"Your Own Worst Enemy"

2 Tim 1:7   For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. NKJV

I used to think that our own worst enemy was our self. Over the years I've come to realize it is the spirit of fear disguising itself as ourselves and convincing us that this is the way were made! This really is our own worst enemy! Do you know that "Fear not" is used far more than any other instruction in the Bible by God to us? The spirit of fear keeps us from truly who God made us to be! Now let's take an in depth look at the spirit of fear and expose it for the real enemy it is.The first thing is to look at the above scripture because it gives us the true indicators of a spirit of fear. The spirit of fear will try to convince us that we do not have the power to overcome. This is true if were relying on our own strength or power. But if we know that we have the power of the Holy Spirit in is and that God is waiting to express himself through us to overcome every obstacle or crises or giant that would rise up against us, then we have nothing to fear!

Do not rely on your own strength. This is one of the mind sets that will keep you in bondage to the spirit of fear. We have supernatural power available to us. We are to be led by the Spirit and not by the flesh. The Spirit we have on the inside of us is the Holy Spirit, which is power, love and a sound mind.  Remember the spirit of fear will disguise itself as you.

Example: "Thats just the way I am!"  This is not true! You are a powerhouse! God made you to be an ambassador for Christ! This will involve walking in power and authority! You were made to reign in life!

Let's look at love  according to the 2 Tim. 1:7. We have a spirit of Love. 

(Agape)

Agape means: NT:26  (ag-ah'-pay); from NT:25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast: KJV - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.This is the Spirit we have in us! (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)

A lot of Christians have never received in their deepest being that God loves each and every one of us! He loved us while we were yet sinners. Does He love you any less now that you're a Christian?  Absolutely not! He loves you just the same because He loved you with a perfect love from the beginning!  He made you special!  All of us were made special!  We were fearfully and wonderfully made! Do you think that he made you not to win? You are a winner and its time you receive the truth that God loves you and made you this way!  Not to shrink back but overcome! God is for you and He is your rear guard! Ask God to deliver you from all your fears! He will!  This is what holds you back and its time to break on through to the other side!

1 John 4:17-19 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. NKJV

Now lets examine fear involving torment. This is that feeling we get when we can't breathe.  Lets define torment.

Torment: 1 severe physical or mental suffering. 2 a cause of torment.  subject to torment.  annoy or tease unkindly. -ORIGIN Latin tormentum 'instrument of torture', from torquere 'to twist'. (Webster's )

This gives us a basic picture of whats involved when fear has a hold on you. Many people have been under the bondage of fear for many years and have learned to cope or survive in it. This is what the Bible calls a stronghold. It comes about because of a mindset that basically lines up with a spirit of fear and allows this spirit to rule and reign in that specific situation. 

There are many examples I could give you, but  I want to examine one.  Lets say you grew up in a household that your father may have ruled with a fist of iron. He may have said  "You will never amount to anything!" "You're stupid!"  "You can't do anything right!" This scenario might give you a mindset that you are invaluable and would not have what it takes to succeed at anything. This mindset coupled with spirit of fear would make you feel like you're a failure. You probably would be very insecure when it comes to trying to do anything. This usually would cause you to be very defensive when someone would try to help or encourage you. If this mindset is not changed, you will most likely set yourself up for failure.  It is all about how you "see" when it comes to success or failure. Ask yourself:  "Do I "see" myself as a success or failure?"  How did you answer and why?

2 Cor 10:3-6  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. NKJV

Your own worst enemy is not yourself! It is the spirit of fear! For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh!  It has always been interesting to me how we can realize that we need Jesus to save us before we get saved, but forget we still need him to deliver us from bondages after we get saved. We cannot overcome our flesh with our flesh! We must realize we in our in a war!  The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (fleshly).  They are divinely powerful for pulling down strongholds! This word stronghold means a fortified castle.

If you look at the way most castles were built, they had several lines of defense before you even got to the structure of the castle. The first thing they had was a mote. This was filled with water.  Second they would build an outer wall.  Then a second wall that was much higher with a space between the first and second wall. Then inside of all of this is the castle structure itself!  Deep inside the castle resides a king. My question has always been if we were to destroy this stronghold with weapons that are divinely powerful, then who's the king that's been ruling and reigning in the stronghold?  Could fear be the king inside the stronghold? 

