by James Dale Coldiron (FireStorm)

The following is a small multipart Bible Study on Fear and Cheer.  It explores the kind of fear that you are supposed to have and the kind that is detrimental to you and as a believer you should not have.  It also explores what the true source of cheer or courage really is.

Table of Contents:

Fear or Cheer Part 1
Fear or Cheer Part 2
Fear or Cheer Part 3

Fear or Cheer Bible Study

by James Dale Coldiron

Note that this Bible Study was a compilation of a number of sermons preached and reworked into a study given while I pastored in 2003.  Copyrighted © 2003 by James Dale Coldiron.

MAIN TEXT: Mark 6:44-49 “ 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: “

FEAR OR CHEER... WHICH WILL IT BE? THEY WERE TROUBLED... BUT JESUS CAME TO GIVE THEM COURAGE AND JOY... BE OF GOOD CHEER... WHICH WILL YOU BELIEVE? THE STORM, OR THE ONE WHO HAS POWER OVER THE STORM?

1. The word cheer is the Greek word tharseo, which means to be of good courage and of good cheer at the same time... in other words... no need to be afraid, but have courage knowing that God is with you and enjoy the joy that goes with that.

When Jesus is on the scene, you have no reason to be afraid. When the Lord is on your side, then you have no reason to fear. His presence comes to give us cheer... or to give us good courage.  They were troubled by the storm. Jesus sent them there, but this storm rose up out of nowhere apparently trying to destroy them before they could cross over.

To quote an evangelist I heard preach once, “ there wasn’t enough water in all the oceans to sink that boat because Jesus told them to cross to the other side.” Hallelujah!

So, they could believe their eyes and the storm and fear and give into the dread, or they could believe Jesus... and when the Lord saw their distress, He came offering them renewed hope.  They were troubled, but He offered them both cheer and courage. You can make it with Jesus!

2. Fear and courage are contrary ideas... you can’t have cheer (courage) and be tormented with fear at the same time... the torments of fear will destroy joy... it will destroy your peace... it will destroy your victory.  Fear is the enemy of faith and fear is the tormenter that will take the cheer out of your life.

1 John 4:16-19 “ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, 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 casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
19 We love him, because he first loved us. “
 

3. The word perfect means complete or mature and wanting nothing.  In other words, when you are complete in your love and God is filling your life, then you cannot fear the things of life or the enemy, for God is in your life and He is greater than every and anything.  And God, the creator of this universe, actually and personally loves you!  When you understand this, it is liberating from the bondage of fear. 

You cannot be walking in faith and walking in the fear of life at the same time. Faith will let you know that you are in the midst of God’s hands. You cannot fear life if you know that Jesus is in control. It is the presence of Jesus and His love in our lives that brings courage or cheer.  If you are saved (been born again) and God has given you new life in Christ, then you know that you are in Him and He is in you and you do not have to fear not only the things of this life, but also the fear of the second death is deleted as well. 

There is boldness in the day of judgment if you know that you have the love of God full in your hearts.  We are literally warned about the spirit of fear... there is a danger of becoming fearful in our walk of faith. Fear destroys faith. Fear is the opposite of faith... this kind of fear is any way.  Not only will this kind of fear destroy your peace and joy, but it can destroy your mind and your love... and literally sap the good out of your life.

I. THIS KIND OF FEAR IS SPIRITUALLY UNHEALTHY - ITS SIN.

2 Timothy 1:6-7 “ 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. “

4. Fear is not only an emotion, but here we see that it can actually be influenced by a "spirit".  I have seen people literally tormented by a spirit of fear and they were either afraid to let their witness for Jesus shine or stand and confess the Lord, or people who were literally afraid of everything.  There are some people afraid to live their lives for fear. 

Some seek after power and money in a quest to calm their own insecurities and fears.  Some seek to dominate other people either through seduction or through manipulation or bullying because of the fear that lives inside of them.  Some people stay drunk or high on drugs (either illegal or prescribed) to calm the fear that consumes them.

