Live by faith, not by fear

Are you living in fear? I am concerned that in this day many people are living in fear instead of by faith. Here are four verses that command to not fear.

•Exodus 14:13- And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

• Deuteronomy 3:22- Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.

• Joshua 10:8- And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.

• 2 Timothy 1:7- For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

If you realize this is a struggle here are five ideas to be bold and not fearful.

1. Read the Bible every day- This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. (Psalm 119:50)

2. Think about who is God and how he protects you- “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

3. Find another that you can draw encouragement from- “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

4. Fear the one that really has the power- “And feare not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soule: but rather feare him which is able to destroy both soule and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)

5. Choose to not live by what you see and feel, but the truth of God- “For we walk by faith, not by sight:” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

6. One bonus point is turn off whatever you are watching that is feeding fear (news, movies etc.). If you watch the news all of the time, you will be living in fear.

Finally, make sure you are saved. A lot of people are not saved and do not have the secure relationship with God. A person gets saved or becomes a true Christian by trusting or believing in Jesus Christ.

John 3:36 explains, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

Don’t forget that this Sunday is the continuation of the Bible course called “End Times 101.” Come to First Baptist Church (1101 N. Main) to learn more this Sunday at 6 pm (fbcsikesotn.org).

If you have a question you would like answered for future columns email mathewvroman@gmail.com