"In love there is no fear, but perfect love casts out fear; because fear carries punishment in itself. Where the one who fears, has not been perfected in love. "
1 John 4:18
The people of Israel were in one of the most crucial moments of their lives, they had very fresh memories of the way in which God had brought them out of Egypt, where through the judgments of the ten plagues they had overcome the pride of Pharaoh, besides, the whole nation of Israel saw how the most powerful army in the world was buried under the waters of the Red Sea. From Horeb to Kadesh Barnea, there were only 11 days on foot crossing. (Deuteronomy 1 and 2)
Of the two spies that Moses had sent, ten of them gave a report based on the circumstances and not on the faith and this made all Israel afraid and faint. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who spoke with another spirit trying to instill courage in the town.
To develop a nature of faith, which overcomes fear, we must drink from the right source that is God. The Bible teaches us that He is the author and finisher of the faith, hence the importance of a life of prayer, a life of meditation on the word and a life of action based on obedience that comes from divine instruction.
FEAR CAUSES STRIKES
Fear makes us feel insecure and alone in everything we undertake.
He is a bad counselor and a preacher who speaks negatively to us at every moment.
He is one of the greatest opponents of the spiritual development of Christians who stands in the way of preventing us from continuing in the mission that God has entrusted to us.
It weakens the spirit of conquest by bringing discouragement so that we do not realize ourselves in important areas of our life.
Fear leads us to look at circumstances with natural eyes and not with the eyes of God.
Fear is a brake that prevents us from undertaking new challenges.
FAITH GIVES US SAFETY
"If Jehovah does not guard the city in vain, watch the guard"
Psalm 127: 1
We must understand that genuine security comes from the inside out. It has to do with our spirituality reflected later in the other areas of life both in the physical area, as in the family, ministerial, business or financial area. This security is the result of allowing the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives.
For some, security is in the circumstances, but true security is not external but internal. Joshua saw giants but he did not stop in the circumstances but he trusted in His God and when one believes God, he stops being a failure, visualizes the conquest and obtains victory.
FAITH FILLS US WITH PEACE
Peace is the result of a quiet conscience. "Therefore do not rebel against Jehovah or fear the people of this land because we will eat them as bread, their protection has departed from them and the Lord is with us, do not fear them" Numbers 14: 9
These were the words that Joshua said to the people of Israel when they were practically discouraged, had lowered their guard and had believed that the enemy was going to overtake them and defeat them, but these words had no impact on their hearts, as they had already left that fear will take total control of their lives. Because of this they turned their eyes to what they were living, to the circumstances and they took their eyes from God and this was the cause of their destruction.
FEAR GOES ON WITH LOVE
"In love there is no fear, but perfect love casts out fear; because fear carries punishment in itself. Wherefore he who fears has not been perfected in love. "1 John 4:18
When the perfect love of Jesus fills our hearts:
We stop being slaves of fear and we know the fullness of the presence of God that restores us.
We do not feel fear in the face of the storm, because our life is grounded in the Rock that is Jesus and we are fully confident that what He promised us, He will do.
Our way of speaking changes and every day is blessed through the confessions we make, because we believe that even if small adversities come, we are sure that all things are good for those who love God.
We have a correct image of ourselves and of others.
Upon receiving the love of Jesus our nature changes and we become true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth.