Our Spiritual Battle – Love versus Fear
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
God is love and Satan is fear, and the spiritual war Christians face comes to this: yielding to fleshly fear or standing strong with God’s 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). Therefore spiritual war is a battle of love verses fear; which is stronger in your life?
And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground (Luke 22:41-44). Jesus was fearful in the garden and asked the Father if there was another way to redeem mankind. The Father said no, and sent an angel to comfort him. Jesus’ flesh gave way to fear but his perfect unconditional love was more powerful, and he went to the cross. Once the angel came to comfort him, Jesus knew that the Father would give him the strength to endure. The Father will also give us the strength to overcome whatever Satan puts in our paths, even death.
A Christian’s spiritual battle can be seen as fleshly fear verses Godly love. As the Holy Spirit sensitizes our consciences, we become better able to capture thoughts that are not pleasing to God. Upon examination, these thoughts are most likely driven by fear. Satan uses any fear he can instill to keep us from serving the Lord. Fear can easily pull a person away from God and into self, and this is Satan’s goal.
This spiritual war must be fought with love, love for God over love for sinful fleshly desires. How does the love that God gives us become stronger than the fear in our flesh? Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine (Isaiah 43:1). The closer one is to the Lord, the more love He will bestow, because God is love. As a person begins to stand in God’s love, fear starts to diminish. God’s love drives out fear; they are opposites and cannot exist together.
Seek to be closer to the Lord, through prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship, and reflecting God’s love to everyone. Study the Word to understand the heart, compassion, and the love of Jesus. God is molding all believers to conform to the likeness of his Son. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). Jesus overcame his fleshly fear in the garden because His love was stronger than His fear. Many martyred souls today are killed for their faith in Christ because their love is stronger than their fear. I can do all things through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). God’s love for us is so powerful that he gives us his strength to endure all things.
Today capture any fear from Satan and overcome it through the power of God’s love. Refuse to yield to Satan’s temptation of fear, but choose victory in Christ. See yourself as a powerful warrior for the Lord, overcoming the world through his divine power. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20). Let God’s power work in you.
Let’s Pray: Lord, take away any fear from Satan and fill my heart with your love so that I may overcome the world. Lord with your divine help and guidance I can walk in victory over Satan’s temptations. Guide me to search for lost souls today so that I may minister to them. In Jesus name, Amen