THE LION OF JUDAH SHALL BREAK EVERY CHAIN
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18, BSB)
Judah’s lion has prevailed over the works of evil. The roar out of Zion’s holy hill will terrify the mocking hostile nations as God’s judgement takes place. Chains are breaking even now as I write. The lion of Judah is ferociously tearing apart the chains of spiritual captivity upon the people in the nations. We are being loosed and released in this time for the completeness of the Kingdom work. The spirit of fear will be broken in this time to release the global voices of multitudes to lift up the name of Jesus in the earth.
A Standard dictionary’s definition of fear is ‘an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of pain, harm or danger’. It is said that the root of one’s fear lies within them and is therefore self perceived. From a spiritual perspective we understand fear to be a spirit. The initial cause may have resulted from an unfortunate experience but the spirit of fear can manipulate and target the vulnerabilities of individuals to constantly trigger emotional episodes. The intent is to keep one bound to fear causing bodily discord between mind and spirit. But our Lord is the deliverer of His people. “He sent forth His word and healed them; He rescued them from the Pit.” (Psalms 107:20, BSB)
Psychological fear is a state of mind and for those who are discerning there is a level of spiritual captivity behind the behaviour. An external threat, like that of being confronted by a wild animal is real and a rational state. However, internal threats perceived of the mind is a nuanced state. The body comes under duress of stress and goes into a defence mode of survival when an attack of fear is experienced. Our bodies are designed to adapt to existential threats and to survive these anomalies. Any perceived threat to the body will therefore cause one to react in one of three ways. To take flight from the danger or a rush of adrenalin can cause others to fight back. Sadly, the impact of fear can also immobilise an individual and they succumb to the threat even when there is an opportunity to escape. A state of overwhelming anxiety perpetuated by the attack can have this unfortunate outcome. Sustained attacks of irrational psychological fear can bring one into capitulating to the spirit of fear.
Fear of God
The fear of God that is generated out of perfect love in a trusting, ,covenant-keeping relationship that has a different effect on an individual. “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; …” (Isaiah 11:2, BSB). God’s unconditional love illuminates the soul where awe and reverential fear becomes a by-product of His grace. Divine fear contrasts with the spirit of fear that bring one under bondage. The spirit of fear is of evil intent. It is intended to lessen the adoration and love held for our Lord as people struggle to overcome their spiritual challenges. The love of God is potent to drive out anxiety and the darkness enveloping the troubled soul. (1 John 4:18) states that the perfect love of our Lord will cast out the spirit of fear. The fear of God is the pinnacle of wisdom that we should all strive to attain.
The spirit of fear drives men to retreat from the everlasting love of their heavenly Father. It is soul destroying and evokes the fear that keeps one from being all they can be in Christ Jesus. Fear is an emotional challenge that brings torment to cause the spirit of a person to be downcast, exhibiting defeat as they become burdened with the weight of their cares. It is a cruel captivity and designed to bring spiritual ruin and death. In such a pitiable state it is hard to confront the issues as people shrink back from boldness. The spirit of fear must be broken and destroyed by the greater power that come from the sacrifice of our Lord on the cross. “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed,” (Luke 4:18, BSB)
A Climate of Fear
We are in a climate of fear where many christian groups globally are afraid of the evil being perpetuated against them. The conversation of religious fear is avoided but keeping silent is the intent of the enemy. The spirit of fear is associated with witchcraft . It can have no place in God’s New Order. When something is release from within the tortured soul that is deliverance. To remain silent is a form of spiritual captivity. Jesus rebuked the mute spirit in a young man and called it an unclean spirit. “When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.” (Luke 9:25, BSB). In this end time, the collective Church cannot be effective and take the territories for our Lord without breaking the power of fear that is holding many.
Judah’s lion will roar in the land and bring the enemies of God to surrender at His feet. Fear is not the portion assigned to the people of God. I believe that this next generation of christians coming through, many having lived their lives in the pits of sin are themselves fearless. When they have come to know of the New Pentecost power to be poured out in our world, they will not tolerate this obnoxious spirit interfering with the Kingdom work. They will run with the Testimony of Jesus in a way the current Church has not known.
GWENDOLYN SMITH. . #NEWPENTECOST. 2THh JULY 2022