‘NOT by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
says the Lord of hosts. Zech 4.6
While the natural power, natural love, and sound mind common to humanity are adequate for the normal challenges of life, they will be found wanting in battling the supra-natural forces of ‘fear’. Any real hope of winning this war is found in the help of the Holy Spirit. As the theme text (2Tim 1.7) says, He is heaven’s agent supplying the ‘armaments’, and the real key to victory is in harnessing this supernatural equipping. For effective use of the three ‘weapons’ listed in 2Tim 1.7, it all depends on ‘ keeping in step’ (Gal 5.25 NIV) with the Holy Spirit as the C.E.O. of the Godhead. Indeed, one of life’s delightful surprises is to discover the Holy Spirit shares His supernatural abilities with us. And this demands a strong
‘working relationship’ with Him, a most privileged relationship achieved by cultivating certain spiritual disciplines. Certain specific devotional habits so the Holy Spirit comes alongside as the ‘commanding officer’ to direct the war effort.
Now, some will see a life empowered by the Holy Spirit as a
‘pipe dream’. They see such an exalted `life’ where His supernatural guidance and help are experienced as for special leaders or those living in cloistered devotion. But this is to deny what Joel prophesied when he said this final dispensation would see the Holy Spirit poured out on all flesh— 'upon male and female and on young and old’ (Quoted in Acts 2.16,17). How 61
God’s children experience grace in this current dispensation of the Holy Spirit has radically changed compared to the Mosaic covenant. With a mission to be the ‘helper’ of every follower of Christ, He no longer anoints only kings, priests, and prophets; (See Jhn 16.7-15). A relationship promised every believer here,
‘ all shall know Me (get acquainted by experience (AMB)), from the least of them to the greatest’ (Heb 8.11). How to experience the outworking of this blessed merger is the challenge facing everyone battling ‘fear’, and a quest I knew to embark on from the start if I was to overcome my ‘fear’. Here, then, are the important keys to a life of walking in intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit as found from the study of Scripture and in personal experience.
But before I address how to enjoy this relationship with the Holy Spirit some important basic truths need to be established.
The first of these is the imperative for the human spirit to be regenerated, transformed by the ‘new birth’, the birth ‘from above’ (Jhn 3.5,6). Next, is the necessity to respond in obedience to the command to be water baptized (Act 2.38) to signify we are a ‘new creation’ in Christ (2Cor 5.17). But to fully know a life led and empowered by the Spirit of God, a further step is necessary. It is to receive the ‘Baptism in (or with) the Holy Spirit’, the third leg in initial salvation, and the experience whereby the Holy Spirit comes ‘upon’ us besides also being ‘ in’ us. It is the ‘second blessing’ every believer is promised. (See Jhn 7.38).
However, for the Spirit of Christ to positively impact daily walk, the real challenge is in maintaining this relationship. And 62
the only way to achieve this is by faithfully setting aside devotional time with the Spirit of God. What all spiritual giants throughout the church age saw as their sacred duty, and a time (sometimes known as a ‘quiet time’) set aside as a priority, a tryst to be cultivated and cherished. It should include the following devotional elements, some of them elementary, but all critical if it is to bring renewal of spiritual life. These practices, in fact, form the foundation for all the strategies I share on overcoming ‘fear’, and why I am addressing them first. Any further instruction is of little value if these spiritual disciplines are not in place. So even if it only confirms what you already know, please don’t skip the following section, but take the time to read it to ensure you fulfill the requirements. I guarantee a
‘refresher course’ won’t harm.
THE ‘BAPTISM IN (WITH) THE HOLY SPIRIT’
‘On the … great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38) Some elaboration on this third work of grace in initial salvation is in order before we get to the devotional practices. Known as the ‘Baptism in (or with) the Holy Spirit’, it is the experience whereby the ‘well’
mentioned in the verses above springs up to bring forth ‘rivers of living water’ (same verses) and is simply received by believing Christ promised this ‘gift’ to every disciple of His.
