Fear from Satan
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:8
Fear is one of Satan’s best weapons to pull us away from God. People can live in fear of many things, such as disease, losing their job, broken marriage, terrorist attack, nuclear war, or economic collapse. Satan really wants us to be fearful of life, because it can pull us away from God and into ourselves to seek a solution to calm our fears.
What is the solution to calm our fear? First John 4:18, tells us “Perfect love drives out fear,” and perfect love comes from the Lord, implying the Lord can take away our fear. If love drives out fear then the more of God’s love we have in our hearts, the less fear we should have. If we were in the physical presence of the Lord, all fear would vanish. The Lord is present with us through the Spirit and we feel his presence when we commune with him. The Lord can calm our fear by the presence of his love. 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). God’s perfect love for us calms our fears just as a small child has no fear in the mother’s arms.
The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? (Psalm 118:6) Knowing heaven is our home makes us more concerned about our eternal soul than our temporary flesh. Christ tells us, Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. (Matthew 10:28) If we are heavenly destined and have overcome the fear of death, then how much is our fear reduced?
No matter how close we are to the Lord, or how much of his love fills our heart, Satan will continue to use fear in an attempt to pull us away from God. As long as we are living in this flesh we will have to fight the spiritual war of fear. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) Christ has given us his power to overcome all temptations because he defeated Satan when he went to the cross. Whenever Satan pushes fear in our face we run to the Lord and depend on him to guide us through life into our eternal home. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Fear from Satan can be toxic and can lead to depression, inflammation, and metabolic illness, especially if fear and stress begin early in life. We are created in the image of God with a mind filled with love and hope, and the mind cannot process continuous fear and remain healthy. And if our mind is not healthy then it can negatively affect our physical and spiritual health. Therefore, treat fear from Satan as a toxic disease and the only cure is God’s perfect love.
For further information on the infection of fear and how God can heal the brain, I recommend the book “The God Shaped Brain” by Timothy R. Jennings, M.D.
Today, tell yourself that you will not entertain any irrational fear and walk with confidence in Christ. Recognize that Christ in you has the power to overcome Satan’s temptations. Be confident today in the power the Lord has given you through the Spirit. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your perfect love and for the promise of eternal life with you in heaven. Take away any fear Satan puts in my path and guide me through your power to overcome the temptation. Increase my faith that I will turn fear from Satan over to you and walk in peace and joy as your humble servant. In Jesus name, Amen.