It is possible to live with faith and fear simultaneously. While faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being certain of what we do not see, fear is unbelief or weak belief. Faith is a gift from God, and it is a fruit or characteristic produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit. We can have faith in God, but our human fears are our insecurities, which can be traced back to a core fear and suspicion of God. God gave us free will, and He loves us and works all things in our lives for good. He promises us faith as soon as we return to Him. When we learn to live in faith and not let fear rule our lives, we can enjoy a fulfilling, peaceful and joyful life in Christ.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Faith and fear cannot coexist | Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see |
Faith is a gift | Faith is not something we can produce in ourselves |
Faith is a fruit | Faithfulness is produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit |
Faith is a confident assurance | Faith is an absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives |
Fear is unbelief or weak belief | Fear takes hold of our emotions as unbelief gains the upper hand in our thoughts |
Faith is not mature without trials | Adversity is God's most effective tool to develop a strong faith |
God's faith in us is unwavering | God's strongest warriors are His greatest angels |
God wants us to walk by faith | Satan wants us to walk in fear |
Worship is a spiritual weapon | Worship invites God's power and presence into our lives |
God sees us, loves us, and wants us to trust Him | God has a good plan for our lives |
What You'll Learn
Fear and faith cannot coexist
Fear and faith are incompatible, as one is grounded in belief and the other in unbelief. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as "being certain of what we do not see". It is an unwavering belief that God is present and working in every area of our lives, even when there is no tangible evidence. Conversely, fear is described as unbelief or weak belief. As doubt creeps into our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions.
God's Reminders to Have Faith
God reminds us that we should have faith in Him, His plan for us, and His plan for the world. Despite our human fears and insecurities, God loves us and promises us faith as soon as we return to Him. He wants us to walk by faith, not by fear, which is Satan's desire. We can choose to worship God and focus on His goodness, inviting His power and presence into our lives. Through worship and prayer, we can develop a strong, confident faith that leaves no room for worry and fear.
Overcoming Fear with Faith
To overcome fear, we must understand that faith is a gift from God, and it is our decision to put our trust in Him and His promises daily. We can choose to live by faith, not by sight, and walk by faith, not by fear. When faced with fearful situations, we can remember that God has sustained us in the past and will continue to do so.
Faith in Action
Faith is not just a feeling or belief; it is something we actively choose to live by. We can choose to worship and trust God, believing that He is working in our lives, even when we cannot see it. By studying the Bible, we can learn about God's character and see Him working in our lives, strengthening our faith.
Freedom from Fear
Our faith in God is our freedom from fear. Even in the face of adversity, we can trust that God is with us and will heal us. We can have faith in His unwavering faith in us and, in turn, have faith in ourselves.
A Calm Peace
God assures us that we can know a calm peace through every situation. We are encouraged to bring our fears and worries to Him in prayer, and He will guard our hearts and minds with His peace.
While it is natural to experience fear and worry, we can choose to combat it through faith in God. By understanding the nature of faith and actively choosing to walk by faith, we can live a fulfilling and peaceful life in Christ, free from the rule of fear.
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Faith is a gift from God
Faith and fear cannot coexist. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as "being certain of what we do not see". It is an unwavering belief in God and His plan for us, even when there is no tangible evidence. On the other hand, fear is a result of weak belief. As fear takes over our thoughts, it displaces hope, peace, and tranquility, leaving only unrest, heavy hearts, and persistent torment.
The Bible teaches that faith is not something we can conjure up on our own, but it is a gift from God Himself. This is evident in 2 Peter 1:1, Philippians 1:29, and Acts 3:16. Faith is an integral part of God's grace, and it is through faith that we are saved. It is not something we can produce in ourselves, but it is a gift that grows as we study the Bible, learn about God's character, and see Him working in our lives.
Even in the face of fear and adversity, we can find comfort and strength in our faith. As we go through trials and fearful situations, God's Word saturates our thoughts and gives us the ability to say, "He sustained me in the past, he'll carry me through today and he'll uphold me in the future!".
Jesus himself experienced fear and life-threatening situations, yet he always emerged unharmed. He knew that God would deliver him, either through life or death, and this gave him calm and fearless faith.
In conclusion, faith is a gift from God, and it is this faith that overcomes our fears. It is a living, enduring trust in God that guarantees our salvation and gives us peace, confidence, and freedom from fear.
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God's plan for us
God does not reveal His entire plan for our lives all at once. We are given only what we need to keep moving forward. We are called to trust Him on this journey and allow Him to work creatively in and through us as we "walk by faith, not by sight."
