Fear: The Springboard to Oppression 

Fear is an insidious virus. Given a breeding place in our minds, it will permeate the whole body of our work; it will eat away our spirit and block the forward path of our endeavors. —James F. Bell

Many leaders in the body of Christ agree that a terrible demonic fear is now being unleashed on the world. Jesus said it would be so: “Men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26 ). The fear of which He spoke is the kind that saps the courage and blinds the eye of faith. It is demonic in origin, but also becomes a condition of heart. Everywhere one looks he sees things that strengthen fear. There is the constant threat of terrorism, new drug-resistant strains of disease, water and food shortages, gang violence spreading throughout our cities, and the catastrophic effects of global warming. These things threaten us on a national or international scale! But then there are those gripping concerns that face us on much more personal levels: things like the fear of aging, the concern for an adequate retirement, the ominous future our children will face, etc. Frank Crane called fear “the great black plague.” It cloaks the soul with blindness to the opportunities of the future.

Fear Stinks

We have discovered that fear puts off an odor in the spirit realm. Just as rotten meat spikes the atmosphere with an odor that attracts swarms of flies, so the spiritual force of fear lodged in the heart of a man or woman puts off an odor that attracts demon powers. And when they come, they set about to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10 ).

Fear is also the springboard to oppression! The force of fear actually catapults one into a pool of despair, defeat and failure. Perhaps this is why David prayed: “Hear my voice, O God…[and] preserve my life from fear of the enemy” (Psalm 64:1). This warrior did not ask to be delivered from the enemy, but from fear of the enemy! There is a big difference. He knew that if he could handle the force of fear when it slammed into his life, he would be able to handle anything else that challenged him! The same holds true for you and me. If we can handle fear, and the enemy will be of little significance. If we can drive away the fear, a miraculous life will flow more easily.

Isaiah wrote, “You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear!” (54:14). Oppression is of the devil, plain and simple, and fear both feeds and enables it. In my own life, I have found that I can keep oppression at bay if I can deal with the force of fear. But if I yield to the fear (be it a demon or a condition of heart), I will succumb to oppression.

James F. Bell, whom I quoted at the outset of this article, also said, “Fear is met and destroyed with courage.” Indeed, courage is the antidote to fear. But how does one find fear-demolishing courage?

1. Take No Counsel of Your Fears, But of the Word of God!

For years I have maintained that if one can only hold to God's perspective as he faces the enemy, he will maintain the victory. Nothing helps the believer maintain the right perspective amidst life's struggles like the written Word of God. Faith comes by hearing (reading, meditating and confessing) the Word of the Lord. The faith that comes “by hearing” is essential for keeping the right perspective while in the din of battle.

Keep Your Head

When king Saul and his sons were killed on Mount Gilboa , the Philistines “cut off their heads, and stripped off their armor” (1 Samuel 31:9). One day as I read this verse, the Lord said, “If the devil can't get your head, he can't get your armor!” The truth this statement conveys also declares that if Satan can't get your armor, he cannot defeat you! But keeping the head is very crucial!

The head represents several things.

First, it speaks of a working knowledge of the Scriptures. Jesus said, “You do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God” (Matthew 22:29 ). If we do not get to know the Scriptures as a relevant force in our lives, we will not experience the power of God. The two go hand in glove.

Second, the head speaks of a proper attitude toward oneself, other people, and toward life in general. If your attitude toward life, and the people who make up life (including yourself), is one of disgust, dissatisfaction, and negativism, then your head is compromised—and so is your armor.

An old axiom says, “We have met the enemy, and the enemy is us.” And as T. D. Jakes often says, “It's the enemy with-in-a-me that's the problem.” Beloved, it all has to do with gaining and maintaining a right mental attitude toward life, and the people who fill our life. By this we will keep our heads.

