear properly, I believe we must examine it from both physical and spiritual perspectives. Scripture consistently teaches us that there is more to reality than what we can see with our natural eyes. Paul reminds us:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers... against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

Fear From a Physical Perspective

From a physical or natural perspective, fear is a strong emotional response triggered by a real or perceived threat to our physical, emotional, or psychological safety. It is the feeling of being afraid, scared, anxious, or worried about danger, pain, loss, uncertainty, or the unknown.

Our bodies can physically respond to fear. Our hearts may begin to race. Our breathing may change. We may become tense, nervous, restless, or overwhelmed. Fear can produce very real emotional and physical reactions. This is why fear is commonly understood simply as an emotion. However, the Bible introduces another dimension that should not be ignored.

Fear From a Spiritual Perspective

From a spiritual perspective, Scripture also speaks of what the King James Version calls "the spirit of fear." Second Timothy 1:7 declares:

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Notice carefully that Paul does not simply say that God has not given us fear. He specifically uses the expression "the spirit of fear." This presents an interesting question. If fear can be experienced physically as an emotion, yet Scripture also describes a "spirit of fear," how do we understand the relationship between the two?

Here is the principle I want you to consider: the feeling of fear can be the emotional and physical manifestation of a spiritual influence of fear. In other words, what is happening internally may sometimes reveal a spiritual battle.

This principle is consistent with the broader teaching of Scripture that spiritual realities can influence what happens in the natural realm. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that our struggle is not merely against flesh and blood. Therefore, as believers, we should not automatically assume that everything we experience emotionally has only a physical explanation.

At the same time, we must use biblical discernment. Not every experience of fear means that an evil spirit is present. Scripture records godly people experiencing ordinary human fear in dangerous or distressing circumstances. David himself said:

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." (Psalm 56:3)

Notice that David acknowledged that he sometimes felt afraid. His experience of fear did not mean he had abandoned God. Instead, he responded to that fear by deliberately placing his trust in God. This distinction is important.

Fear Can Become a Controlling Force

There is a difference between experiencing fear and being controlled by fear. A momentary feeling of fear may alert you to danger. But when fear begins dominating your thoughts, controlling your decisions, paralyzing your actions, tormenting your mind, and preventing you from doing what God has instructed you to do, then fear has moved beyond a passing emotion and has become a controlling influence.

This is why Proverbs 29:25 warns:

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25)

A snare is a trap. Fear can become a trap when it begins controlling how we think, speak, and make decisions. This also helps us understand why 2 Timothy 1:7 contrasts the spirit of fear with power, love, and a sound mind.

Fear says, "You cannot do it." God gives power.
Fear consumes us with ourselves and what might happen to us. God gives love.
Fear produces confusion, panic, and irrational thinking. God gives us a sound mind.

Therefore, one of the greatest battlegrounds concerning fear is the mind.

Fear Often Speaks Through Thoughts

Fear frequently begins with a thought:

• What if something happens to me?
• What if I fail?
• What if I lose everything?
• What if they reject me?
• What if the situation never changes?

The danger is that once these thoughts are repeatedly entertained, they can begin producing corresponding emotions. Those emotions can then influence our behavior and ultimately our decisions. This is why Scripture instructs us to bring our thoughts under spiritual discipline:

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Therefore, we should never allow fearful thoughts to operate in our minds unchecked. We must examine them against the Word of God.

Faith and Fear Both Respond to What Has Not Yet Happened

There is also an interesting contrast between faith and fear. Hebrews 11:1 says:

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith believes God concerning something that has not yet manifested. Fear often does something similar in the opposite direction: it causes us to emotionally experience a negative future that has not yet happened.

Faith asks, "What has God said?"
Fear asks, "What if the worst happens?"

This is why the believer must continually bring the imagination back under the authority of God's Word. Isaiah 26:3 gives us a powerful principle:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

Notice the relationship between the mind, trust, and peace. When the mind remains fixed upon God and His truth, trust is strengthened, and peace becomes the result.

Not All Fear Is Evil

Finally, we must distinguish tormenting fear from the biblical fear of the Lord. Proverbs 9:10 says:

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom." (Proverbs 9:10)

The fear of the Lord is not the same as the spirit of fear described in 2 Timothy 1:7.

