Overcoming Fear: Embracing True Freedom in Faith
Summary
Freedom is God’s design for every person—freedom from everything that binds, paralyzes, or keeps us stuck. Yet, like the gap between emancipation and the full experience of freedom celebrated on Juneteenth, many of us live in a spiritual gap: Jesus has broken the chains, but we remain in the cage, held back by fear. Fear is not just a feeling; it’s the enemy’s most successful tactic, a spiritual force that masquerades as wisdom, caution, or even anger, but at its root, it is faith in the enemy’s lies rather than God’s truth.
Fear is so pervasive that God commands us more than anything else in Scripture: “Do not fear”—365 times, one for every day of the year. This isn’t accidental. Fear is a form of worship, a surrender of our hearts and minds to something other than God. When we let fear dictate our actions, we are, in effect, bowing to a false god. The spirit of fear is not neutral; it is a spiritual entity that seeks to make us feel powerless, unloved, and mentally crippled.
The story of David and Goliath illustrates this reality. For forty days, Goliath’s roar paralyzed an entire army—200,000 warriors—because they believed the threat was real and insurmountable. But David saw through the mirage. He remembered God’s past faithfulness and refused to let fear grow larger than God in his life. Instead of drawing close to fear, David kept his distance and roared his faith back at the giant, declaring God’s power and presence.
Fear’s strategy is to get us to hold it close, to obsess over it, so its shadow blocks out everything else—including God. But the truth is, the enemy is only like a roaring lion; he is not one. The only real Lion is Jesus, the Lion of Judah, who has triumphed. The path to freedom is not to become fearless, but to fear the right thing: to worship and revere God above all else. When we do, we find the courage to step out of the cage, to move forward even after we’ve been bitten by disappointment or pain, and to live in the freedom Christ has already won.
Key Takeaways
- Fear is not just an emotion but a spiritual force that seeks to paralyze and control. It often disguises itself as wisdom, caution, or even anger, but at its core, it is faith in the enemy’s narrative rather than God’s promises. Recognizing fear’s true nature is the first step toward breaking its hold. [15:28]
- The enemy’s roar is all talk and no substance. Like Goliath or the roaring lion in Peter’s letter, fear claims territory in our minds by making threats seem larger than life. But these threats are a mirage; the enemy can only intimidate, not destroy, when we stand firm in faith. [17:34]
- God’s repeated command to “do not fear” is not a suggestion but a call to worship Him alone. Fear is a form of misplaced worship, surrendering control and reverence to something other than God. True worship is placing ourselves under God’s authority, trusting His power over every threat. [13:50]
- Remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels present courage. David’s confidence to face Goliath came from recalling how God delivered him from the lion and the bear. Our own stories of God’s deliverance, no matter how small, are the foundation for stepping forward in faith against new fears. [21:20]
- The path to freedom is not the absence of fear, but the presence of the right fear—the fear of the Lord. When we revere God above all else, the shadows of lesser fears shrink. Jesus, the Lion of Judah, is with us, and when we hold Him closer than our fears, we can walk through any valley without being overcome. [36:38]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:24] - The Razor Scooter Restoration and God’s Care
[03:51] - The Enemy’s Tactic: Fear
[05:11] - Adult Words for Fear
[06:46] - The Roaring Lion: 1 Peter 5
[08:29] - David and Goliath: The Power of Roar
[10:14] - Paralyzed by Small Threats
[11:24] - What’s More Dangerous Than Lions?
[12:50] - God’s Most Frequent Command: Do Not Fear
[13:50] - Fear as Worship
[15:28] - The Spirit of Fear vs. God’s Spirit
[17:34] - The Roar Claims Territory
[18:51] - The Mirage of Fear
[19:39] - David’s Courage and God’s Faithfulness
[21:20] - Facing Giants with Past Victories
[22:33] - Fear’s Tactic: Drawing Us Close
[23:46] - Moving Fear Away, Drawing God Closer
[24:47] - Bethany Hamilton: Courage After the Bite
[28:03] - Where Are You Stuck?