The next verse says what a stronghold really is. It is arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Then it goes on to say: Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ!  Remember if fear is the king in the stronghold, it will get you to defend him through your thoughts! The enemy only seems like its you, because it is ruling inside your mind! You need a revelation of Jesus in that area, to over throw the lie you have been hanging on to. The next verse says He is ready to punish all disobedience, when you obedience has been made complete!

These arguments that we have, are the walls that we have constructed to protect the spirit of fear that we think is just us!  I've have experienced over the years that when you start getting close to a stronghold in another person, that they start defending the spirit of fear with arguments and justifications! This usually leads to them getting offended with you at some point.  It's all part of the defense of the stronghold and the king ruling in it!  If we truly want to be free, we will come into truth and be set free. This is going to take obedience to truth. We must take every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. This is going to take an attitude of humbleness.  

Ask yourself this question: Why do I do what I do?  You can narrow down your answer to just two choices: Faith or Fear.  If its faith, you've heard the voice of God.  If its fear, it probably carries a very convincing argument that gives you justification for doing it even though it is fear based. If it is faith it will carry with it a hope and a trust. If it is fear it will be more survival oriented and be very limited in hope. It also will be much and more structured and comfort focused. 

The truth is, we are being changed from one degree of glory to the next into the image of Christ. If this is true (and it is!) We will be like him in this earth realm. Now the last part of the scripture says: He is ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is complete.

The weapons are the weapons of truth that will set us free! When we come into agreement with truth, the mindsets (castle walls & motes) are destroyed and the spirit of fear has to go! Your mindsets that protect it are gone and so is the spirit of fear! ,He is ready to punish all disobedience, when you obedience is made complete!  He will destroy this enemy, when we obey His truth!  He is waiting for us, instead of us waiting for Him!

1 John 4:17-19  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He first loved us. NKJV

Lets start with verse 18 because it really is the truth that deals with the spirit of fear head-on! There is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear! When we really come to the revelation that God loves us and He always has, fear no longer has a place to live in the castles of your mindset. He loved you and I so much while we were yet sinners that he sent his own Son to die on a cross for us! He wants to have relationship with us! Receive the love of the Father today and be set free!

I want to sum up this article up by once again stating: You are not "Your Own Worst Enemy"  The spirit of fear disguising itself as yourself is! This is the king in the castle of mindsets,which are the walls, motes, and defense measures  that are set up to protect it. This spirit of fear disusing itself as yourself will keep you from doing what God has called you to do by convincing you that this is just the way you were made. The most common argument that a person will use is: "That just the way I am." That may describe your current state, but that is not the way God made you! He made you to be an overcome in all areas of life! 

When you find out who you really are and overcome this spirit of fear that has kept you in bondage, you will recognize it in other people and will have a steadfast resolve to help them. 

Prov 29:25  "The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. NKJV

Snare: 1 a trap for catching small animals, consisting of a loop of wire or cord that pulls tight. (Websters Dictionary)

You can recognize a spirit of fear disguising itself as yourself, by how it makes you feel when you get into certain situations. Do you feel like your suffocating or trapped? This is the spirit of fear. Do you ever avoid certain situations because you feel uncomfortable?  This is most likely the spirit of fear keeping you from your destiny. Don't stay in bondage any longer! Don't buy the lie that this is just the way you are! 

God loves you and made you to be an over-comer! Face the giants of your life knowing that God loves you and is for you! He is your rear guard, your strength and your ever present help! He made you just the way you are and if people reject you, so what! He will never reject you because you're the apple of his eye! He made you with your own distinct DNA!  No one was made like you! Be all that God made you to be! You are the head and not the tail!  God goes before you and He is your rear guard!  As He is, so are we in this world! 

AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD!  AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD!   PERFECT LOVE CAST OUT ALL FEAR! YOU ARE LOVED!  Now Fear you've got to go!   You've been dethroned by the LOVE of God! 

"Fear Not!" "Says the Lord for I am with you to deliver you out of every situation!" "You must trust in me, because I love you and I want to bring you to the destiny I have for you!" "You must let go of discouragement and step out in what I've said you can do!" "This is the day and this is the time of my presence says the Lord!" "You have waited secretly for these days says the Lord and now that they are here you must step up to the plate and swing for the fences!" "Do not go back to timid and passivity!" "I did not make you that way!"  "You have the heart of a Lion and that is authority!" "You must pick up the authority that I have given you and have dominion over the earth!"  "I have given you the helper and I am with you says the Lord."  "I have always loved you so Fear Not!" "Be strong and courage's for I have given you the land to posses says the Lord!" "You will arise and you will shine!"  Says the Lord!


(While I was writing this article the Spirit of Prophecy came on me so I felt led to include it) We do have power because it has been given! God has given us power and help, so receive it!  Fear Not!

"What Do You See?"

Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, What do you see?  NKJV

Many times in the Bible, God or an angel sent by God would ask the prophets: "What do you see?" This is a very important question! So if the Lord showed up in your life right now and asked you that same question, What will your answer be? Your answer is going to determine what action you will take in any of the circumstances or situations in your life.  Here are a few things to ponder in your heart. If all you see is darkness and how evil this world is, then I urge you to go look in the mirror. What do you see?  If its darkness, then remember you are the light! Return to your first love and re-establish your relationship with Jesus!  Its not too late, repent from distraction, diversion and apathy and relight the fire, on the alter of your heart!  If you see light, then go shine that light and take action!  We must get about the Fathers business! He has called us to go into all of the world and preach the Gospel (Good News) to every creature. Jesus told his disciples to go preach the Gospel starting with Jerusalem. Next, go to the regions roundabout. Then to the uttermost places on the earth. So lets take a look at Jerusalem first. This would be the area you call home. It may be harder to start with those we are familiar with, because of how we see. Do you see them in the destiny that God has for them or do you see them as they are, possibly a mess in the natural?  Remember this: Every seed that you intend on planting, the soil has to be prepared and ready to receive. So ask the Lord to show you what their destiny and purpose is and then begin to speak it into existence!

Luke 18:40-43 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41 saying, What do you want Me to do for you?  He said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 Then Jesus said to him, Receive your sight; your faith has made you well. 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.   NKJV

Now lets look at another aspect of "What Do You See?"

Zech 4:1-2 Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. 2 And he said to me, "What do you see?" NKJV


Zech 4:4-6 So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, "What are these, my lord?" 5 Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, "Do you not know what these are?" And I said, "No, my lord." 6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts." NKJV

"What Do You See?"  This is the question you should be asking. If you see through the eyes of fear, you will see things as very heavy and burdensome. The spirit of fear gets its authority to operate from pride that is in us. If you are prideful, fear will get a foothold in you until you humble yourself. Pride is a "mindset" that thinks it can live independently of God. It is worship of self and your abilities and talents.  We are nothing in ourselves, whatever we have comes from the Lord. All of our gifts that we possess came from God. The minute we start entertaining thoughts that we are more special then someone else or forgetting that whatever power has been released through us comes from God, we will run the risk of falling into pride and that will open up the door for fear to get a foot hold. This is the trap that satan himself fell into. He would raise his throne (authority) above God!  Pride will blind your eyes and deceive you into thinking you see correctly. "Not by might and not by power, but by my spirit says the Lord!"

If you see through the eyes of offense, you will see only judgment and criticism instead of mercy. Offense is another way to blind your eyes. If you are always seeing what is wrong, this could be a strong indicator you're in offense. Perfect love cast out fear and mercy triumphs over judgment. We are going to have to ask the Lord to heal our eyes so that we can see through His eyes. We enter His gates with thanksgiving in our heart and we enter his courts with praise. If you start being thankful for what you have, it is absolutely the quickest way to get into His presence. In His presence is fullness of joy! This will correct our vision!

