Immune to Fear Week 3Sample

 Stay Focused 

  Wherever your heart, eyes, and mind are set, is where the rest of you will end up eventually. We become whatever we behold. There was an article in the New York Times called, “Long-Married Couples Do Look Alike, Study Finds.” In this article Dr. Zajonc, a psychologist at the University of Michigan, proposed that “people, often unconsciously, mimic the facial expressions of their spouses in a silent empathy and that, over the years, sharing the same expressions shapes the face similarly.” Modern Science has finally discovered a biblical revelation from long ago— you become whatever you behold. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). What we set our attention on, with our eyes, minds, and hearts, has this incredible ability to transform us from the inside out! 

When I was a young boy, my father taught me how to mow our lawn. He instructed me to set my eyes on a target straight ahead at the other end of the yard and aim for it. That way, I would end up going straight towards my focal point, and my lawn stripes would be straight as a result. Whatever you focus on, whatever you give your attention to will grow in your life. Ultimately, what you give your attention to will influence you one way or another. If you are focused on only the bad news you hear (i.e. darkness, demonic activity, and negative thinking in general) you will undoubtedly find yourself in more and more bondage. You will see demons in every corner, even when they aren’t there. 

One of Satan’s most powerful weapons is fear. Hebrews 2:15 tells us that fear can bring bondage. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” 

Satan wants you to be so distracted by what He is doing in the world, that you forget what you are supposed to be doing in the world! He wants you to forget that you are a born-again victor over the kingdom of darkness! You see, fear paralyzes people from walking out the call of God on their lives. The devil thrives on fear, and evil depends on it. 

The antidote to fear is love, which comes from God of course! Paul explains it perfectly, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). If you are focused on darkness, then fear will rule your life. If you focus on God, then love will rule your heart. First John 4:18 tells us, “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.” 

As Smith Wigglesworth said, “If you have a great God, you will have a little devil; if you have a big devil, you will have a little God.” To keep the right perspective, we must keep our attention on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith!

Source: (Slaying Dragons. Chapter 11 pg. 181-182)