[29:28] - Roaring Faith Back at Fear
[31:19] - The Truth About Fear Revealed
[32:36] - Excuses vs. Faith
[33:21] - David’s Inner Life: Delivered from All Fears
[36:38] - The Lion of Judah Triumphs
[37:19] - Practicing Worship Over Fear
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Freedom from Fear”
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### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”
2. 1 Samuel 17:32-37, 45-47
(David’s response to Goliath and his conversation with Saul)
3. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
---
### Observation Questions
1. In 1 Peter 5:8, what image does Peter use to describe the enemy, and what is the enemy’s goal?
2. According to the sermon, how many times does the Bible command us “do not fear,” and why is that significant? [[12:50]]
3. In the story of David and Goliath, what was the reaction of the Israelite army to Goliath’s threats, and how did David’s response differ? [[10:14]]
4. What does 2 Timothy 1:7 say God gives us instead of a spirit of fear?
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says fear is not just an emotion but a spiritual force that can masquerade as wisdom, caution, or anger. How does this understanding change the way someone might view their own fears? [[15:28]]
2. Why does the pastor say that fear is a form of worship, and what does it mean to “bow” to fear instead of God? [[13:50]]
3. David remembered God’s past faithfulness with the lion and the bear. How does recalling past experiences with God help someone face new fears? [[21:20]]
4. The enemy is described as being “like” a roaring lion, not actually one. What difference does this make in how we respond to fear? [[17:34]]
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon compared the gap between emancipation and true freedom to the spiritual gap many of us live in—Jesus has broken the chains, but we stay in the cage. Is there an area in your life where you feel “stuck” even though you know Christ has set you free? What is holding you back? [[03:51]]
2. Fear often disguises itself as wisdom, caution, or even anger. Can you think of a recent decision or reaction where fear might have been hiding behind one of these “adult words”? How can you tell the difference between healthy caution and fear that paralyzes? [[05:11]]
3. The sermon said that fear grows when we hold it close and obsess over it. What is one fear you tend to “hold close”? What would it look like to move that fear further away and draw God closer this week? [[23:46]]
4. David “roared his faith back at the giant.” What would it look like for you to speak faith over your fears instead of letting them speak over you? Is there a specific situation where you need to do this? [[29:57]]
5. The pastor shared about Bethany Hamilton, who returned to surfing after losing her arm to a shark. Is there a “bite” from your past—disappointment, pain, or failure—that makes you afraid to try again? What step could you take to move forward in faith? [[24:47]]
6. The sermon said the path to freedom is not the absence of fear, but the presence of the right fear—the fear of the Lord. What does it mean for you to “fear God” in a way that shrinks your other fears? [[36:38]]
7. God’s command to “do not fear” is repeated 365 times in the Bible. What is one practical way you can remind yourself of this truth daily? [[12:50]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to silently name a fear they want to move further away, and then pray together, asking God to help them hold Him closer and trust in His power and love.
Devotional
Day 1: Fear is the Enemy’s Most Successful Tactic
Fear is the enemy’s most effective weapon to keep us paralyzed and stuck, often disguising itself as worry, stress, or even anger. It’s not just a childish emotion but a root cause behind many of the things that keep us from stepping into the freedom God has for us. The enemy’s voice roars loudly, convincing us that disaster is inevitable, that we’re not enough, and that it’s safer to stay in the cage than to risk stepping out. But God’s design for you is freedom, not a life ruled by fear. Today, recognize that the voice of fear is not neutral—it’s a spiritual attack meant to keep you from the life God intends. [06:46]
1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where fear has kept you from taking a step God is prompting you to take? How can you name that fear today and begin to resist it?
Day 2: God’s Command: “Do Not Fear”
God’s most frequent command in the Bible is “do not fear,” appearing 365 times—one for every day of the year—showing just how deeply He desires for us to live free from fear’s grip. Fear is not just a nuisance; it’s a false god that demands our worship by causing us to surrender our actions, thoughts, and decisions to it instead of to God. When we let fear steer our lives, we’re giving it power that belongs only to God. But God calls us to worship Him alone, to surrender our anxieties and trust that He is bigger than any threat we face. [12:50]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Reflection: What is one fear you have been “worshiping” by letting it control your decisions? What would it look like to surrender that fear to God today?
Day 3: Faith Roars Louder Than Fear
David’s story shows us that faith is not the absence of fear, but the choice to trust God’s power and faithfulness in the face of overwhelming threats. While the army of Israel was paralyzed by Goliath’s roar, David remembered God’s past faithfulness and chose to step forward, declaring his trust in God rather than shrinking back in fear. When fear tries to draw you close and make itself bigger, you can choose to “roar back” with faith, reminding yourself and your fears of who God is and what He has done. [29:57]
1 Samuel 17:45-47 (ESV)
Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”
Reflection: When fear shouts at you, what is one truth about God’s character or faithfulness you can declare back today?