One kind of fear draws us away from God; the fear of the Lord draws us toward obedience to God.
One produces bondage; the other produces wisdom.
One can torment the mind; the other teaches us to walk according to God's ways.

This is why 1 John 4:18 declares:

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment." (1 John 4:18)

The Principle to Remember

So, when we speak about fear, we should understand that there can be a physical and emotional dimension and a spiritual dimension. The physical feeling of fear is real. But as believers, we should also discern whether fear is being used as a spiritual influence to intimidate us, control our thinking, paralyze our faith, or prevent us from obeying God.

Most importantly, feeling afraid does not automatically mean you are operating in unbelief or that a spirit is present. David experienced fear, yet he chose trust: "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee" (Psalm 56:3).

The issue is not simply whether fear knocks at the door of your mind. The issue is whether you allow fear to enter, remain, and govern your decisions.

God has not given His people the spirit of fear. He has given us power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Therefore, when fear attempts to dominate us, our response must be to recognize it, test the thoughts associated with it against Scripture, reject what contradicts God's Word, and deliberately place our trust in Him.

Fear may speak, but fear does not have to become your authority. God's Word must have the final say.

Pastor Kevin L A Ewing
ewinglakevin@icloud.com
www.kevinlaewing.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

Be Anxious For Nothing

 Of course, there are times in our lives when we experience stubborn roadblocks. In fact, we encountered situations where it seemed like whatever we were challenged with was almost impossible to overcome.

The above scenario is why I believe in prayer and its ability to alter seemingly impossible circumstances. While getting ready for work this morning, I began to reflect on the many challenges I would have experienced throughout my life and, simultaneously, place those challenges before the throne of Almighty God via prayer. In my reflection, I noticed that there were prayers I had prayed and forgotten that God had not only answered but answered well beyond my expectations. I didn't even realize it until I began reflecting.

Consequently, during my many challenges, I was very anxious, perplexed, and highly impatient, consumed by the relentless thoughts of when God would come through for me. We quickly forget how God has answered many of our prayers, but when anxiety descends upon us, it appears God is taking forever to respond.

Through my many trials, I have always resorted to prayer as my ultimate solution. However, basic principles of how God initially responds to us when we bring our challenges to him must be considered. Firstly, the scriptures say, "Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7-8.

Based on the above scripture, God wants us to eliminate anxiety and our fears from our situations altogether. I have discovered that one of the reasons behind this is that anxiety is evidence of a lack of faith, and according to scripture, it is impossible to please God without faith, Hebrews 11:6. So, the scripture goes on to say that once we've eliminated anxiety, we must address "EVERYTHING" (not just the matter we so desperately want to be fixed) with prayer, a petition with thanksgiving, we must present our request to God, and as a result of the spiritual protocol. God will, in turn, provide us with a peace that passes all understanding during our troubling times, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Secondly, as the above scripture has prescribed, we don't thank God in advance for his solution.

Therefore, if you are praying about something and still worried, fearful, and saturated with anxiety. It indicates that we have yet to fully surrender our situation to God. The primary reason is that, right after praying about the case, your conversations with others about your situation are almost always negative. Secondly, we are admonished to address everything in prayer. In other words, God not only wants to manage and advise us on our troubles alone but also to guide, instruct, and direct us in all areas of our lives.

"Lord, please keep at the front of my mind where you've brought me from and the many prayers you've answered for me. Father, if I ever need your peace, it is now; the enemy is doing his best to overwhelm me with the negative of this situation to the point that it consumes my mind and spirit every time I try to address it in prayer. Father, I receive your peace in the name of your son Jesus Christ. I refuse to proceed any further on this day and even the days ahead without your peace that passes all understanding. I will sing your praises and reflect on all the prayers you've answered for me in the past as an incentive that this situation is no different, since it relates to your miracle-working power in the mighty name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen!

Written By: Kevin L A Ewing

ewinglakevin@icloud.com

kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

www.kevinlaewing.com

Stop agreeing with the spirit of fear

Yesterday on the Cindy Russell show we dealt with the foot soldiers of the kingdom of darkness. We
discovered that the foot soldiers of the kingdom of darkness are indeed the spirits of fear!

Prior to sickness, poverty, confusion setbacks, delays etc, the spirit of fear would always be the initiator in ushering in these other spirits into your life. While others would describe fear as a feeling or an emotion. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that fear is indeed a spirit! The feeling of fear is just the evidence of the presence of the spirit of fear.

"For God did not give us the "SPIRIT" of fear" 2 Timothy 1:7. Spirits, clearly understand that in order for them to manifest or perform their will in the natural, otherwise known as our physical world, human co-operation is a must. Again, this is so because God gave humans authority in the earth and not spirits according to Genesis 1:28.

Therefore, when the spirit of fear shows up, the reality is it's seeking your approval for you to agree with whatever evil it desires to release into your life.

statements such as: "I'm afraid that I may have Cancer". "I fear contracting HIV". "I fear that someone else will get the promotion instead of me". I fear that they may not view me as being qualified for the job". Again my friend, God did not give us the spirit of fear! This spirit is strictly from the enemy's camp.

The spirit of fear wants you to activate the spiritual law of fear so that it can dominate that particular area of your life that you unknowingly agreed to. The law of fear dictates the following, " For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me" Job 3:25.

If you would like to know what Job feared, then review Job 1 & 2 to discovered what all he lost and the infirmity that consumed his body. The bottom line friend is this. Stop confessing whatever it is that you fear because in doing so you are literally agreeing with the spirit of fear that desires to manifest whatever it is that you greatly fear!

I curse the spirit of fear and command it to be consumed by the eternal fire of God. I reject, renounce and condemn any and all confessions of fear that I have made in my life time. I command every evil covenant of fear to be broken by the power of God in the mighty name of Jesus the Christ. Amen!

Written By: Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

Spiritual warfare 101, Pt. 2

The front-line soldiers of the kingdom of darkness will always be the demonic spirits of FEAR!

The spirit of fear's initial attack on its human victims is to cause their victims to subscribe to fear. Now, this may seem crazy to you, but you'll understand why they organize and deploy in such a calculating manner, as I explain further. This is why when I am counseling someone or having a regular conversation with someone. They make statements such as: "I am so fearful." "I am afraid I will lose my job." "I am fearful of heights." "I am afraid I will never get married." "I have a serious fear of being broke, etc.", It immediately points out to me their spiritual ignorance and their unknowing partnering with the spirit of fear to bring about their fears!

Folks who make such statements have no idea that they are partnering with the forces of evil, particularly the spirit of fear to bring manifestation to their fears! Now, what is the actual definition of fear? Well, our dictionaries would be quick to point out to us that fear is a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined. However, this is not altogether true. The reality is fear is indeed a spirit! Let us prove it by scripture, " For God has not given us a "SPIRIT OF FEAR," but of power and of love and of a sound mind, 2 Timothy 1:7. Now, I will say this: the dictionary's definition of fear is just the evidence that the SPIRIT OF FEAR is present!

Now, in spiritual warfare, words are our weapons, particularly that of the word of God. We must filter our thoughts in an attempt to calculate what we intend to speak. As I mentioned in my article, "Spiritual warfare 101," our words engage the spirit realm. In fact, it is and, for the most part, will be our words that will forge covenants with either the kingdom of light or the kingdom of darkness to produce either kingdom's will in our lives.

From the book of Job, our brother Job is typically characterized as a victim in the first two chapters of the book of Job. It would seemingly appear as if there was no provocation on Job's end to incite all of the negative things that happened to him, right? Well, let's give a closer inspection to a few statements that our brother Job had said that very well could have incited everything God had allowed Satan to do to Job.

In Job 3:25, Job said, "For the thing which I "GREATLY FEARED" is come upon me, and that which I was "AFRAID" of has come unto me." Therefore, one of the spiritual laws that dictate or give permission to the spirit of fear to run its intended course in a human being's life by manifesting the victim's fears, the victim must first accept the spirit of fear, which they believe is just an emotion. However, the reality is you're ignorantly employing the spirit of fear via the law of fear to manifest whatever it is that you greatly fear and will cause to come upon you whatever you're afraid of. Again, this is why I reiterate throughout my teachings you must never ever confess your fears. Secondly, once you have experienced any type of dreaded fear, know for sure that this is the evidence that the spirit of fear is near to you, awaiting your fearful confession to begin the physical manifestation of those fears.

