“Your Own Worst Enemy 3”
sound mind. NKJV
1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness
in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear
in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears
has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. NKJV
This week I want to examine fear involving torment. This that feeling we get when we
can’t breathe. Let’s define torment.
Torment: 1 severe physical or mental suffering. 2 a cause of torment. >verb 1 subject
to torment. 2 annoy or tease unkindly. -ORIGIN Latin tormentum 'instrument of torture',
from torquere 'to twist'.
This gives us a basic picture of what’s involved when fear has a hold on you. Many
people have been under the bondage of fear for many years and have learned to cope
or survive in it. This is what the Bible calls a stronghold. It comes about because of a
mindset that basically lines up with a spirit of fear and allows this spirit to rule and reign
in that specific situation. There are many examples I could give you, but today I want to
examine one. Let’s say you grew up in a household that your father may have ruled
with a fist of iron. He may have said “You will never amount to anything!” “You’re
stupid!” “You can’t do anything right!” This scenario might give you a mindset that you
are invaluable and would not have what it takes to succeed at anything. This mindset
coupled with spirit of fear would make you feel like you’re a failure. You probably would
be very insecure when it comes to trying to do anything. This usually would cause
person to be very defensive when someone would to help or encourage them. If this
mindset is not changed, the person will most likely set themselves up for failure. It is all
about how you see when it comes to success or failure. Ask yourself: Do I see myself
as a success or failure? How did you answer and why? Cont……. next week
- By Christopher J. Hardwick
sound mind. NKJV
1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness
in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear
in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears
has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. NKJV
This week I want to examine fear involving torment. This that feeling we get when we
can’t breathe. Let’s define torment.
Torment: 1 severe physical or mental suffering. 2 a cause of torment. >verb 1 subject
to torment. 2 annoy or tease unkindly. -ORIGIN Latin tormentum 'instrument of torture',
from torquere 'to twist'.
This gives us a basic picture of what’s involved when fear has a hold on you. Many
people have been under the bondage of fear for many years and have learned to cope
or survive in it. This is what the Bible calls a stronghold. It comes about because of a
mindset that basically lines up with a spirit of fear and allows this spirit to rule and reign
in that specific situation. There are many examples I could give you, but today I want to
examine one. Let’s say you grew up in a household that your father may have ruled
with a fist of iron. He may have said “You will never amount to anything!” “You’re
stupid!” “You can’t do anything right!” This scenario might give you a mindset that you
are invaluable and would not have what it takes to succeed at anything. This mindset
coupled with spirit of fear would make you feel like you’re a failure. You probably would
be very insecure when it comes to trying to do anything. This usually would cause
person to be very defensive when someone would to help or encourage them. If this
mindset is not changed, the person will most likely set themselves up for failure. It is all
about how you see when it comes to success or failure. Ask yourself: Do I see myself
as a success or failure? How did you answer and why? Cont……. next week
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