What John the Baptist also spoke of (Matt 3.11) as did Peter saying, ‘Repent and…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2.38).
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Every believer can be ‘filled’ with the same enabling of the Holy Spirit the disciples experienced and recorded in the book of Acts (e.g. Acts 2.4, 9.17). It is where He is ‘poured out’ (Acts 2.17,18) on a believer, either sovereignly, or through the ‘laying on of hands’ (the more common way to receive the impartation of the ‘gift’). (See Acts 8.17-19, 19.6) And the usual evidence for having received this is ‘speaking with other tongues’ —also according to the book of Acts (Acts 2, 10, and 19). This is the supernatural enabling whereby the human spirit (mostly using an angelic language) expresses its praise, prayer, and thanksgiving unto God. (See 1Cor 14.14,15) My question is: have you received this ‘gift’ of the ‘Baptism of the Spirit’? (See Acts 19.2) If not, I encourage you to delay no longer as the promise is for every believer no matter how ‘ far off’ they are from the first century (Acts 2.37-39). If you have repented, believed in Christ, and been baptized in water, then you are eligible to have the Holy Spirit ‘come upon’ (Acts 1.8) you. None need wait until they are ‘holy enough’ or have reached a certain maturity in the Lord. Let me also say this; without the experience of the ‘Baptism of the Spirit’, terms such as ‘filled with the Spirit’ or ‘led by the Spirit’ will forever taunt rather than be realities you enjoy. If I had not come across Pentecostal Christians and had this enabling of the Holy Spirit I would still be a fearful Christian unable to break out of my bondage and insecurity. Now, if your church is not Pentecostal or ‘Charismatic’ and there is no one to pray with you, I encourage you to seek a believer who, like a midwife, can help encounter this equipping for service in the Kingdom of God.
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THE DEVOTIONAL LIFE
“When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matt 6.6) Preachers tout many keys to enjoying a happy, victorious Christian life, and no doubt each is a ‘piece of the puzzle’. But many are left disappointed after reading a book with a title like
‘The secret to atomic spiritual power’—the ‘secret key’ did not do what was promised. Now, these could well be genuine ‘keys’
(not secrets), but any help they offer must rest upon the foundation of a solid devotional life, the time set aside for fellowship with God. Nothing is more critical to enjoying the abundant life promised in Scripture, one free from crippling
‘fear’.
Sadly, many believers don’t agree with this counsel, saying setting aside such a time is unnecessary as they ‘talk with the Lord’ throughout the day. It sounds reasonable until we note this time dedicated to meeting with God in the ‘closet’ (Matt 6.6) (private chamber) is the habit Jesus said heaven would especially reward. It certainly was the ‘key’ to my success in overcoming ‘fear’ and other blessings in my Christian walk. If you haven’t already found this out, you need to, for, without a regular devotional time, the ‘keys’ of fasting, confessing the Word, meditation, or any other one promoted can easily become lifeless rituals. Jesus' instruction, then, to ‘shut the door of the closet’ (Mat 6.6), is not something we can take or leave. And since freedom from ‘fear’ is one of the rewards for sowing in secret prayer, it must become a priority.
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He not only spoke of a devotional time, but Jesus endorsed its importance by modeling it; most clearly when He took advantage of the night hours to slip away for times of extended intimacy with His Father. (See Matt 14.23, Luke 6.12) A willingness to sacrifice sleep no doubt because of a heavy daytime schedule, nevertheless, a shining example for us today.
But also confirmation of how indispensable this habit is for those desiring close fellowship with Father God and divine guidance for their daily life, both of which will be critical to survival at the end of the age. So, even if it seems tedious, a
‘religious duty’, I plead with you don’t neglect such a devotional time. Eating, sleeping, and washing are duties you ‘religiously’
keep every day, so why not this one? If your desire to ‘ abide in the vine’ (Jhn 15) and draw fresh life from Christ, it is a habit you cannot afford to neglect.