The BIBLE SAYS that GOD did NOT give you that spirit of fear.  IT IS NOT OF GOD!  It is not God's will that you be tormented through fear such as this.  Fear here in the original Greek is deilia, which is timidity, fear, or cowardice.  It not a Godly, wise fear.  It is fear of being who God has wished you to be.  YOU WILL NEVER WALK IN YOUR GODLY DESTINY CONTROLLED BY FEAR.  This kind of fear is a tool of Satan and his minions.  It does not come from God.

In fact, not only did God not give you that spirit of fear, but He gave you His Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God gives us :

(1) Power - dunamis - the power of God working  in our lives reveals Jesus Christ and the fruit of the Spirit.  It also releases God to move in our lives and gives us power to walk as the children of God.  It also brings the gifts of the Spirit.  This is the "power" of God from the Holy Spirit.  It will make you a witness for Jesus and overcome your cowardice and timidity about your stand for Christ.

This is the same as here:  Acts 1:8 " But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. "

(2) Love - agape - the unselfish love of God.  God is love... and we are to be filled with God.  He wishes to abide or live in us and for us to live or abide in HIM.  When God is abiding in us and His Word abides in us, then we are filled with His love for God is love.  And when we are mature or perfect in love, that love casts out fear!  Getting full of Jesus (through the working of the Holy Spirit) will fill us with the agape love of God.  That chases fear.

(3) Sound Mind - sophronismos - soundness of mind and self-control.  The Spirit of God renews our minds and gives us the mind of Christ.  It takes us from being controlled by the carnal which many times is motivated by fear, into the spiritual and the love and power of the Spirit of God.  This is also the power to have self-control and not controlled by passions (lusts), and fears.

Revelation 21:8 “ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. “

One last point before we close part 1 and continue to part 2.  The "fearful" - deilos - which has the same root word meaning in Greek... those who are fearful and unbelieving are put in the same category as the abominable and whoremongers, and sorcerers.  Those who were so fearful that they would not confess Jesus Christ... those who were eaten up by a spirit of fear and was controlled by the flesh.  Folks, this kind of fear is a sin.  It keeps you from truly walking a Christian walk.

Continued in PART 2

continued...

Note that this Bible Study was a compilation of a number of sermons preached and reworked into a study given while I pastored in 2003.  Copyrighted © 2003 by James Dale Coldiron.

MAIN TEXT: Mark 6:44-49 “ 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: “

FEAR OR CHEER... WHICH WILL IT BE? THEY WERE TROUBLED... BUT JESUS CAME TO GIVE THEM COURAGE AND JOY... BE OF GOOD CHEER... WHICH WILL YOU BELIEVE? THE STORM, OR THE ONE WHO HAS POWER OVER THE STORM?

Continued...

II. THE GODLY KIND OF FEAR THAT IS RIGHTEOUS AND SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY.

Now there is a kind of fear that is healthy. Having the kind of respect for a fire so that you will not touch a burning flame with your hand. And more than anything else... having a healthy respect and awe (fear) of God.

Psalm 111:10 “ The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever. “
 

The fear of the Lord is the begining of wisdom and the beginning of knowledge.  There is a fear of the Lord that is right and healthy and if we do not have that fear of God, then we make ourselves foolish.

1. When people walk with no fear of God, they walk as if God is not real.  The Bible says this about foolishness.

Psalm 14:1 " To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good. "

Proverbs 31:1 " The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. "

Proverbs 10:8 " The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall. "

Luke 12:4-5 " 4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him. "

Galatians 6:7 " Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. "

Yes, we love the Lord and yes the Lord loves us.  But there is an awe and respect and yes, a fear of the Living God that is healthy for us to have.  It isn't the end-all of wisdom and knowledge, but it is the beginning of knowledge.  It is part of the balanced nature of God.  God is love, but God is also holy.  And there is a fear element about that holiness in relationship to our sin.  Look at the Acts example of Annanias and Saphira if you don't think that there should be a fear as well as love.

