As a kid, I saw some scary movies. Haunted Palace, a 1963 movie, is one I saw at a theater when it was first released. I was not quite 9 years old, and even though I spent half the time huddled behind the seat in front of me, it scared the bejeebers out of me. Haven’t had a bejeeber since that day!
When I was about 16, I saw The Tingler on TV. The 1959 horror-thriller was probably the most effective of any movie in raising fear to its greatest heights in me.
The Tingler – spirit of fear!
According to the movie, each person has a parasite living in their spine that feeds on fear. When the person is afraid, the “Tingler” (as it is called), grows and curls the spine until it eventually kills the person. The only way to overcome it and keep it harmless is by screaming. Wild movie. I had nightmares for days after seeing that one.
I have no clue as to what the horror flicks of today are like; haven’t seen one in years.
Why?
Jesus!
Huh?
I’ll ask a question to help me illustrate my point.
If you were trapped in a completely dark room, absolutely pitch black, how would you feel? Add to that, while in that room, though you can’t even see your hand in front of your face, you know you aren’t alone; you can feel wet, slimy creatures crawling over your feet.
How would you feel?
All of a sudden the room is flooded with light, the creatures retreat to the corner as they search for a shadow to hide in, and the door of freedom swings wide open, offering you the release from captivity!
How would you feel?
Would you say a heart-felt thanks to your rescuer, and then walk back into the room, shut the door and turn off the lights? Would you silently wait while the creatures slithered back into the open and start their scary routine?
There was a time in my life when I was without hope; without God in my life. That is also when I was without faith; and when the spirit of fear dominated my soul.
“that at that time you were without Christ…having no hope and without God in the world.” (Ephesians 2:12 NKJV)
But when I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, He gave me faith and removed the spirit of fear!
“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 NKJV)
So, why would I want to feed the spirit of fear? Why would I want to invite fear back into my life?
Fear has torment. It feeds on doubt and worry, borrowing troublesome thoughts from the enemy Jesus came to destroy!
Fear paralyzes! It causes such turmoil in the believer’s heart that they can lose their will to stand in faith and resist the devil.
Fear is an enemy to faith in God. It tries to replace faith, operating basically the same as faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” So is fear! Fear is convinced something bad will happen; its evidence is what its five senses are telling it.
With faith it is possible to please God, for one can believe God is, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Not so with fear. Fear believes the problem, the situation, and the enemy is greater than God.
The devil receives “back-handed” worship through our fear!
Abraham was strong in faith, and was fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was able to perform.
But the person strong in fear will be fully persuaded that what the enemy whispers in their ear will come to pass.
Like Elijah. Elijah was fully persuaded that what Jezebel had promised, she was able to perform.
Fear speaks of the unknown, like it is known.
Yesterday, today, and tomorrow; fear is convinced trouble is inevitable.
Not enough or too much, fear reasons.
What some will say, or won’t say; fear holds things close to the heart.
Frightening situations will provide either a revelation of God’s Presence and Power, or they’ll reinforce the shackles holding the heart in fear.
What you allow your eyes to see, ears to hear, and heart to meditate upon, will determine whether you walk in faith or stumble along in fear.
Halloween is coming soon. What a huge “holiday” it’s become! Many people, including believers, will dress up in ghoulish costumes and celebrate the spirit of fear and darkness without even realizing it. What a shame!
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Fear is of the devil.
The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made us free from the law of sin and death. Faith is attached to the Spirit of Life; fear is packaged with the law of sin and death.
Light has no communion with darkness, nor does righteousness comingle with unrighteousness. Faith and fear do not cohabit.
Since we have NOT been given the spirit of fear, how about you and I getting to know the God of Life better, rather than spending time and money feeding the fear Jesus came to destroy!
The “Tingler” will have no control over the person who is God-filled; filled with power, love, and self-disciplined mind.
Jan Grace 