BREAKING BONDAGES: A PLAN TO OVERCOME YOUR FEARS | Isaiah 51:10–13 | Message 5
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10 Was it not you who dried up the sea,
the waters of the great deep,
who made a road in the depths of the sea
so that the redeemed might cross over?
11 Those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.12 “I, even I, am he who comforts you.
Who are you that you fear mere mortals,
human beings who are but grass,
13 that you forget the Lord your Maker,
who stretches out the heavens
and who lays the foundations of the earth,
that you live in constant terror every day
because of the wrath of the oppressor,
who is bent on destruction?
For where is the wrath of the oppressor?Isaiah 51:10–13
Fear Is Not From God
Paul writes in 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.”
That phrase “has not given” comes from the Greek word didomi — a verb in the aorist active indicative tense, meaning a completed action. In other words, God has already provided everything we need to live fearlessly.
The “spirit” Paul describes isn’t the Holy Spirit—it’s an inner quality of life. God doesn’t implant timidity. He gives believers courage, confidence, and calm resolve.
The Greek word Paul uses for fear, deilía, means cowardice—a shameful fear born of weakness and self-focus. “The Lord,” as one commentator said, “is never responsible for our cowardice, our lack of confidence, or our being ashamed of Him.”
It was once said of Lord Shaftesbury, “He feared man so little because he feared God so much.”
The Courage of the Tested
One striking example is Geoffrey Bull, a missionary imprisoned in Communist China. Subjected to daily brainwashing, confined motionless for hours under the gaze of a guard, he learned to retreat deep into his soul—to that sacred sanctuary where the goodness, faithfulness, and power of God reigned.
Bull later wrote that he overcame terror by focusing on Christ—the One who died for him and now reigns at God’s right hand.
That’s how the believer defeats fear: by anchoring the mind in the unchanging character of God.
What God Gives the Believer
1. Power — Dunamis
The word dunamis gives us dynamic and dynamite. It speaks of explosive spiritual energy—the divine enablement to live and serve victoriously.
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened… that you may know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.” — Ephesians 1:18–19
Dr. William MacDonald wrote, “Facing martyrdom himself, Paul reminded Timothy that God has not given us the spirit of cowardice. There is no time for fearfulness or timidity.”
Dr. John Phillips added, “Terror stalked the Christian world when Paul wrote this letter—but the long and growing roll call of martyrs showed that fear can be conquered.”
From Peter’s denial in the high priest’s courtyard to Abraham’s fear in Egypt, Scripture reminds us: fear paralyzes. But faith empowers.
As a young man called to ministry, I remember praying earnestly, “Lord, fill me with the Holy Spirit—give me power to work for You!” I still pray that prayer today.
D. L. Moody once described the day the Spirit filled him:
“God revealed Himself to me, and I had such an experience of His love that I had to ask Him to stay His hand! I would not be placed back where I was before that blessed experience if you gave me all the world.”
That’s what the power of the Holy Spirit does—it turns ordinary believers into extraordinary witnesses.
2. Love — Agape
The love God gives is not sentimental—it’s selfless, volitional, and victorious.
“Perfect love casts out fear.” — 1 John 4:18
Dr. Gary W. Demarest said, “Every fire needs repeated stirring and rearranging to keep it burning brightly.”
Nothing rekindles your spiritual fire like loving God and people more. Pray daily, “Lord, help me love You more—and love others more.”
Charles Wesley wrote, “Thou, O Christ, art all I want; more than all in Thee I find.”
Charles Spurgeon confessed the secret of his ministry:
“I looked at Him, and He looked at me, and we were one forever.”
One story illustrates it beautifully. Pastor Rittenhouse once found a suitcase fallen from a stranger’s car. Inside was a gold piece engraved “Given to Otis Sampson at his retirement.” Rittenhouse returned it with a note about Christ, his “most precious possession.” A year later, the gold piece returned with a letter:
“We’ve joined a church. You were the first to tell us about Jesus. Now He is our most prized possession.”
Love casts out fear—and draws others to Christ.
3. A Sound Mind — Sophronismos
This Greek word means self-control, discipline, and balance. It appears only once in the New Testament and describes a spirit of order under pressure.
“I discipline my body and bring it into subjection.” — 1 Corinthians 9:27
God doesn’t want His people ruled by anxiety or emotion. A sound mind produces steady faith and peaceful confidence, even in crisis.
Faith Over Fear
From the fiery trials of the early church to the pressures of modern life, one truth stands unshaken:
Fear never comes from God—but power, love, and a disciplined mind always do.
When you rest in His strength, love deeply, and think clearly, fear loses its grip.
Ask the Lord today:
“Fill me with Your Spirit. Let Your power, Your love, and Your peace drive out every fear.”
That’s the plan—and the promise—of overcoming fear.
