February 18, 2023
Why don't deliverance ministries talk much about the spirit of fear? I’m not talking about the obviously demonic phobias. I’m talking about every day, garden variety fear.
Maybe I'm not listening enough, but I hear much about the spirit of rejection, the spirit of infirmity, the spirit of python (I still don't really know that that is) . . . But the Word clearly states that there is such a thing, that it is a spirit, and that it does not come from the Lord. (2 Timothy 1:7). And, the Word contrasts that spirit with not only with power and a sound mind, but with LOVE.
Last night at Bible study, we discussed the meaning of "cast[ing] out" a demon (Matthew 12:28), and how it is different from when a demon "goes out" (Matthew 12:43). When a demon is cast out [Strong's 1544, ekballo], it is thrown out, banished, "with the included notion of more or less violence." When a demon goes out [Strong's 1831, exerchomai], it has an open door.
So, just like Vlad Savchuk says, the latter demon has not been evicted by force in the name of Jesus and the door slammed shut in its face. That's why it can come back with seven of its friends, and the state of the person is worse than before his deliverance.
But here's the thing about fear: the words used in 1 John 4:18, which states that perfect love casts out fear, are "exo," and "ballo," which together form the same concept as "cast out" (“ekballo”), the word Jesus uses for casting out demons in Matthew 12:28.
So do not tolerate fear. PERFECT (MATURE) LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR LIKE THE DEMON THAT IT IS.
This revelation is convicting, but such a GIFT to me. I've tolerated so much fear lately. It partnered with the self-preservation principle that is alive and well in my flesh. Give it an inch, and it will take consume the whole mile. Give it a bite, and it will devour the whole pie. I’m also seeing that it travels with a comrade called “divination,” which appears to predict the future, every time in the darkest light.
FEAR IS NOT TO BE TOLERATED. Every thought must be held up to the light of the Lord, and anything that does not match that light must be torn down and taken captive with punishing obedience to Christ. I'm so grateful for the correction of the Lord.
"But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." - Matthew 12:28
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. Fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. - 1 John 4:18
for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:7
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. - 1 John 1:5