Acts 5:9-12 " 9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband [are] at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. "

Because they did not fear, they lied to the Holy Spirit in a time when the manifestation of God's glory was strong.  And in that presence of the Lord, it is a dangerous thing to be arrogant or self-righteous or deceptive.  There should be a fear of God.  Notice that though great fear came upon all the church, the next line is the signs and wonders being done among the people by the laying on of hands of the apostles.  These things go together.  There is the holiness of God which should not be taken lightly, and there is the great grace of God born out of His love.

2. You see this awe of God when Isaiah in Isaiah 6 walked suddenly into the glory of the Lord and was humbled immediately as he was convicted of his sin.  And as he repented, he found forgiveness, sanctification, and empowerment to do the work that God desired of him.  You see the fear of the Lord in the beginning, and the boldness that comes from the Lord in the end.

Isaiah 6:1-8 " 1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. 2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. 3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 6 Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, [which] he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 7 And he laid [it] upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged. 8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me."

Notice the boldness after the loving, sanctifying effect of the glory had on Isaiah.  He went from a good, Godly fear to a boldness in the Lord.  He lost his fears in other areas through this healthy fear which brought him into a place where God could bless and empower him.

GOING ON... if God be for us, then who really can be against us? Why should we fear?  When the Lord is our strength and source then we have nothing to fear.  GOD + us > anything   = God plus us is greater than any enemy!

Psalm 27:1-6 “ 1 [A Psalm] of David. The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, [even] mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident.
4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. “

The Lord is my light and salvation... why should I fear the darkness? Why should I fear destruction... the Lord is my light and my salvation!

WHOM SHALL I FEAR? If you have as Isaiah did in Isaiah 6 humbled yourself before the Lord (for he felt that awesome fear in His presence), then He empowers you... and then, who should you be afraid of?

If the Lord is living in your life... praise God! Then you have the Lord of victory reigning in your life. The Lord is the strength of your life. You don’t have to be afraid... THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF YOUR LIFE!

Ephesians 6:10-13 “ 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. “

This is the center of being victorious in spiritual warfare. We are not strong in ourselves... if we are in our own power, then we might have something to be afraid of. But if we are strong in the Lord, then we have no reason to fear! Hallelujah!

We can put on the armor of God... the whole armor of God... the panoplia or panoply of armor. The biggest and most powerful armor we can take. And actually, we take the Lord Jesus Christ... because He is our armor.

Romans 13:12-14 “ 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof]. “

THE LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THAT ARMOR OF LIGHT!

THE DISCIPLES WERE TOLD BY THE LORD TO CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE... AND THEIR TRIP BROUGHT SERIOUS OPPOSITION AND TRIED TO INVOKE FEAR.


Point to Ponder: Anytime that the Lord leads you to do something... expect opposition... they had a great storm that seemed to threaten their lives... but I put it to you if Jesus tells you to do something... He will empower you to do it, and come to help when you cannot. Don’t fear, be of good cheer.

1 Timothy 1:18-19 “ 18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: “

Some give in... some give up... some let the faith die... but Paul told Timothy... take hold of the prophecies God has given concerning you... going before you... and fight the fight of faith... a good warfare holding faith. It’s all about the faith. Don’t give in... but be of good cheer! You will be opposed, but greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

God for you is greater than all of the forces and the devil against you. Be of good cheer!

3. Fear is an ugly thing, and it comes in several different ways. The Christian who for example votes (since we just had the mother of all elections) for the candidate who stands against biblical and moral principles for “fear” of a loss of finances for the one who stands in a more moral and biblical stand is operating out of a spirit of fear... fear to the point of compromising what is right in God’s eyes.

Worry over money... worry over our jobs... worry over our family... all of these are fear in operation and it destroys faith and closes the door to God blessing us in these areas.

continued in Part 3

continued...

Note that this Bible Study was a compilation of a number of sermons preached and reworked into a study given while I pastored in 2003.  Copyrighted © 2003 by James Dale Coldiron.