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Holy fear eliminates other fears
In a world filled with fear and anxiety, it is possible to live a life free from the grip of fear. The Bible tells us that we are to live by faith and not by fear. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see". It is an absolute belief and assurance in a God who loves us and cares for our deepest needs. On the other hand, fear is unbelief or weak belief. As our thoughts become dominated by unbelief, fear takes hold of our emotions.
So, how can we live a life of faith and not fear? The Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). As we study the Bible and learn about God's character, our faith grows stronger. We begin to see God working in our lives, and this knowledge displaces fear. We can also choose worship over worry. Worship is a powerful weapon that invites God's presence and power into our lives. When we worship, we focus on God's goodness and all the good things He has done for us.
Additionally, we must understand that fear does not come from God. God wants us to walk by faith, while Satan wants us to walk in fear. By accepting God's love and grace, we can overcome our fears. We can have faith in God's promises to protect us, grow us, and love us. This faith eliminates our human fears and insecurities.
The fear of the Lord is not the same as being afraid of God. It is about recognizing His power and sovereignty, and it leads us to surrender our lives to Jesus. When we do, we find peace, confidence, and freedom from fear. This holy fear gives us a proper perspective on life and eternity, and we realize that God is the only One we need to fear because He alone has power over our eternal destiny.
The Bible is filled with examples of people who lived with holy fear. Daniel's three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, refused to bow to King Nebuchadnezzar's idol, even in the face of death. They knew that God was able to save them, but even if He didn't, they would not waver in their faith. The apostle Paul also had this attitude, stating that to live was Christ, and to die was even better (Philippians 1:21).
When we live with holy fear, we trust that God is in control, and we find peace and freedom from the fears that once held us captive.
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Worship over worry
It is undeniable that we live in a world filled with fear and anxiety. From sickness to job loss, failure, and the uncertainty of the future, there are countless things that can trigger worry and anxiety in our lives. While some of these fears may seem more "trivial" than others, it's important to recognize that fear does not come from God. Instead, God wants us to walk by faith, while Satan aims to keep us trapped in fear. So, how can we choose worship over worry?
Understanding Faith and Fear
Faith and fear are opposing forces that cannot coexist. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see." It is an unwavering belief in God's constant presence and work in our lives, even when we cannot see or understand it. On the other hand, fear is characterized by unbelief or weak belief. As doubt creeps into our thoughts, fear takes hold of our emotions.
The Power of Worship
Worship is a powerful weapon against fear. When we choose to worship God, we shift our focus from our fears to His goodness and all the good things He has done for us. This act of worship invites God's power and presence into our lives. Choosing to worship involves both our thoughts and attitudes. Instead of giving in to worry, we can choose to practice our faith by declaring our trust in God and expecting good things from Him.
God's Promises for Us
God's Word is filled with promises that remind us of His faithfulness and love. For example, Philippians 4:19 assures us that "my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." When faced with uncertainty, we can find comfort in knowing that God will provide for us. Similarly, Romans 8:31 declares, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" This powerful reminder helps us put our fears into perspective and trust in God's ultimate power and protection.
Walking by Faith
As Christians, we are called to live by faith, not by sight. This means that we are to constantly choose faith, even in the face of challenges and uncertainties. By consciously deciding to put our trust in God and His promises daily, we strengthen our faith and leave no room for fear to creep back into our lives.
Faith in Action
Faith is not just a passive belief; it requires action. When we fully trust God to handle our problems, we can experience the peace and joy that come from living a life surrendered to Him. This doesn't mean ignoring our problems but rather facing them with honesty and courage, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
In conclusion, choosing worship over worry involves actively practicing our faith, focusing on God's goodness, and trusting in His promises. By doing so, we can overcome fear and experience the abundant life that God intends for us. So, let us fix our eyes on Him and walk by faith, not by fear.
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Frequently asked questions
Fear and faith are incompatible. Faith is described in Hebrews 11:1 as being "certain of what we do not see". It is the absolute belief that God is constantly working behind the scenes in every area of our lives. Fear, on the other hand, is unbelief or weak belief. It is possible to have faith in God and His plan, but still struggle with human fears.
Fear can displace hope, peace, and tranquility, leaving unrest, heavy hearts, and persistent torment. It can cause us to worry and obsess over problems, rather than facing them.
Faith is the antidote to fear. When we learn to live in faith and not let fear rule our lives, we can enjoy a fulfilling, peaceful, and joyful life. We can choose worship over worry, inviting God's power and presence into our lives. We can also take comfort in the fact that God knows our thoughts and cares about our deepest needs.
The Bible tells us to have faith in God constantly, even in the face of adversity. It also reminds us that God is with us and will protect us. For example, Isaiah 12 states, "Surely God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
Faith is a gift from God, and it grows as we study the Bible and learn about His character. We can develop a strong faith by carefully studying God's Word, spending time in prayer, and worshipping Him.