Satan greatest fear is in your discovering who you are and what you can do in Christ. God is showing me more and more that there is a difference between the “Spirit of fear” and the manifestation or fruit of fear. It’s from following the flesh that we produce the fruit of fear: Animosity (Hostility), Despair (Dejection), Anxiety (Worry), Impatience (Agitation), Cruelty (Spitefulness), Corruption (Wrongdoing), Doubt (Disbelief), Pride (Arrogance), and Greed. (Gluttony). The Spirit of fear is that “energy” that we, many a time, allow to drive our thinking, it’s that force that keeps us focused on the problem instead of God’s promise for the situation that we find ourselves in (and if we are totally honest with ourselves, we will find that it’s also the cause of the problem).

Yet Second Timothy makes it very clear that we have the tools to overcome any situation that Satan (or our poor choices) brings our way, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 [KJV]

How many times have you (and me – since all have sinned) done something in anger or stupidity only to try and justify it with, “I just can’t help it, that’s who I am?” Well for me, it came down to opening me eyes and heart to God’s Word,

“For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bit and devour one another take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:13 – 16 [KJV] Verse 16 in the Amplified starts out, “…walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit…”

As we choose to follow and allow ourselves to be controlled and guided by God’s Spirit, we tap into an endless resource of Strength, Courage and Coping Abilities that we never dreamed possible. Don’t get me wrong, being a spiritual being having a human experience means dealing with disappointments, frustrations and problems. But It’s only in knowing who you are in Christ that we find the key to liberty, to freedom from Satan's control and deceptions. It’s only in knowing who you are in Christ that provides you with the courage, desire and energy to serve (to minister) to others.

Pastor Michael Larkins is the Author of “Victorious Nuggets – Transforming Self-Esteem into Christ-Esteem.

For more of his blogs go to his web site www.thewealthresponse.com