Fear from Satan
I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4
People are fearful for many reasons like the common fears of going to the dentist or of snakes. Sometimes, a fear can be for our protection because it alerts us to danger. However, fear from Satan is designed to weaken or destroy our faith in God. Satan wants us to fear the future and to fear physical death. The Word tells us three-hundred-sixty-five times not to fear.
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 love and Satan’s fear can be considered as opposites; God is love and Satan is fear. The closer we are to the Lord, the more of God’s love fills our heart because Satan’s fear and God’s love cannot both live in our hearts. God’s loves cast out fear. God’s love in our hearts is extremely powerful, such that we fear doing anything that displeases the Lord.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1) The Lord will give us whatever we need to serve him and he will always be with us. Today, some people are being killed because they will not deny Christ, even in the face of death. This is because the Lord gives them his strength.
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10 ESV) The Lord is telling this to the church in Smyrna, and if their hearts are filled with God’s love, they will have divine strength to die for Christ. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28) The Lord tells us not fear those who kill our physical body because at our last breath our soul leaves the body and we are alive in paradise. Satan wants us to deny Christ due to fear, so both body and soul will be destroyed in hell.
Today, live with no fear from Satan because the Lord is with you and Heaven is your home. Don’t give Satan and his people the satisfaction of revealing fear. Stand tall in the power of Christ who will soon bring judgment on the world.
Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with your love and cast out any fear. Give me your strength to walk in victory and to always stand tall for Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.