[Please join me in praying for Jesus’s Church on Sundays.]
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.”
(Psalm 34:4 NLT)
In the winter/spring of 2020 our world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 virus. Leaving the politics of this aside – and there are many angles of politics attached to the last few years – I’d like to look at one spiritual implication of this virus. I remember sometime in the spring of 2020 having a picture in my mind/spirit of a huge storm front rolling in – like watching a thunderstorm come in over the Plains. However, this wasn’t just a physical storm. In my spirit I could see attached to the storm a demonic spirit of fear. No matter what the physical storm brought, I realized quickly that the spirit of fear was/is much more dangerous.
The NKJV of the Bible says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7) The true God of the Universe does not cause us to fear. The Apostle Peter tells us that our, “[A]dversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). The Apostle Paul tells us that our, “Combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage.” (Ephesians 6:12 TPT). It is the enemy of our souls and all the evil spirits that cause fear and hold this earth in bondage. God does not cause fear.
Paul tells us, “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 NKJV) And, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. (2 Tim. 1:7 AMP). God does not want us to be in bondage to fear.
Instead, God wants us to have a sense of security in our identity as his children. God wants us to have Holy Spirit-power, love, sound judgment, and personal discipline. When we are fearful we don’t think clearly or rationally. (Remember the lack of toilet paper in the stores?) Our “flight or fight” responses lead us – as individuals and as a society – to some very interesting actions. I know of people who did not leave their homes in over a year. I know of people who have stockpiled items they feel are important to have in the (“likely”) event of societal breakdown. Others of us have taken other actions because of our fear, not because God’s Holy Spirit has given us wisdom, discernment, power, love, sound judgment, and self-control. I understand that in any circumstance, an individual may act in ways inconsistent with their best interests, but I have been saddened – even horrified – by the responses many parts of Christ’s Church have taken in these past years.
Many, many parishioners, pastors, and church leaders have acted in ways that seem to say the Church is no different from any other organization on earth – fearful and impotent. Many in the Church have acquiesced to voices other than God, telling them they can’t meet; they shouldn’t be doing anything but staying home. This goes in direct contradiction to God’s Word. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25 ESV).
The writer of Hebrews tells us to not neglect meeting together. When we meet together we can “stir up one another” to good works and encourage each other. I know of churches who did not physically reopen until more than a year after the initial shutdowns. Even if there was some sort of online church option for those church members, their leaders have chosen to neglect meeting together. The leaders have chosen to inhibit people from basic human encouragement – hugs, handshakes, in-person smiles – and the physical/emotional presence of another person in the room. Jesus told us that, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
When we cower in fear in our homes, we are missing out on an opportunity to be gathered with Jesus’s body of believers. When we cower in fear in our homes, we neglect those who need our presence – our love, encouragement, physical supports, etc. The world has many weak believers and nonbelievers who need to know God’s Love and Peace, people who are desperately needing to be freed from the evil spirit of fear they have absorbed. We, the Church, must be strong in our faith and our witness that “Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is FREEDOM!” We need to share that Spirit with those around us; the spirit of bondage from the devouring enemy of our souls must be broken.
In many, many parts of Christ’s Church we have not been fearless. A.W. Tozer said, “A scared world needs a fearless Church” – a Church willing to stand up to the twisted (often demonic) voices of the world and stand firm for God. GOD wants us to be FREED from the spirit of fear. This is one of the best benefits of the Holy Spirit! This is the best thing God’s People – the Church – can offer a fearful and hurt world.
Church: RISE UP in faith in our strong God! Rise up to share the Good News of Great Joy, that Freedom is offered to all those who will seek the Lord!
God of Grace and God of Glory,
Thank you that you are the same God, yesterday, today, and forever. Thank you that you have called your Church to minister to this world with the empowerment of Holy Spirit and under the covering of your grace, courage, and love. Thank you that you give us power, love, and a sound mind so we don’t have to be trapped in the spirits of fear from the enemy of our souls. Thank you that you have adopted us as your children into your family for your Kingdom’s purposes. Thank you that we can help the world be freed from the bondages of fear that devours when we show them the Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Forgive us when we succumb to the voices of this world or the enemy of our souls. Forgive your Church which has not always moved in boldness and courage to “go and make disciples.” Forgive us when we forget that, when we come to you, you free us from our fears. Pour out your power upon your people, we pray. Bring your ancient Church’s story to the fullness of who you have created it to be and grant her wisdom and courage to face these days. When it seems evil around us scorns Christ and assails his ways and his Church, free our hearts from bounding fears so we may stand strong in faith and praise. Give us wisdom and courage for the living of these days. Remind us always that you are with us, even to the end of this age. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.
“God of Grace and God of Glory” by Harry Emerson Fosdick (public domain)
1 God of grace and God of glory,
on your people pour your pow’r;
crown your ancient Church’s story,
bring its bud to glorious flow’r.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the facing of this hour,
for the facing of this hour.
2 Lo, the hosts of evil round us
scorn the Christ, assail his ways.
From the fears that long have bound us
free our hearts to faith and praise.
Grant us wisdom, grant us courage
for the living of these days,
for the living of these days.
“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17 NLT)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8 NLT)
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT)