Note: These are unofficial notes taken by an attendee at the teaching by Art Lindsley If you want a transcript of this teaching you are encouraged to order an audio tape of the session.

Quote from the Teaching:

"Perfect Love casts out all fear while perfect fear casts out
all Love!"

Conquering Fear

Love has a relationship with courage as well as fear. Fear is what often prevents us from serving God. Courage is working through fear (if you want to live in fear and anxiety, then you don't need courage, because you have already decided to live with it.)

Three kinds of fear:

Natural: This kind of fear is the kind that preserves life. It keeps you alive [e.g., the fear of heights that keeps you away from the edge of cliffs or when a lion (other than Aslan of course) walks into the room and you make a decision to either fight or get the heck out of there!]. This kind of fear is healthy and good!

Sinful: This is fear that is in excess or immoderate. An example is when we give to someone or something the power that ONLY God should have (the power to control our lives and our attitudes). This kind of fear controls us and becomes like an idol that is the focus of our lives. With it we want someone else's approval more than we want God's approval. This allows that person or thing to shape how we live and replaces God as the primary consideration. Scripture says that Perfect Love casts out all fear. This type of fear is an example of perfect fear casting out all love because it is inwardly focused.

Religious: This is the antidote to sinful fear. Religious fear is a fear of God that drives out -- or puts in perspective -- lesser fears. Religious fear means you don't have to walk in the way of people and you don't have to fear what they fear because you fear the Lord of hosts more than sinful fears. Religious fear puts sinful fear within bounds.

Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge...

Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom...

Proverbs 23:17 - Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 - ...Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man

What does it mean to fear God? It's not the kind of fear that a slave has for a harsh task master. It is not the fear of being beaten by parents but, instead, the fear of disappointing them or being separated from them. You see, the more we love God the less we will fear the people and things around us.

Matthew 25:21-25 says in the Parable of the Talents:

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"

One man buried the talent he was given because he was afraid of his master. This is an example of Sinful Fear. The man was not willing to take a risk because he was scared. As a result, what he did have was taken from him.

In Matthew 6:19-34 the scripture talks about worrying about where to get food and clothing and says where your treasure is, so will be your heart.

Greater		Lesser
Treasures in Heaven		Treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy
Worrying about life		Food
Worrying about your body		What clothes you will wear
Aren't you worth more than they?		God takes care of the birds of the air
Will he not much more clothe you?		God clothes the grass of the fields

Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his life span? We are told to seek the Kingdom of God first and everything will fall into place.

The greater problem in our lives is that we listen to ourselves instead of talking to ourselves. By listening to ourselves, unchecked, we move toward fear. Instead we should say to ourselves... "Self, remember who God is. Remember He is in control, remember He provides what we need." Keep your fear in check. The more perfect your love is, the less your eyes are on yourself, but instead on others.

The most popular people are those who love others the most, who care and are compassionate toward others. Put your eyes on Jesus and then the needs of others. Don't focus on yourself. For example, if you are getting ready to speak to a group of people, do you get scared? You should think about:

1. Do you have something worthwhile to say?
2. Do you care more about sharing it with others who may benefit from hearing it?
3. Praying to help you love them enough to share with them, and
4. Don't take yourself too seriously.

The more we have the power of the Holy Spirit, the more power we will have to love. It is more than a rational thing. We can't change ourselves by imagining things that will never happen. But if we focus on Jesus and what He is doing, we will be changed by Him. Live by faith... don't let your past rule your functioning in the future.

I Thess 5:8 tells us to put on the armor of Faith, Hope and Love. We need faith (trust in Christ) Hope (what God will do in the future) and we need to function in love.

The more we are tied into these, the more we can function in love. The worst has already happened -- Christ was killed for us -- everything else pales in comparison.