Too many believers now rely on substitutes for this devotional time. The ‘proxies’ of church meetings, conferences, or listening to Christian music and a notable change from how Jesus and the spiritual giants of history saw a devotional time as their primary source of divine life—above even other ‘means of grace’, e.g., the ‘Lord's Supper’. In the war to overcome ‘fear’, you too will find it to be a source of extra ‘fire power’. Now, I admit it is not easy to maintain a regular devotional time. So much can ‘run interference’ to prevent us; if it is not the weakness of the flesh (especially tiredness), then it is the pressing demands on time or the bouts of apathy and discouragement, possibly from failure to fight off fear’s attacks.
But though difficult, don’t be fooled into thinking a token devotional life will suffice, one kept spasmodically, brief, 66
observed mechanically, or substituted with proxies. I learned a truth early in my Christian walk that has proven more than valid over the years; it is this, those who take the time (it is not given) to draw near to God have fresh strength for the battle.
Meeting each day in the ‘holy place’ for spiritual exercises, then, is how to keep filled with new spiritual life. (See 1Tim 4.8) Honestly, there is no other way for this than what I advance.
Here, then, are the exercises used during the time I set aside to meet with the Lord; all are easy to learn and anyone (even children) can do them. Hopefully, you will employ all as you progress beyond the few minutes many give to this time to eventually spend the hour Jesus asked of His disciples (Matt 26.40). To expect to beat ‘fear’ without setting aside this time to fully ‘recharge your batteries’ is more than wishful thinking.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
‘And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody.’ (Eph 5.18.19) Praise and worship are two indispensable elements for a viable devotional life. In fact, it is a command more than an invitation to enter God’s presence with joyful thanksgiving, acclamation, and adoration. (See Ps 100) Make sure, then, not to skimp in your response to this. Spend a good part of the time singing, speaking, even shouting your praise and worship. (See Ps 22.3) As it ascends to heaven, in return, you will be rewarded with God’s presence descending like rain. (See Job 36.27) As the writer of Hebrews exhorts, make sure not to neglect to
‘ continually offer up the sacrifice of praise’ (Heb 13.15).
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SPEAKING IN TONGUES
‘Beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.’ (Jude 20) By speaking a ‘heavenly language’ (tongues) ‘in the Holy Spirit’ your human spirit directly communicates with God. As a ‘body builder’ grows stronger with exercise, this is the element in the devotional time that ‘ edifies’ (1Cor 14.4). By exercising this gift you will see spiritual weakness replaced with divine strength. So don’t neglect this supernatural expression unto God, not just in your devotional time, but throughout the day. Rather than listening to tapes or the radio in your car, use the time to sing or speak in tongues. With no one to disturb it is an ideal opportunity.
However, I must watch out not to pull up at traffic lights during an outburst of ‘tongues’ with the window wound down!
WAIT ON GOD
‘But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and NOT be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Is 40.31) Cultivate the habit also of silently waiting before the Lord. Best done after the time of praise and worship when a heavenly anointing rests upon the mind and heart, and ‘soulish’
activity is quieted. It is much easier to ‘hear’ any impressions from the Holy Spirit in the heart in the ‘stillness’. As the manna fell upon the dew (Num 11.9), a ‘word’ from heaven can alight upon the anointed heart. It is also the time to ‘soak’ up fresh
‘resurrection life’ for renewed spiritual strength. Just remember, though, God is not in a rush; you must be patient and allow extra time for this.
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EAT THE WORD OF GOD
‘It is written, Man shall NOT live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ (Matt 4.4)
The Word of God also brings fresh nourishment to the human spirit. But to fully benefit from this ‘means of grace’ requires more than merely reading a passage of Scripture. If a ‘rhema word’ (quickened, personal word) is to be grafted within the heart, adequate time must be given to contemplation, even meditation on the passage. Discipline yourself, then, to take a portion of Scripture to ‘chew the cud’ on, especially those texts that can build you up in faith for the battle against ‘fear’.
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