The helmet of salvation is necessary to counter the Devil's use of fear.
Adam and Eve lost their sense of security in God when they disobeyed him and in its place formed a deep feeling of anxiety. In fear they tried to hide from God.
The Devil exploits fear.
* He keeps us trying to hide from God and to sure up our life through pride, pleasure, possessions and the things of this world.
* Demonic possession can often be traced back to experiences of fear and trauma (like abuse.)
* Christians can be made unfruitful 'through the worries of this life.'
* We deny Christ on account of fear (think of Peter sifted by Satan in fear.)
* The Devil's accusations can lead to despair.
The Devil is a bully who works on fear and keeps his victims captive through it.
The Helmet of Salvation is our confidence and assurance that we are saved through the death of Jesus, who tasted death on our behalf (Heb.2:9.)
We are new creations in Christ and we must put on our new self that is being made to be like Jesus (was Jesus ever afraid or worried?) The Holy Spirit lives who lives in us is stronger than the one who is in the world. He is not a Spirit of timidity, but of power (2 Tim.1:7.)
We fight the good fight of faith when we take hold of the eternal life to which we have been called (1 Tim.6:12.) We do this when we fix our minds on what Jesus has done for us and live in the promises of God and refuse to be intimidated.
With Paul we say,
I am not ashamed,
because I know whom I have believed,
and am convinced that he is able to guard
what I have entrusted to him for that day.
2 Tim.1:12
Question?
ReplyDelete1. If fear is conquered at the cross of Jesus, why do so many Spirit-filled Christians struggle with fear?
2. What do I do then (in every day, practical terms) when I face fear in my life?
Great message on Sunday Ray! Confronted me about fears in my life.
ReplyDeleteIn regard then to Marty and Kaz - some practical things I have done since
When and recieved prayer after the service, confessing my fears to someonelse was very helpful.
Since then I have been able to talk about my fears with two other people as well. I recon getting stuff out into the light by sharing it with others, puts the true perspective of the size of these fears.
Someone then gave me a reading from a book that has helped me put some practical things in place.
So I would say - make a move - share fears with others, have people pray for you. An low and behold He will speak back - My devotions this morning were full of his truth for me.
Sharing my fears with people in the body have made them look half the size they were just 2 days ago.
That's true Glenn, and in sharing with one another, we always gain another perspective. Great advice.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on question one?
Also, if Satan comes in our point of weakness/trauma (as Ray mentioned), does he just leave when we prayer? Or is something more required?
oops, typo - should be 'pray'
ReplyDeleteHere's my thinking.
ReplyDeleteFear is a human condition since the time of Adam. Christians are not free from it, even though we are new creations in Christ. We live, 'in between.' Hence Christians need to arm themselves with God's armor to resist and overcome the Devil. If we did so more, we would be afraid less.
Satan reigns through fear (Heb.2:15). Satan and demons are constantly looking to afflict and exploit the fear in us all. Therefore, we need to stand firm not just in prayer, but in our mind convinced and full of faith in the promises of God. We also stand firm when we refuse to give in and follow the path of our fears; that is, we don't try to medicate our fear with the usual practices of fleeting fun, immorality, driven work, pride etc. Instead we continually offer ourselves to God and do all things in the Name of Jesus.
On the topic of demon possession. It seems to me that Satan may 'possess' people in times when they are especially vulnerable and weak; such as through abuse, crisis or trauma (occult practices too stem from fear of spirits and through this fear Satan steps in)
In Luke 11:20 - 26 Jesus suggests that Demons are driven out but then try to return unless the person is strong enough to resist. Such people need the armor of God in all it's facets to do so.