Integrity- People of God

All of our lives we have been taught to fear. Fear and shame were the first emotion of fallen mankind shown when Adam hid himself in the garden, he said it was because he was afraid. We were created to rule and reign on the earth in God’s likeness, in His authority and strength. This is why every human being has in them the innate and inherent desire to be free to create and fulfill their destiny calling and purpose. Because of disobedience and sin with the fall many people are afraid or do not recognize their created value and purpose. Fear and shame are tools the enemy and this fallen world system uses against humanity to try to keep them from fulfilling their God ordained purpose and calling to reflect His image.

Genesis 3:10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. NKJ

Fear, discrimination and prejudices have caused many people to limit their dreams and expectations for themselves and their families but the godlikeness that was created in them remains. God made everyone unique in their design and the method of fulfilling their God given vocation and goals. Their created purpose, which is to replenish the earth with God’s glory and likeness through the knowledge of Him and His love that is to be shown to the world.

Fear is the common and default nature of mankind and it appears to be a normal act to be afraid when faced with situations that are a threat to ourselves, family or finances. Faith is the supernatural response to problem situations and God has called us to stand in faith and not fear. Fear comes in the face of threats that speak of an intent to inflict pain, injury, damage or to do other hostile actions against a person or their loved ones. Many people feel justified in their failure to take the appropriateaction because of fear and the anticipation of something hurtful may happen in the future.   Fear of what may happen in the future sometimes paralyzes people and keep them from responding correctly in the present. It is their justification for them not taking the proper action when called upon. It has been said that fear is, false evidence appearing real which is only a lie and Satan is the father of lies. 

Fear and doubt cause a sense of helplessness in those who were created in God’s image which is a perversion of their created purpose, which is to have dominion and reign over their circumstance and to reflect His love.  Fear is the evidence of distrust or disbelief in God and His word that He would be able to save, protect or provide for them or their family. Doubt and deception were the weapons used by Satan, which caused Eve to be tricked into disobeying God saying, “did God really say…” When the seed of doubt is planted and remains in the heart fear is the fruit that will be produced causing people to distrust God. 

Genesis 3:1.4 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” …

Then then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. NKJ

When Satan came to test Jesus he questioned the very wordsthat God had said about Jesus.  Satan challenged Jesus, asking if You are the Son of God then… and Jesus’ only response was, “It is written…” It is the written word of God that overcomes the tricks and schemes of the enemy but some people do not know the word of God well enough to be able to respond andwill thereby fall in that trap of fear and doubt. 

The enemy and the world are always trying to cause fear and doubt in our minds as to who we are but we were created in the image of God and are the children of God. Some will take the word of God and twist it to try and trick people into obtaining their needs, wants and desires in the wrong way.  This worldwill bring up our past or our present failures to get us to focus on our disasters and lack, but God has justified us through the blood of Jesus. Though we may not be perfect, we are children of the Most-High King and we are a work in progress.  

Matthew 3:17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, say, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” NKJ

Luke 4:3 And the devil said to Him, “if You are the Son of God, command this stone to become beard. 

Galatians 3:29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. NKJ

Abraham is called the father of faith because he trusted God with his most treasured possession, the life of his son.  Some people may trust and respect God to give their life to Him, but few are able to trust Him their future and loved ones. Some may marvel that God would ask such a thing of Abraham and even more that Abraham was willing to trust God with the life of his son. It is a natural instinct of a parent to protect their child but in Christ we must rise to the supernatural love for God that rises above all else. This is why the word says we must die to self and the love for God is above everything else. If not, and if we place anything in the place of God the enemy will try to use our loved ones to usurp God’s authority and trick us to disobey God. We can do this in the same way Abraham and Jesus withstood their test of faith and that was by knowing God’s word on the matter and to trust in His love for us and our family. 

God had promised Abraham that the blessing of the whole world would come through Isaac and his seed. When God askedAbraham to offer up Isaac as a burnt offering, Abraham had to stand on the promise of God that Isaac would bear children.  Abraham trusted in the love of God and the promise that Isaac, not having any children at the time, that He would fulfill His promise through Isaac. Abraham trusted the faithfulness and love of God who provided him with Isaac and that He would provide again. 

Genesis 21:12 But God said to Abraham…….., for in Isaac your seed shall be called.

Genesis 22:18 In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice. 

Numbers 23:19a “God is not a man, that He should lie….

A question for us now is can we trust God with our loved ones, even though it may appear as though they are lost or may be removed from us? Can we trust God’s love and His promises to keep our family safe? The challenge is, will we take matters into our own hands trusting what we can do to protect and keep them safe or will we trust God with the situation?

Jesus spoke to the people of spiritual things, when He told them that He was the bread of life and they must eat His body and drink His blood. It was hard for the people to receive in the natural mind because of their lack of spiritual discernment. By the power of the Holy Spirit and through belief in His word we can receive spiritual insight and discernment. 

John 6:60 Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? KJV

The spiritual test is the supernatural love of God and the natural love of mankind, whether we will trust God or ourselves for our family. It is a hard thing and not many can hear it because God’s ways are not mankind’s ways. This life will forever be testing us to see if we trust God’s love with our lives, our families and our future. We must learn the truth of God’s word to see things from a spiritual and kingdom perspective in order to discern truth and walk in faith, rather than believing false lies that may appear real.

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

Ephesians 1:7-9 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself. NKJ

While fear is a natural response, we do not entertain it or focus on it we are to resist it by thinking on the word and the promises of God and submitting to His truths.

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. NKJ   

FEAR

False 

Evidence

Appearing

Real