I was reading a book today and I have to say, it brought some insight that really rocked my thinking. It was about a spirit of fear. It showed me the characteristics of fear in a new way...many that I have never thought about.

            The manifestations of fear are as follows; fright, torment, trembling, horror, dread, fear of death, faithless, nightmares, apprehension, anxiety, carefulness, agitation, timidity, shy, inferiority, inadequacy, tension, heart attacks, fear of man, fear of poverty and fear of dark.

            It talked about five types of people who are oppressed by a spirit of fear. 1. Hypercritic, those who have a critical or judgmental spirit. 2. Introvert. 3. Perfectionist - unduly cautious, in constant worry if they have done enough, if they turned off the stove or locked the door, etc. 4. Hermit. 5. Recluse, one who withdraws and separates himself.

            As I read this book I began to think about the scripture in 2 Timothy 1:7; For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.

            As quick as I thought of this I had a moment of clarity in my thinking. I realized if anyone is oppressed by a spirit of fear - which, by the way, GOD DID NOT GIVE IT - then they are not operating in what God has ordained for us to walk in...power, love and a sound mind

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            Did you realize that when you are operating in fear that you are void of power, love and a sound mind? Today, I realized that. It is God's will for us to walk in power. It is God's will for us to walk in love and it is God will for us to always have a sound mind. He provided the way for us to have all these things; this very scripture says that God has given us power, love and a sound mind.

            However, if we are walking in fear we are not walking in the things that Jesus died to give us.

            Scripture after scripture throughout the Bible tells us DO NOT FEAR. Over and over we read, fear not! Yet I did not realize that one of the reasons God doesn't want is to fear is because he knows when we do that we will not be able to walk in power, love and a sound mind. Fear stops some things. Fear is not faith. Fear is not from God.

            I don't know about you but I desire to walk in power. I desire to walk in love and I desire to have a sound mind at all times and to do that I will have to be void of a spirit of fear.

            Today, look over the manifestations of the spirit of fear and ask yourself if it is possible that you are dealing with a spirit of fear in your life. If you are, get rid of it. Remember, perfect love casts out all fear. Remember, God did not give you a spirit of fear and if you have one, it has no legal right to you, tell it to go and stay gone in Jesus name.

            Confess the word of God over your life; declare that you have power, love and a sound mind. Declare it a hundred times a day if you have to, every time fear tries to oppress you, declare you have power, love and a sound mind. Remind the devil that God does not give fear and if it doesn't come from God you are not having it. Refuse to allow it to have a part of your life. Refuse to allow it in your home or in your heart. Fight it with all you have and embrace that perfect love...for it will cast out all fear.

Kim Potter