MAIN TEXT: Mark 6:44-49 “ 44 And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. 46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: “

FEAR OR CHEER... WHICH WILL IT BE? THEY WERE TROUBLED... BUT JESUS CAME TO GIVE THEM COURAGE AND JOY... BE OF GOOD CHEER... WHICH WILL YOU BELIEVE? THE STORM, OR THE ONE WHO HAS POWER OVER THE STORM?

III. FEAR IS A TOOL OF SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS... HE USED IT THROUGH GOLIATH TO TORMENT A FALLEN KING SAUL, HE USED IT TO DISCOURAGE THE PROPHET ELIJAH AFTER A GREAT VICTORY THROUGH JEZEBEL, AND THEY WILL TRY TO USE IT WITH YOU.

1. It will destroy your ability to have joy... and you get weakened, for that joy of the Lord is your strength... and fear will eventually destroy you. It will destroy your victory.

Nehemiah 8:10b “. . . .for [this] day [is] holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength. “

There is a dynamic here... a dualistic nature in fear and cheer. You cannot have both together. One will chase away the other. The joy will be your strength and chase the fear... or the fear will consume you and dwindle away your joy. I don’t care what giant is before me, God is bigger!

The enemy will try and make you fear... to torment you... then feed you something to numb you of your fear to draw you more and more into the sin that he is feeding you. He will offer you a compromise of sin to numb you of the fear he is also feeding you.

It is like someone dispensing a drug after he dispensed the disease. The problem is that his drug is poison as well. He has some on a power trip... others on a drug trip... others are drunken... others lust for sex or money to make the pain go away... but the fear is the destroying power that drives people to sin.

Fear destroys real faith in God. You need to allow the Holy Spirit to give you the spirit of love, power, and a sound mind (self-control).

There is a reason that the spirit of fear’s opposite is the Holy Spirit that brings power and love! Love casts out fear.

Fear has torments... love has joy... when we walk in the Love of God and UNDERSTAND that God loves us too... then we know that He will bring us through... I’m not staying, I’m going through with the Lord... I have the joy because I walk in His love! No room for fear... love is pushing it out.

Power Point: It’s the difference between a Saint and an ain’t... Cheer or fear... if you got the cheer and courage from the presence of the Lord in your life, then He makes you a Saint... but if you embrace the fears and uncertainties... then you become an aint... Cheer or fear... Saint or ain’t.

Psalm 21:1-2 “ 1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The king shall joy in thy strength, O LORD; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! 2 Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah. “

2. Joy in God’s strength... in His strength we can rejoice... have joy... enjoy His presence and power. Jesus is saying you can make it... cross over, and the enemy is putting up his giants and storms trying to discourage you.

Whose report will you believe? All good and perfect gifts come from above! God knows how to give good gifts to His children.

If you are down and staying in the fear zone... if worry and despair is sucking the life out of your prayer time... then I put it to you that you are dwelling on the wrong one.

IT IS THIS SIMPLE... WHERE DOES OUR THINKING LIVE? DOES IT LIVE IN THE WORD AND FAITH, OR IN THE WORLD AND IT’S STANDARDS AND LIMITATIONS?

We get worldly in ways that we don’t think of as worldly. When we fear and allow the spirit of this world to dictate us what we will do, and when to be happy and when not to... when we live in worry... when we do things out of a spirit of fear... it is time to get delivered from that spirit.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty... and we need to walk in the liberty of the Holy Spirit!

Where is your mind dwelling or living? Are you living in the world or in the Word? Are you living in the promise or in the despair? I know that things come against you... I know that things attack your faith... but when those times come, you must put on the whole armor of God and use God’s Word!

3. You will not win the battle over your church or even your own home, unless you win this one over yourself. You win through faith in Jesus.

It isn’t that we don’t have any problems or loss or pain or trouble... but we don’t have to be troubled even in the trouble!

Philippians 4:6-9 “ 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. “

Jim Coldiron (FireStorm)

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