What a start to the year. The enemy has amplified the voice of fear. I have good news!
Will you have ears to hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying, or will you lend your ears to fear?
There is a huge “Difference between the voice of fear and the voice of wisdom?” These have two opposite objectives. Fear’s objective to STOP, immobilise and confuse you. Wisdom’s objective is to GUIDE, bring momentum as well as clarity to you despite circumstances even though they seem daunting and hopeless.
We need to be careful of mixing the two up in our lives. Sometimes we can have fear in us and we disguise our decisions or lack of and call it wisdom. Likewise, sometimes we can call wisdom fear because the outworking seems slow, or an alternative pathway to move forward towards our goals and objectives. Often this pathway seems to zigzag and not be straight plus from the outside appears like a withdraw.
A great example of wisdom is found in scripture where Solomon asks God for wisdom.
“At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart (i.e. Wisdom) to judge Your people,
that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.
1 Kings 3:5, 9, 11-12 (NKJV)
Solomon asked for Godly Wisdom! The type that can only come from God. What does this type of wisdom do for you? The scripture mentions it brings two things;
1 Understanding.
2 Discernment (Heavenly Perception).
Understanding will give you supernatural insight and clarity into situations helping you make the right decisions despite the severity of the circumstance. It will also help you in hearing what the Spirit of God is saying at a specific time or about a specific issue because you know and understand His character, as well as the Fathers heart.
Discernment or heavenly perception if you like, will help you determine what is good or evil, right or wrong as well as if it’s a yes or a no.
Despite the circumstance’s wisdom helps guide you moving you forward and through situations and circumstances. COVID and this pandemic is no different. It has not caught God off guard nor too big for Him.
The spirit of isdom comes from God and can come to you through the Holy Spirit, a sense of knowing or even a word of wisdom through someone else to you.
The thing with wisdom, it will leave you with a sense of peace, clarity, and knowing God has got this and you are on the right track.
James 1:5 says that we are to ask for wisdom and God will give it to us.
Fear is mentioned so many times throughout scripture. The phrases “Fear not” and “do not be afraid” are collectively mentioned around +-340 times. God had to continuously remind HIs people not to be afraid.
Faith is God’s mode of operation into the supernatural. Fear is satan’s mode to gain access into our lives because he knows faith pleases God and God expects His people to operate by faith not fear!
No wonder why satan has used the media and governments of the world to release a spirit of fear upon the world using COVID as a focal point causing, anxiety, stress, worry and fear. Fear is a very real thing. Most people will deal with some kind of fear in their lives. Fear of failure, fear of poverty, fear of criticism, fear of losing loved ones, fear of old age, fear of death; and even fear of sickness. Yes, fear of germs, virus and the great “Elephant in the World” – COVID!
We can learn from Job in this instance. The thing Job feared came upon Him. To not fear something doesn’t mean we need to be negligent nor foolish or arrogant. It means use wisdom but trust in God for protection.
“For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.” Job 3:25 NKJV
Job was “continually” offering sacrifices for his children. This was a sign of fear at work in Job’s life. Despite what opened the door for satan to access Jobs life God is clear about how He feels about faith. If faith pleases God according to Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it’s impossible to please God” as well as other portions of scripture that mention the just shall live by faith.
Then it would be true to say that fear displeases God and empowers satan giving him access to our lives as well as our faith being short circuited due to unbelief and anxiety.
Remember God allows trials to strengthen our faith in Him. Satan uses fear to destroy our faith in God.
The spirit of fear is from satan himself. It will leave you feeling uneasy, disturbed, anxious, stressed out and even hopeless and powerless.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Wisdom of God & fear of satan cannot be mixed up… There is only one time fear and wisdom are of God. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Wisdom brings life, blessing, honour as well as the favour of God. Foolishness and fear bring death, disgrace, and poverty. The fear of the Lord is where wisdom begins. In other words when we as believers have an awareness of GOD’S HOLINESS, an amazement of who HE IS and what He actually has done as well as truly respect Him, His Word, His House, His Spirit and His Kingdom, His Wisdom begins to flow in and through us supernaturally.
A “reverential fear of the Lord” helps us understand who God truly is, which inspires us to; love Him, obey Him (His Word), and serve Him all the days of our lives. Let us come back to a true heart of worship and worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. Let us put His Word in first place, ask for wisdom, and believe for it to flow in all areas of your life. Shut down the voices of fear around you.