In my religious training through my years at Hebrew school, I don’t remember anyone ever telling me about the devil or the existence of Satan, who is the personification of evil.

I knew about the concept of evil, of course, but I never knew it was personal.

I was nearly sixteen years old when I saw the movie The Exorcist. It utterly terrified me. After seeing that movie, though, I knew there was a devil, and this knowledge scared me deeply.

I wondered, “If the devil was able to take possession of the girl in the movie (which I understood was based on a true story), how do I know he won’t take possession of me in the same way?”

And for months after that I would lay in my bed at night terrified. Even though I was a teenager, I would wait until I thought my parents were asleep, crept into their room, and fell asleep on the floor by their bed. I was so afraid that the devil would take complete control of me like he did the girl in the movie.

Though I believed in the existence of God, I did not know Him in a real and personal way.

However, when God revealed Himself to me and I gave my heart to Yeshua, I knew the Lord was real. I was almost instantly delivered from my fear of the devil—I knew that God had saved me and was protecting me. Beloved, the same is true for you as well.

The more assured we become that we are God’s, that He chose us and loves us, and because of this He is protecting us, the less afraid of the devil we will be.

The more assured we become that we are God’s, the less afraid of the devil we will be....
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If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, you can read a free preview of my book Do Not Be Afraid here: Free Preview or get the book on Amazon here: Buy on Amazon

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In his first inaugural address, Franklin D. Roosevelt said,

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

The common human response to fear is to retreat, hide, and cower in the shadows. But this is not God’s way, beloved, for we must confront fear by advancing toward it, not retreating away from it.

In my ministry, I meet so many different people who are struggling with fear in all its varied forms. There are widows, for example, who feel so alone since they lost their husbands. Typically, these ladies have so many fears—the fear of being alone, the fear of the future, financial insecurity, health issues, and other real threats they face on a daily basis. Losing a spouse brings up many fears, both realized and hidden.

My heart goes out to them, and I try to let each one know that they are not alone. I share Scriptures with them, showing that Jesus is with them, and He promised to never leave or forsake them. I’ve discovered that there are passages in the Bible that give God’s answers to every fear that exists to humanity. I try to encourage God’s children by speaking His words of comfort to them, such as, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” This assurance of God’s presence enables us to say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Heb. 13:5-6). And in the Gospel of John Jesus said, “I am not alone, because the Father is with Me” (John 16:32). And the same is true for us. This is a solid answer that we must stand on if we are going to defeat fear.

Here are some other specific Scriptures that speak to common fears:

• The fear of uncertainty—“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride” (Ps. 42:1-3).
• The fear of losing everything—“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).
• The fear of death—“I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26).
• The fear of the devil—“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you” (Luke 10:19).
• The fear of failure—“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
• For every fear we may face—“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

Beloved, in these Scriptures and so many more throughout the Bible we find the revelation and strength we need from God’s Word to overcome fear. He wants us to believe His promises, and walk in them every day of our lives. As we do this, the devil and his fears will be put to flight. We don’t have to suffer from fear any longer.

The Lord says, “Seize My Word and don’t let anything else in.” As we discipline ourselves to seize God’s Word, not letting anything else in, we will become free!

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, you can read a free preview of my book Do Not Be Afraid here: Free Preview or get the book on Amazon here: Buy on Amazon

Have a Comment or Question? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.

Because of family issues and my faith in Jesus, I was eventually thrown out of my house. Comfort was brought to my heart as I read the words of Yeshua Hamashiach from the Gospel of Mark, “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for Me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age…and in the age to come, eternal life” (Mark 10:29-30 NIV).

That promise was for me.

I am also comforted as I read these words from Jesus:

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12 NIV).

My faith in Yeshua has caused and continues to cause divisions and separation between family members and me. For example, when my niece had her bat mitzvah, I was not even invited to participate in the ceremony with the rest of the family. Though this hurt me, it really wasn’t surprising to me, because I knew from the Scriptures that the world would hate me simply because I took a stand for Jesus. Jesus said, “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue” (John 16:2).

Stand Fast in Your Faith

Since receiving the supernatural vision of Jesus, I have faced (and withstood) significant rejection and hostility from my family and from the Jewish community in general, but my faith has remained strong. We must consider it a privilege and an honor when we are persecuted and rejected for the sake of Jesus. Though it is sometimes hard and painful to experience these breaks with family and friends, it is also a joy because God’s presence becomes very near to us during these times.

Do Not Fear Man

The reason I’m telling you this is because many are in bondage to the fear of man. They are afraid to witness for God, to stand out, to speak up, and are controlled by their fear of being rejected by people. The Bible says that the fear of man is a snare (Prov. 29:25). The fear of man will definitely keep us from God. If I would have been controlled by a desire to be accepted and liked by my Jewish community, I would have never been able to continue on with Jesus. Many have fallen short from entering in to all that God has for them because of their fear of man. Their desire to be accepted and liked by humankind is greater than their desire to pursue God.

Jesus asked, “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only God?” (John 5:44). If we are to fully lay hold of God, we must not allow our desire to be liked and accepted by others, or our fear of being persecuted or rejected, keep us from fully following Jesus. God will strengthen us in the midst of all persecution and trials.

If you’re interested in learning more about this topic, you can read a free preview of my book Do Not Be Afraid here: Free Preview or get the book on Amazon here: Buy on Amazon

Have a Comment or Question? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter.