We all have fear of something. We fear loss-job, family, money marriage. We fear the future, we fear the unknown. Because we react to that fear, we respond in some way to control it. According to PASTOR JOHN COLLINS, while preaching at BRINGING BACK GOD in BRISTOL and MARIETTA, “Fear is a sign of the enemy, it triggers a sense of self protection, which creates a web of pride. The real truth is, elevated proud people don’t take responsibility for their own problems. Instead they put you in fear to their advantage. When you’re elevated in yourself, without even knowing it you are under the influence of a spirit of fear and a spirit of lying. Unconsciously you will intimidate and manipulate others to protect your position. The person will sense this intimidation and manipulation (often sub-consciously) and begin to fear what you think of them or get annoyed that you are using them instead of taking their own responsibility, thus becoming trapped in the web of pride. You could argue that the recipient is innocent but, the real truth is that they are proud too.
The issue isn’t what people are doing to you; it’s principalities and powers that oppress you.When someone tries to put fear on you or manipulate you, know that you are being attacked by a spirit of fear, and when you succumb to a spirit of fear, know that you have stepped out of the love of the Father. It’s not wrong to feel fear, it’s wrong to surrender to it.
Don’t react to the fear; let it drive you to faith. Love suffers the fear attack trusting God’s outcome; pride tries not to have fear, and love stops and recognizes where the attack is really coming from. Paul had a thorn in the flesh: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
The answer to being intimidated and being manipulated and being fearful is to accept God’s strategy of the thorn in the flesh. Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to buffet him incessantly. He wanted it to go away but God knows the pride of man so He’s strategy was to leave it in place to keep him humble so he wouldn’t lose his salvation.” Don’t give in to fear, intimidation and manipulation. Let Christ handle it for you. That is when you will be your strongest.
Go to www.blogtalkradio.com/pastorjohncollins to hear more sermons by PASTOR JOHN COLLINS. You can view his sermons on YouTube. To see what is going on with the church, BRINGING BACK GOD, visit www.bringingbackgod.com. Need fellowship or to talk to someone? You can reach PASTOR JOHN COLLINS by email at bringingbackgod@outlook.com.
God bless you.
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