THE ANATOMY OF FEAR Part 3
In a previous talk I stated that humanity’s First Encounter with Fear was with Adam in the garden of Eden; his peaceful, quiet, loving home.
But one day all that changed. He became traumatized by Fear. Wonder what brought about that change? Why was he so afraid? And of what?
The answers to these questions will reveal some really important clues about the spirit of Fear and how we can overcome it. #CheatCodes
So, let’s begin, back in the beginning, in the book of Genesis.
· When Adam was created / started following / began believing / God, he was very confident and secure, he had no identity issues.
· He knew God, and God knew him. They believed in one another.
· He trusted/had faith that God would provide everything; God did.
· Adam did everything that God required of him, without hesitation.
So far, so good, right. No sign of fear anywhere in sight!
· One day, God noticed that something was missing in Adam’s life. ***Busy & Productive doesn’t mean Happy and Fulfilled
· God saw that Adam needed a relationship, someone that he could commune with, and care for, just like God had done with him.
· So, God & Co. provided a woman for him who shared his passion.
· Adam felt complete; he lacked nothing. He had his God, a valued relationship in his wife, and he had an assignment / not just a job.
Why does it seem like, when things are going well, here comes trouble?
What we call trouble; God calls a test. Not a test of us, but of our faith.
You don’t want anything that’s not tested; chair, car, food, relationship.
Enter the serpent. (the temper/the tester)
Interesting note about the serpent; out of all the wild animals in the garden, he was the only one that tried to appear friendly. Can we talk?
Note to self; When folks want to talk to you, who don’t normally want to talk to you, be watchful! Not scared, but discerning.
This is when things changed. This is when Adam changed! This one experience would teach him at least 100 of the 600+ known fears.
Let’s see how this exchange with the serpent/fear contaminated him.
· Fear made Adam doubt God, his word and his character
- Is God trustworthy? What if he’s lying? How would I know?
- A liar will always suggest that someone else is lying, not them.
- Adam went from trusting in God, to trusting only in himself.
· Fear fractured Adam’s relationships/it broke covenants
- Fear challenged Adam’s security by talking to Eve, not him.
- Adam did not speak up for his God, his faith, nor his wife.
- Fear hates accountability; it’s always someone else’s fault
· Fear destroyed Adam’s security
- He no longer felt comfortable around God.
- 1 Timothy 2:14 says it was Adam who was deceived not Eve.
- Adam brought on the separation, he committed the sin
Here are a few key lessons learned from Adam’s experience:
· Breaking covenant with God leads to fear and being afraid
· He no longer felt covered, he said he was naked and afraid
· He was always naked naturally, but now he was spiritually too
· Fear caused him to hide his uniqueness. Cover up his true self
· Fear limits your vision. When you hide you can’t see everything
· Adam tried to substitute God’s presence in his life.
· He used leaves; like a job, a relationship, objects, stuff, degrees, title’s etc. trying to replace his relationship with God.
· His sin was his separation which led to shame that led to more sin.
· Sin is anything that separates you from God. Spirit of Fear is Sin.
Shame brings on Sin. Sin is Separation Anxiety. Shame will keep you from returning to God. Shame Lies! Shame torments! Shame is Fear.
The spirit of Fear can only appear where Gods Spirit is not present
Remember, the bigger the lie, the bigger the fear. Let’s look at the lies.
The 1st thing the serpent/fear does is question what you believe about God. Do you think God really cares about YOU?
God isn’t providing for you; there’s all this food and yet you can’t eat!
Fear and Lies go together! God is not the author of confusion.
Eve told the serpent, that Adam told her, that God told him. Confusion!
Then she lied, God said don’t eat from the trees in the middle of the garden. If you even look at them or touch them, then you will die right there on the spot! Lie, lie, lie.
The serpent/fear won’t always directly discredit God; he told Eve knowing that Adam was listening. It’s not always what someone says directly to you, it might be what someone tells you someone else said.
Adam was present but silent, which is far worse!
To overcome the spirit of Fear you must speak back to it. Defend your faith, defend your peace, defend your God. Put on your full armor!
Call the serpent a liar! Let him know I BELIEVE GOD!
God wants us to live in His security; the enemy wants us to live in his insecurity!
But just like he did with Adam, God is asking where are you? Where are you, Son? Where are you, Daughter?
He’s asking us to come out of hiding, come out of Fear, take those fake leaves off. Trust me, I will cover you!
God is not calling us out; he’s calling us closer; he’s calling us back to Him!
This is a Thompson Truth
