There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 1 John 4:18
Really?! Do we actually believe this? Then why are we SO susceptible to fear? Why do we hold on to our fears? Why do we believe our fears? How much of our day and lives are ruled by fear? Why do we allow fear to paralyze us so? These are very real and pertinent questions if you claim to “know” Jesus Christ and say you are ‘filled’ with the Holy Spirit. Basically, if we believe this statement / verse … then we must accept and admit that we are NOT totally perfected in love. So then we might also have a real lack of understanding of … love, at least the love that is mentioned in this verse.
The word love here is agape in Greek. This kind of love is vastly different than the love described in other forms. Agape / love according to Biblehub is described this way… “Agapé is a term used in the New Testament to describe a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It is the highest form of love, often associated with the love of God for humanity and the love that believers are called to have for one another. Unlike other Greek words for love, such as “eros” (romantic love) or “philia” (brotherly love), agapé is not based on emotions or feelings but is an act of the will, characterized by a commitment to the well-being of others. In the Greco-Roman world, various forms of love were recognized, but agapé was distinct in its emphasis on selflessness and sacrifice. Early Christians adopted this term to describe the love that God demonstrated through Jesus Christ, particularly in His sacrificial death on the cross. This concept of love was revolutionary in a culture that often valued power and self-interest.”
I think the ‘key’ in that description is “but is an act of the will”. Agape love is our agreement and active choice to surrender to the Spirit of God and fruit of love He has planted within our soul and life. How often do we need to make this ‘choice’? How often are you tempted to think otherwise? Do you automatically fall into fear traps? Does fear enter your mind and your soul / emotions and feelings immediately run with it? Is it a natural ‘knee jerk’ reaction for you when fear shows up in front of you? Have you learned a disciplined response to fear? Do you immediately actively choose to listen to the Holy Spirit concerning that fear?
Oh boy… is this a lifelong process and battle! Learning to go to the Holy Spirit and follow His instructions in the heat of battle and when faced with all sorts of fears this discipline must be practiced, over and over. If you are not actively choosing to combat fear with this discipline of turning to the Holy Spirit, fear will remain in the driver’s seat of your life, instead of the Spirit of God. Do you alone have the power to overcome your greatest fears? Especially if those fears are thrown at you into your weakest areas of your soul and heart by demons that know you better than you probably know yourself? Even the most spiritually mature still have to deal with this discipline of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in SO many areas, but also help us to overcome our fear(s). This will be a lifelong process – that NEEDS to be constantly worked on. How do we do that? Daily surrender to the Holy Spirit. Daily asking Him to guide you and help you make the right decisions and choices throughout your day.
When a fear pops up in your life do you automatically turn to the Holy Spirit? Is He your first response to the fear now, or do you justify and just accept that fear as your own? Have you learned how to communicate with the Holy Spirit and listen to Him when the pressure is on?
What do you choose?