In flight, the laws of aerodynamics reveal that a jet's attitude will determine its altitude. If its attitude is elevated, the jet will ascend into the sky more quickly and to greater heights than if its attitude is set at a low angle. People are like jets. If they fly into life with their nose down all the time, with a negative opinion about every one and everything they encounter, they will crash, being that they are without God's perspective and His accompanying favor. The spirit of fear will have a heyday in the lives of such people. But if they approach life with an optimistic and elevated attitude; one of faith and anticipation for the blessings of God, they will both be blessed and be a blessing all their days on earth.

Thirdly, the head speaks of composure amidst life's trails, which depends largely on gaining and maintaining God's perspective concerning things related to life and death. Some people see severe trials and crumble beneath the weight of fear and anxiety. Others see trials in light of eternal truths found in the Word, and face the future with confidence. Fear cannot long stand before the withering gaze of a living faith! I love the saying, “Fear knocked at the door; faith answered, and there was no one there.”

2. Run Toward Your Fears!

Never slink away from your fears, but rather boldly confront them. When the boisterous giant of Gath threatened David, the sling-wielding lad “hastened toward him,” declaring, “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from your shoulders!” Where did David get such confidence? Where did a seventeen-year-old lad, who had never tasted battle, acquire such tenacity? He got it in solitary places with the Lord. As a faithful son, watching over his father's flocks, he turned wilderness solitude into a sanctuary of praise and prayer! Rather than begrudge his dad for making him watch the flocks, David used the opportunity to strengthen his communion with God. Out of solitude and obscurity—spent correctly, and with the right attitude—a giant slayer was born! And notice how David ran to the battle! He not only did something aggressive, but he also said something aggressive!

Some might say, “O, I wouldn't want to say anything aggressive to the fear that confronts me! I wouldn't want to anger the devil!”

Nonsense! Fear has been shouting into your ears relentlessly and incessantly, so why not begin to shout right back! Put the Word of God in your heart and begin using it in verbal warfare with Satan. Your fears can be overcome if you deal with them properly. Face your fear and begin to fight! Be like General Ulysses S. Grant, who when facing Lee near Richmond , declared, “I propose to fight it out on this line if it takes all summer!” When the devil sees that you are determined to stand for a million years if you have to, you won't have to stand for very long! You see, beloved, the spirit of fear knows it cannot whip the Word of God. It also knows that it cannot whip you if you are on the Word of God. But it is convinced that it can get you off of the Word, and thereby whip you. Show it that it can't do that! Prove to the spirit of fear that you are there for the duration of the battle by standing on the Word of God!

Courage Prevails!

Again and again, throughout history, when the struggle seemed hopeless and all opportunity seemed lost—some man or woman with courage brought victory. Beloved, that man or woman can be you! Indeed, it should be you! Begin to view your battles as opportunities to prove that God is faithful. When fear assails you, use the occasion to rise up courageously and play the man. Beat down your spiritual foes in the power of His might! “You are strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power!” (Colossians 1:11). That's what the Word says!

Are you beset by the fear of sickness? Face it down with a renewed and bold confession of healing Scriptures! Call those things that are not as though they were! Faith will bring the unseen blessing into the natural arena of things.

Are you harassed by the fear of death? Face it down with God's promises of a long and productive life! (See Psalm 91:16; 92:14-15; Proverbs 3:1-2, 16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27; 1 Peter 3:10.) Begin to proclaim God's promises without fear of denial.

Does a demonic phobia keep you in bondage? Address it in no uncertain terms, and run it from your life! Does a dark room scare you? Then stride right into the darkness in the name of Jesus and loudly declare your deliverance from its unwanted bondage! Does the fear of heights torment you? Then climb to the top of a tower and declare your emancipation! Do something aggressive, do something bold!

If the demon is outside of you, drive it away! If it is inside you, cast it out! Rather than sit in the dark cave of despair, drag your flesh to a place where you can shout, roar, cry and fight your way to victory! Then write to me and tell me how you got the victory.
Let us rejoice with you.