Tearing Down Strongholds: Worry, Fear and Doubt
Shutting the Mouths of Lions
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” -1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)
Are you facing regular or even constant worry, doubts and fear? Are you a worrier that worries about most things? Are you doubtful that the Lord will not see you through things by His strength? Are you fearful of the future? As a Christian, it’s time to seriously consider the cause behind these worries. I firmly believe they are strongholds (2 Cor 10:3-5) set up against you by the enemy of your soul – Satan. He knows that if he can keep you worried, fearful and in constant doubt then he’s in effect neutralized your faith. He’s got you spiritually off-guard, unbalanced and rendered ineffective. When this happens (I speak from experience) you feel down, depressed, useless, on edge and your testimony and witness for Christ takes a nose dive. Satan laughs at you as he sets up these strongholds because he knows they will defeat you and cause you not to pray and seek the Lord.
Consider Daniel in the lion’s den – Daniel 6:4-28. Daniel believed God yet still prayed knowing the decree from King Darius. The King had to honor his own decree so he put Daniel in the lions den. You’ve got to believe that those lions were starved for days beforehand. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob shut the mouth of those lions so they would not hurt or even touch Daniel. God can do the same for you if you do not doubt, do not fear and have faith! He can shut the mouths of the lions of doubt roaring through your mind to get you to disbelieve the Lord’s promises and His power and strength.
My friend it is time to take a stand against these attacks for that’s what they are and quench the fiery darts of the enemy of your soul and shutting the mouth of lions. We are urged daily to put on the full armor of God (Eph 6): Helmet of Salvation, Breastplate of Righteousness, Belt of truth, Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel, Sword of the Spirit (Word of God) and the Shield of faith. These are our armaments against his unruly and sometimes relentless sieges. We must don them daily and never miss one. Start everyday with prayer and the reading of His word. If you don’t have time … make the time. Get up earlier; go to bed earlier. Folks as the timeline progress towards Christ’s return the days will get very dark with wickedness and lawlessness (sin) abounding. Please take what I am saying here seriously.
Consider also that worrying, fear and doubt are sins before the Lord:
- Matt 6:25-34 – Don’t worry about worldly things
- Rom 14:23 – Anything not of faith is sin
- Heb 11:6 – it’s impossible to please God without faith
- James 1:6-8 – Ask in faith with no doubt … do not be double-minded (certain and also of doubt)
- Rev 21:8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving … shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Read the story of Elisha and his servant Gehazi in 2 Kings 6 and examine the odds they faced. Look at how Gehazi only looked at the problem through his physical eyesight. Then see how Elisha prayed and asked that Gehazi’s eyes would be spiritually opened. The Lord answered his prayer – what an assurance of protection was viewed. Take a look.
Satan fires his arrows of doubt, worry, and fear at us constantly seeing who he can trip up. We read in 1 Peter 5:8, that he prowls around roaring like a lion seeking whom he can devour. Beloved, don’t give in to him! Tear down his strongholds in your life – resist him (James 4:7) and fight back with prayer, fasting (if you can), reading God’s word, praise and worship and then more prayer. Bathe everything in your life in prayer – sincere with no distractions. Immerse yourself in God’s word and learn as much as you can about Him. Do this today … don’t put it off for another day as tomorrow may never come.
No matter how bad things look in your life, do not worry, do not fear and do not doubt. Remember, God knows that we do these things but He also wants us to come to Him and seek His face so He can help us overcome in the power and might of His Name. Know for certain that you are a child of the Living God and have been given power and authority to trample Satan’s schemes, deceptions and lies (Luke 10:19-20). Start walking today by faith and not by sight -2 Cor 5:7
-BPWatcher
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