Jer 1:11-12 Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?"  And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." 12 Then the Lord said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word." NKJV  

This is such an important principle to grasp. Let reiterate again:  "How you see"  is going to determine what action you will take. If you see nothing, then nothing is most likely what you will do.  We have to put ourselves in position before the presence of the Lord. When we do this, we will have the ability to see and hear. The Lord will show us images because they serve as a universal language. Think about this:  No matter what language you speak, you can interpret what he is saying in image form! You can hold up a hammer to a group of people from many nations of the world and they will know what it is! They may call it something different in their language, but it will still mean the same thing. In this "vision" in the above scripture lets take a look at the branch of an almond tree. Lets focus on almond and define the word in the Hebrew

Almond: shaqed (shaw-kade'); from OT:8245; the almond (tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom): KJV - almond (tree). OT:8245  shaqad (shaw-kad'); a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether for good or ill): KJV - hasten, remain, wake, watch (for).

The Almond branch is the image but the Hebrew words for almond give the interpretation of the image the Lord is showing Jeremiah.

The Hebrew word Shaqed means to "bloom" or "bear fruit" and Shaqad which is the base or root of where shaqed comes from means to "watch" or to "be awake"  Now look at what the Lord says to Jeremiah: "You have seen well, I'm ready to perform (watch over) my word to perform (cause it to bear fruit) It."

If we want to see correctly, we are going to have spend a lot more time in His presence and learn the language in image form of what He is trying to show us! This week make it a point to spend more time in His presence and see what the Lord will show you! If He gives you an image, write it down in description form and then ask Him to give you the interpretation. This will add a whole new dimension to your life!  "What Do You See?"

"Break Out Of The Box"

It's amazing how many people I've met over the years, who have set routines and won't change anything, because this is all they know. This is sad because most of the time it's fear based and keeps them from truly enjoying life!  It's like insulating yourself from anything that's different. Fear can only have a foothold in us if we have pride. You can measure your fears by how much pride you have and vice-versa. Ask yourself: "What are you afraid of?"  "And why?" This fear puts us in the box!  We will live in the confines of the box until "Truth" comes and sets us free! Jesus is the truth! Do you think that God wants you afraid of death? Afraid of rejection?  Afraid of people? A religious spirit will put you in the box of man- made doctrines and tell you that you are deceived if you leave the confines of the box of fear! If the decisions you make are because of fear, you are being led by the wrong spirit. That which proceeds not from faith is sin. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God! I have watched many people over the years not recognize their fundamental problems are related to fear. So they take measures to survive in these issues by building walls around them and put a bottom in and a ceiling on and live in the box of fear.  Facing your fear involves confrontation. It is truly the giant we will have to face and defeat, to have true freedom. Do you see fear as an outside spirit? How do we defeat it?  By knowing that God loves us and made us to win! He wants us to come out of the box and truly live! Don't "spiritualize" fear and call it your friend! If you're afraid, ask God to help you! This is the true definition of pride: It's a life that rejects what God has said and lives independently from Him! It is also worship of self! God knows how to handle every situation and He loves us! Let Him destroy with Truth and Love the box you live in and be free!  Now let's take a look at creativity being outside the box.

There is the old saying: "Think outside the box"  This is for good reason because creativity is outside the box! We are created in the Image of God.   God is a creator! That makes us creative!  He is a creator and so are we! Let's define Create.

Create:1 bring into existence. 2 make (someone) a member of the nobility. 3 Brit. informal make a fuss; complain.  ORIGIN Latin creare 'produce'.

The first definition of create is to bring into existence!  This ability is God given and is in every one of us!  The enemies plan is to convince us to conform to traditions, customs, formulas etc. But Gods plan is to bring us into the realm of creativity!

Gen 1:1-4 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said: "Let there be light"  And there was light  NKJV

Now the Spirit is hovering over the water that is in our innermost being waiting for a word from God to create something from nothing! This is very significant because if God says it through you it will come to pass!  The Holy Spirit in us is the Helper. My question is: What does that mean?

I Cor 12:7-11 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. NKJV

The Holy Spirit makes us one with God, who is a creator. Now that makes us creative! Creativity is outside the box!.......So it's time to "Break Out Of The Box"