FEAR
December 11, 2020
Prayer: Most gracious Father, I am thankful for the mercy You have shown me. Thank you for new mercies each day. I repent for operating in fear. Please forgive me for my lack of faith. I pray that my faith strengthens and is rooted in the Rock of Ages. I release Your all-consuming fire on every seed of doubt that the enemy has planted in my mind. Let those seeds burn to the root and be removed from my mind. I pray that every righteous seed that has been planted in me, take deep root and flourish like foliage. I want to please you in every way, in Jesus’s name, Amen.
Scripture: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11: 6 NKJV
Fear is a spirit from darkness and is given by the devil. Are you wondering why I called fear a spirit? How do I know that fear is not given to us by God? The answers to these questions are in the Word. It is explained well in 2 Timothy 1:7. According to Psalm 27:1, God is our light and salvation. Where there is light, darkness flees. Light and darkness cannot be in the same location. When you are fully suited in the armor of God (Ephesians 6:13), you are wearing the helmet of salvation. In the natural, a helmet is a tool of protection to safeguard the brain which is needed for us to function. The armor of God is spiritual, which means it is invisible; therefore, the helmet of salvation protects our mind as a natural helmet would protect our brain.
When the devil gives fear, he plants it as thoughts in your mind. That is why the helmet of salvation is a vital piece of armor. It is a weapon to protect your mind! Jesus offers salvation. Salvation is not only fire insurance to save you from going to hell, but it’s a current protection as a helmet from the tormenting spirit of fear. This tormenting spirit is described in 1 John 4:18. I suggest that you pray on the armor of God daily and declare that you have a mind like Christ as it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:16. Gird the loins of your mind as we are advised to in 1 Peter 1:13. Gird means to fasten or prepare. During the time this scripture was written long robes were worn. Before a battle the long robes would be girded, which meant securing or tucking the robe into their belt to avoid tripping. When you gird the loins of your mind, you control your thoughts. By controlling your thoughts, you do not trip and fall into fear or other sins. Control your mind. Fight the negative thoughts which are really snares from the enemy with 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Fight back when the enemy is telling you that you are not doing any good at your school, that you are wasting your time praying for your district, or that you will not see growth in your students. Make all your thoughts obey Christ.
Copyright 2020 Niccori Thomas-Brown. Email [email protected]
If you’ve enjoyed this devotion, Niccori has more topics in her book, Doing All God Has Called You To Do: A Devotion For Novice Teachers. Available for purchase here.