This is why I also advise that you speak to your fears. Yes, that's right! Speak to the spirit of fear by repeating out loud 2 Timothy 1:7 and any other scripture against the spirit of fear. According to scripture, the reality is the spirit of fear is always setting traps for us to catch us in his web. "The "FEAR" of man bringeth a snare/trap: but whoso puts his trust in the Lord shall be safe" Proverbs 29:25. So, as you would have read, whatever it is that you're being influenced to fear via what we know to be the spirit of fear, it is seeking permission via spiritual law according to Job 3:25 to overcome us and manifest those fears.

Question! Are you aware that those that are "FEARFUL"  inclusive of those that label themselves as "Christians," will be among the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars that will end up in the lake of fire as the consequences of their judgment? As usual, let us resort to scripture to shed more detailed light on this astonishing revelation. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" Revelations 21:8.

In conclusion, abnormal and debilitating fears are clear-cut evidence that the person that has become enslaved to the spirit of fear, in reality, really has a love issue going on with them. "Scripture says the following, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love" 1 John 4:18.

"My people are destroyed due to a lack of such available knowledge" Hosea 4:6

Written By: Kevin L A Ewing
kevinewing@coralwave.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

Intimidation!

Intimidation is almost always as a result of someone trying to gain control over someone or something that they never had control over before. Therefore intimidation acts as a disguise to strike fear in its victim to ultimately gain control and cause its victim to become subject to them.

Our bible tells us candidly that Satan is "like" a roaring Lion, seeking whom he may devour. One has to ask the question if Satan is the ultimate evil and adversary opposing the Almighty, then why is he about "acting" like a roaring lion and not equal to or greater than a lion in his behavior?

This scripture clearly exposes the limited power this so frequently talked about creature has. Christians, if Satan has to act or behave " like" a roaring lion towards us, then this spells three things for us and they are: A) his power is limited as it relates to the Christian B) he has no control over us, but attempts to gain that control via intimidation and C) he is subject to us because he has to deceive us via intimidation in order to rule over us.

My dear readers it is my job to challenge jump start, inspire and motivate the believer in the process of the renewing of their mind. So, whomever or whatever has been or is presently trying to intimidate you, know for sure that they are agents of the enemy and they are more afraid of you than you are of them. Jesus put it this way, “They are of their father the Devil”, pretending to be what they’re not, again all in an effort to gain ground they never had before.

As a matter of fact based on the understanding of the word intimidation it provides a clear cut view of the one who is really intimidated here. As a reminder our bible clearly tells us that God did not give us a spirit of fear (note: fear is a spirit). So if God isn’t providing this spirit of fear, then it is clear Satan is, seeing that these are the only two primary opposing forces. Instead the bible says God has provided us with power, love and a sound mind, 2Timothy 1:7. Now, is it not obvious why Satan is using the tool of intimidation? Well, mainly to control, or deprive us of our power, love and soundness of mind. Which clearly suggest that if he’s attempting to control or deprive us of it, then he has no present control in these areas that he’s challenging us in.

So, if your are overwhelmed by intimidation due to a doctor’s visit or a Doctor’s report, your kids possibly contracting HIV, some misunderstanding on the job, not being able to pay your bills and the like. This is the work of Satan creeping into your life to saturate your mind with negative thoughts and ultimately make you a slave to fear. Take this opportunity right now and say, SATAN, YOU AND YOUR DEMONIC FORCES I REJECT EVERY IDEA, THOUGHT AND IMIGNATION YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO INJECT INTO MY MIND IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST!

Speak to the power of darkness as if you actually see them before you, let them know that you are the one God has given power to trample over evil forces and every work of the Enemy. Let them know that greater is God who resides in you than Satan that is roaming this world.

Lastly, make no mistake these evil spirits are desperate to gain control over our will, please! Bind the spirit of intimidation and not the person. The person is just an agent who has made themselves available to the will of the enemy. As a reminder our fight is not against what is visible but those things that are invisible constantly warring against the spirit of our minds.

Heavenly Father It is my prayer that your spirits of love, power and soundness of mind aggressively rise up in every reader of this article and violently crush the head of every spirit of intimidation, fear, worry, depression, frustration and fatigue that has imprison your people. Now Father, I apply your law that says death and life is in the power of the tongue and I speak peace and clarity in their minds right now in the matchless name of your son Jesus Christ. Amen!

THE SUCCESS OF INTIMADATION AUTOMATICALLY IMPRISON ITS VICTIM!

Written by: Kevin L A Ewing

kevinewing@coralwave.com

kevinlaewing.blogspot.com