Fear binds the soul of man like no other just as faith strengthens us and promotes well-being in our souls. In addition, just as faith is the vehicle that releases power in our midst so that the forces of heaven works with us, fear attracts the powers of hell to bind us and destroy us. It is written that Jesus came to set the captives free, that He was sent in order to “render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives” (Hebrews 2:14-15). This fear causes everyone to be either successful all their lives or become cowards, unable to shake their fears and move forward to become what they are.

Jesus came so that everyone who believes and have faith will not need to be slaves of the devil. Just as faith starts as a seed, as small as the mustard seed, even fear starts the same and when allowed to work its way through our hearts, it will bind us. Predatory animals exploit the fear of their prey when they anxiously run away and chase them to death. Likewise fear gives power to the “dogs” of our souls.

David wrote, “For dogs have surrounded me; A band of evildoers has encompassed me” (Psalm 22:16), attesting to the demonic powers of hell to “bark” and impart paralyzing fear to every man on earth. But take heart, because Jesus has come and rendered the devil powerless, “He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:15). He was specifically sent to destroy the works of the devil, “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Just as there are different levels of faith and authorities in the Kingdom of God, there are also different levels in the realm of the demonic. At personal levels, demons are spirit beings sent from hell to bring oppression and complete possession of the soul of man until it is indistinguishable in nature and characteristic from the devil. Because the realm of the spirit works either through faith or fear, believers in the Lord had the greatest power in their hands to either impart faith and peace in their midst or fear to others.

Studies on doctors who speak life and peace to their patients find substantial healing and a greater number of sick patients healed of cancer, mental disease and emotional disturbance. Hope through faith brings great stability just as the Word of God says that it is the “anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19), that is “steadfast and sure that enters the veil” or in other words pierces the veil of darkness and brings breakthrough. Paul speaks of the different realms of the demonic, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against  principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). There are principalities or demonic princes that rule over a province or region, there are also demonic rulers that rule over entire countries or continents while there are personal demons that try to completely control the lives of people and bring them to obey the devil. Even so, it is written that we will be victorious to the degree that we abide to the One who has conquered all and prevailed over the devil.

How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee, before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Psalm 33:18-19

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. Psalm 34:7

O fear the LORD, you His saints; for to those who fear Him, there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; but they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 34:9-10

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. Psalm 103:11

Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:13

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. Psalm 145:19

The LORD favors those who fear Him, those who wait for His lovingkindness. Psalm 147:11

The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be shortened. Proverbs 10:27

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may avoid the snares of death. Proverbs 14:26-27

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

“Whatever is not from faith is sin.”Romans 14:23

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” I John 4:18

The foundation of victory

As we have been discussing previously, fear binds the soul of man much like the jaws of a predatory animal clasps the flesh of its prey. Previously, we said that there is nothing to fear, except to fear God Himself because He is the Lord Almighty who holds the hearts of kings like water and turns it wherever He wants (Proverb 21:1). We also said that faith is counter to fear and this is held by the peace of God in our hearts. I want us to take a closer look on this fruit of the Spirit that keeps everyone of the fruit of the Spirit intact. Because the Kingdom of darkness works through the principles of ignorance, envy, hatred, and murder, the faith of man in God is the greatest measure of his success of abiding in peace and love. One cannot really love His neighbor without peace between them because the Kingdom of God is built on the foundations of righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14) and love is its bond.

When one walks in fear, fear keeps us anxious about everything from future insecurity to present incompatibility. This too is the reason why Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.  “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

At the time, John the Baptist was imprisoned and about to be beheaded, yet the Lord gave this comfort to his disciples, that they who are suffering, depressed, lonely and downtrodden should not give in to fear, but take heart, and bring this yoke of bondage to the Lord so that He will carry this for you. Again, we are told by Peter who echoed the same words to us, ^“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you”(1 Peter 5:6-7). There are many people in this world who are hurting and yet they want to carry their burdens more than giving it to Christ who wants to carry it for them.

Cast your cares away

This is pride of the greatest measure, that we think we can do it alone without needing God all the way. This is why Peter exhorts us that we must humble ourselves so that He may deliver us at the proper time, and the first step to do this is to cast our anxieties to Him. Have you encountered any debilitating illness in the past weeks? Or have you had arguments with your spouse that continue to beset you? Or did you fail to obey God in one area in your life that continues to bear on your conscience? All these are just examples of problems, troubles and sins that we must learn to bring to Christ because He can carry them for us. The Lord cares for us. He cares for even the most mundane things that we desire, because He is our Father who looks to us as His children.

As a father myself, it won’t do me any good to see my children in bondage to any form of irrational fears or illicit relationships or on vices. I would even exchange all that I have for them to be set free. The Lord tells us the same, “Or what man is there of you, if his son asks him for a loaf of bread, will hand him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will hand him a serpent? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and  advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and  advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!” (Matthew  7:9-11 AMP). Be free! Yield to God and employ the help of others in areas you are failing continuously. Deliverance from bondage can happen overnight or even at the blink of an eye but some sinful habits that have been entrenched for years can only be done away layer by layer.

At times you will still stumble on it. To be free, our vision is to be set on Jesus, the perfect and victorious One. Just as we have this vision of Him, one does not become like Jesus instantly, there is a narrow path to follow with ditches on its side that only the humble and the contrite will follow. We will be victorious to the extent that we continue to draw nearer and come before His throne of grace everyday to receive help for the things we need to do.