Whom Shall I Fear?
The Christian Blog that gets you thinking ...
By Debra Torres
The snake in my strawberry patch stealthily slithered underneath a pile of black plastic just a few feet from where I stood.
Its friend must have had the same idea, because it hightailed it towards the weedy shelter of the raspberries just a moment later.
I watched the pattern of the snake’s scales as it slithered in, complaining about my invasion with a rattled hiss.
There was something about the snakes that made my skin crawl. Even though they were most likely nonvenomous, they still made me want to ban the berry patches from my garden adventures.
Maybe I’ll forgo the joy of having fresh berries on my cereal this summer. Or, maybe I’ll even give up the wholesomeness of garden tomatoes, corn and beans since the snakes are likely to invade that area too.
I mean, if they’ve taken over the garden, you can count me out, right?
The snake in my strawberry patch stealthily slithered underneath a pile of black plastic just a few feet from where I stood.
Its friend must have had the same idea, because it hightailed it towards the weedy shelter of the raspberries just a moment later.
I watched the pattern of the snake’s scales as it slithered in, complaining about my invasion with a rattled hiss.
There was something about the snakes that made my skin crawl. Even though they were most likely nonvenomous, they still made me want to ban the berry patches from my garden adventures.
Maybe I’ll forgo the joy of having fresh berries on my cereal this summer. Or, maybe I’ll even give up the wholesomeness of garden tomatoes, corn and beans since the snakes are likely to invade that area too.
I mean, if they’ve taken over the garden, you can count me out, right?
But the more I thought about it, I knew that surrendering the goodness of a home garden is not the best way to approach the situation.
Truth is I’m bigger than any ol’ snake.
Plus, I’ve got four barn cats that take their snake hunting very seriously.
It’s important, I think, to remember the truth when we’re dealing with something that frightens us.
I was reading some news about our government a few days ago, and began to get overwhelmed with what I’ll call my “snake syndrome.”
Truth is I’m bigger than any ol’ snake.
Plus, I’ve got four barn cats that take their snake hunting very seriously.
It’s important, I think, to remember the truth when we’re dealing with something that frightens us.
I was reading some news about our government a few days ago, and began to get overwhelmed with what I’ll call my “snake syndrome.”
I could see ungodly laws being put into place and leaders guiding our country in a direction far away from God’s principles.
My head began to swirl with the thoughts of different scenarios that could happen. And you know what?
I began to get afraid.
I stayed there for a few moments, wallowing miserably in my fear, when a spark of revelation struck me and a beacon of light chased away my dark musings. Can you guess what it was?
Truth.
My head began to swirl with the thoughts of different scenarios that could happen. And you know what?
I began to get afraid.
I stayed there for a few moments, wallowing miserably in my fear, when a spark of revelation struck me and a beacon of light chased away my dark musings. Can you guess what it was?
Truth.
I remembered that I serve a God who will never leave me nor forsake me. One who is greater than he who is in the world.
Put frankly -- a God who is way bigger than any snake.
In reading Christian author Neil T. Anderson’s “Freedom in Christ” online devotionals the other day, I was reminded of the power of truth.
Put frankly -- a God who is way bigger than any snake.
In reading Christian author Neil T. Anderson’s “Freedom in Christ” online devotionals the other day, I was reminded of the power of truth.
In “Our Defense Against Satan,” Anderson explains that the only power the enemy has over us is what is handed over to him when we believe his lies. We break that power when we expose that lie to the truth.
Read what he says here: “Since Satan's primary weapon is the lie, your defense against him is the truth. Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter; it's a truth encounter. When you expose Satan's lie with God's truth, his power is broken.
"That's why Jesus said: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). That's why He prayed: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. . . . Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:15, 17 NIV ).
"That's why the first piece of armor Paul mentions for standing against the schemes of the devil is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14). Satan's lie cannot withstand the truth any more than the darkness of night can withstand the light of the rising sun.”
I remember the day that I began to truly understand this concept.
For years, I had allowed myself to be caught under Satan’s thumb as I believed his lies about me.
Freedom came when I began to understand the truth of God’s word and apply it bit by bit to the devil's lies.
Freedom is a beautiful thing, and it’s Christ’s gift to all who believe.
My husband and I just spent some time tackling the forest of weeds in our berry patches. In doing so, we exposed what was once covered in dark shadows to the bright sunlight. I’m hoping our snakes will find their cover is gone and split -- leaving the sweetness of the berries to us.
Is there an area of your life where Satan’s got you trapped with his lies?
Let the Son in.
Read what he says here: “Since Satan's primary weapon is the lie, your defense against him is the truth. Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter; it's a truth encounter. When you expose Satan's lie with God's truth, his power is broken.
"That's why Jesus said: "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). That's why He prayed: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. . . . Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:15, 17 NIV ).
"That's why the first piece of armor Paul mentions for standing against the schemes of the devil is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14). Satan's lie cannot withstand the truth any more than the darkness of night can withstand the light of the rising sun.”
I remember the day that I began to truly understand this concept.
For years, I had allowed myself to be caught under Satan’s thumb as I believed his lies about me.
Freedom came when I began to understand the truth of God’s word and apply it bit by bit to the devil's lies.
Freedom is a beautiful thing, and it’s Christ’s gift to all who believe.
My husband and I just spent some time tackling the forest of weeds in our berry patches. In doing so, we exposed what was once covered in dark shadows to the bright sunlight. I’m hoping our snakes will find their cover is gone and split -- leaving the sweetness of the berries to us.
Is there an area of your life where Satan’s got you trapped with his lies?
Let the Son in.
Here are some Bible verses that'll help you on your journey:
Psalm 27:1-3 New Living Translation
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation--
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
Deuteronomy 31:6 New International Version
6 Be strong and courageous.Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:10 Amplified Bible
10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
Psalm 27:1-3 New Living Translation
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation--
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
Deuteronomy 31:6 New International Version
6 Be strong and courageous.Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you;he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Isaiah 41:10 Amplified Bible
10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.