Controlling Emotions Lesson 2:
Fear Bible Study Part 1- What is Fear?

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

I'm going to start off this fear Bible study by posing what may seem to be a very simple question: What is fear?

Webster's dictionary says that fear is "to...expect with alarm." Now, as Christians, we are supposed to have a sense of expectancy, but a person who is experiencing fear lays in wait for what seems to be an unavoidable catastrophe. I have a strange feeling that this is not the kind of expectancy God had in mind Fear Bible Study-Bible Study Online Christian Smiley

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One of my favorite definitions of fear is that it is:

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

That is more true than most people realize. Statistics have proven that a vast majority of the things we fear never become reality. But, in our mind's eye, the false fears can sometimes seem more real than anything else around us.

When we are looking to determine the true nature of something, the best place to look is in God's Word. So, in part one of this fear Bible study, we will carefully uncover what God has to say about the true nature of fear in the Bible.

What is Fear Really?

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity
(of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear),
but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love
and of a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
-2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP)

There are a few important points that this scripture brings up.

Fear is a spirit.
It is a spirit that God did not give to us.
And self-discipline, self-control and love are our protection from fear?

Though we are talking about controlling emotions, fear is much more than just an emotion (just as most emotions are). Fear is a spirit. And it is a spirit that does not come from God.

Fear is a spirit of torment sent out by our enemy the devil. But, we should not be surprised. The Bible says that "we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world...and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).

God says that Satan only comes to "steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). And that is what the spirit of fear is sent out to do.

In lesson 2 of our Online Bible Class, Who's Controlling Your Thoughts, I talked about Satan's Lies of Destruction. Fear is, quite plainly, a spiritual attack designed, not only to steal your peace, but your destiny in Christ. As Believer's it is our responsibility to learn how to safeguard our mind against these attacks, and reclaim what God has in store for us.

Fear Can Steal Your Miracle!

Fear has the power to steal the miracles that God wants to do in you, and through you. An excellent example of this is what happened to Peter in Matthew 14. He was on the edge of greatness, but his fear stole his miracle.

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them,
walking on the water... Then Peter called to Him,
"Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water."
"Yes, come," Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat
and walked on the water toward Jesus.
But when he saw the strong wind and the waves,
he was terrified and began to sink...
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.
"You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt Me?"
- Matthew 14:25,28-31 NLT

I LOVE Peter! Of all of the disciples, Peter, with his great boldness yelled out - Hey, Lord, if it's really you, then give me the power to walk on water too!

And, amazingly, Jesus called Him out of the boat. And for a moment, a mortal man walked on water.

I want you to stop and think about this amazing miracle! Peter is the only man other than Jesus known to have walked on water!

Jesus was doing a miracle with him - Peter was changing the history of mankind as they knew it.

And, what happened?

Peter saw his circumstances - The waves were crashing -The wind was blowing. Suddenly, he began to fear. Men can't really walk on water. I'm losing my footing? This is too hard!

And, just like that, the way we remember history was changed forever.

People usually don't remember that day as a day when God defied the laws of nature and caused a mere man to walk on water. It is most often remembered as the day that Peter's fear got the best of him.

That thief, fear, stole Peter's miracle.

Christian Fear Is Double Minded

God says He did not give us a spirit of fear, but "of power and of love and of a calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."

When we are afraid, our minds are not well-balanced as God describes. When we fear or doubt God, we are said to be double minded (James 1:8).

God says that when a person comes to Him...

it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering
(no hesitating, no doubting)....
For truly, let not such a person imagine
that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute),
[he is] unstable and unreliable
and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
-James 1:6-8 (AMP).

That is exactly what the spirit of fear wants to do to you. To make you unstable, unreliable, and uncertain about everything - Your thoughts, God's promises - Everything. Anyone who has ever been afraid can attest to the truth of that scripture.

Why is Christian fear double minded? Because part of your mind may believe God's promises of love and provision, but your doubts and fears reveal hidden beliefs contrary to those promises.

You can't believe Jehovah Rappha is your healer,
and then fear you'll die of cancer.

You can't believe Jehovah Jireh is your provider,
and then fear you'll go bankrupt.

That is being double minded.

Imagine if your children had that much doubt in your desire or ability to care for them. That is why God says that a double minded person should not expect to receive anything from Him.

But, you don't have to be double minded, unstable and uncertain. You can have God's peace and learn how to faith your fears to death! In the online Bible class that I taught on renewing your mind and emotions, I share a step by step guide for breaking spiritual strongholds like fear and doubt off of you once and for all. You truly can receive the mind of Christ, and be free from the bondage of fear.

Controlling Emotions Lesson 1:
Fear Bible Study: What is Fear?

Bible Study Reflection Questions

When you read that fear is a spirit, what does that mean to you?

Think back over your Christian walk. Have you ever allowed fear to stop you from doing something great?

When Jesus reached out His hand to save Peter, He asked him, "Why did you doubt me?" Why is that question so significant?

Before this fear bible study, have you ever thought of your hidden fears as being double minded? How do you think it makes your Heavenly Father feel when you have fear?

Renewing Your Mind and Emotions Online Bible Class

Christian Fear Bible Study

Lesson 1: What is Fear
Lesson 2: Do You Choose Faith or Fear?
Lesson 3: Freedom From Fear

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