Day 4: God Delivers Us From All Our Fears
Even David, the giant-slayer, experienced seasons of deep fear and anxiety, but he found deliverance by seeking God and shifting his focus from the roar of fear to the presence of the Lord. God doesn’t promise we’ll never feel fear, but He does promise to deliver us from it when we turn to Him. The path to freedom is not pretending to be fearless, but honestly bringing our fears to God and letting Him show us how much bigger He is than anything we face. [33:21]
Psalm 34:4 (ESV)
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Reflection: What fear do you need to bring honestly before God today, asking Him to deliver you as you seek Him?
Day 5: The Lion of Judah Is With You
The ultimate antidote to fear is not self-confidence, but a deep reverence and trust in Jesus, the Lion of Judah, who has triumphed and is always with you. When you choose to fear God above all else, you realize that nothing and no one can touch you apart from His loving hand. Jesus is not a lion who hunts you, but one who fights for you, surrounds you, and fills you with courage to walk through even the darkest valleys without fear. Hold your fears at a distance and draw God close, knowing that He is greater than anything that threatens you. [36:38]
Revelation 5:5 (ESV)
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Reflection: How can you intentionally “move God closer” in your heart and mind today, letting the presence of Jesus—the Lion of Judah—give you courage in the face of your fears?
Quotes
If you feel shame, that song we just sung, what is shame? Shame is a fear of being known. Someone find out who I am. What's guilt? Guilt. A fear of my past is going to catch up to me. See, underneath so many of the things that keep us stuck is the same exact root tactic of the enemy called fear. [00:06:03] (21 seconds)
We're oftentimes stopped by small things. We're paralyzed, just like that army of 200 ,000 people. We're afraid of failing so we don't even apply for the job. We're afraid of being rejected so we don't even ask. We're afraid of being known. We're afraid of being known. So we hide our feelings, we hide our true selves, we don't check in the community, we don't do any of that stuff. We're afraid of something happening to our kids, so we smother them and we overprotect them. [00:10:58] (22 seconds)
Do you know what God says do not about most in the Bible? Right? I've already told you the topic for the day, fear, so you probably guessed fear and you'd be right. But imagine you didn't. Imagine you didn't know that. What would your guess have been? Before doing this research, I would have guessed that it was don't worship false gods or something like that or something from the Ten Commandments maybe. No, turns out not at all. [00:12:14] (25 seconds)
See, fear is faith in the enemy, the one who tried to become God, by the way. See, fear is worshiping him instead of God. That might sound severe, but think about it for a moment. Fear is worship. It's worship. [00:13:50] (17 seconds)
Worship at its heart is surrender. It's submission. It's placing yourself below something and saying, you have power over and above me. You can steer my life. That's worship. You can say that fear is and always has been the most popular false god to worship. That's why God's so concerned about it. That's why it's number one on his list. [00:14:49] (23 seconds)
Because fear is not neutral. The Bible describes fear as a spirit, as a spiritual entity who's intentionally, strategically trying to take you down. It says this in places like 2 Timothy 1 .7, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Power, love, sound mind from God. Spirit of fear is the opposite of those things. [00:15:36] (25 seconds)
The spirit of fear wants you to feel powerless, unloved, and to so torment you with the roars day after day, morning and evening, that you become so paralyzed because your mind is debilitated and crippled and you cannot move. That's the goal of fear. Fear is believing the enemy's lies over God's truth. That's why God comes so hard against it. [00:16:02] (23 seconds)
I hope they were a little embarrassed because David revealed the truth about fear to them. It's not this roaring lion. It's a teeny little cute little cub that doesn't have anything they can possibly do, can't get you when God's on your side. That's fear. Little bitty small David, the small kid, reveals it to the 200 ,000 warriors. [00:31:38] (22 seconds)
Any place in your life where it's just smarter to stay where you are? God has harsh words when we take that kind of a mindset. He says this in Proverbs 26, a sluggard says, there's a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets. A sluggard is not a compliment from God. He goes, no, it's not wisdom. It's not. It's an excuse for inaction. David runs forward. David knows something that no one else can see. Goliath is much smaller than the God who has his back. [00:32:46] (35 seconds)
If you want to step out of the cage that you're stuck in, the only way it's going to happen is if you start to fear God and listen to him and worship him over and above all of the roars of all of the other fake lions in your life. Because it turns out there is a real lion. His name is Jesus. He's not against you. He's not hunting you down, wanting to pound you into the sand. He's not that. He is for you. And wherever you walk in your life, you've got a lion behind you and surrounding you. And in front of you and inside of your lungs. [00:36:06] (46 seconds)
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