… that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:14-15
Walking into a store this past week, I casually asked an employee counting the people who entered, “How are you?” The usual reply of “fine” was replaced by a somber “I am still alive.” Unfortunately, the news in keeping people informed about the number of deaths from the coronavirus in a certain city, county, or country has inadvertently brought many people into bondage of the “fear of death.”
“Fear of death” as spoken of in Hebrews 2:14-15 encompasses not just physical death. Death can appear in many areas of our life such as economic collapse, financial crisis, sickness, addiction, imprisonment, war, natural disasters, and so much more.
Why is there so much death? The bible answers this question, “For the wages of sin is death.” In the garden of Eden, Adam was told that if he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil he would surely die. Because Adam chose to sin against God, death entered into the world and spread to all men. The moment Adam chose satan’s fear-filled words over and above the love-filled words of God fear entered into his heart, which led to sin and its consequence of death for the entire human race. (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 3:23, 5:12; 6:23)
The good news is you do not have to live in bondage to the fear of death any longer!
The good news is you do not have to live in bondage to the fear of death any longer! For you have been given “the gift of God, eternal life in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 6:23) You don’t have to let the enemy – the face behind all fear – steal, kill, and destroy any aspect of the abundant life you have been given in Christ. (See Ps. 103:3-5)
Even though the news and circumstances may make you feel like you do not have any choice but to succumb to the surrounding pressures of fear, and fear of death, you do have a choice! You can say “no” to fear and to any form of death or destruction the enemy tries to bring into your heart or your life. And, you can say “yes” to God’s unconditional love for you, which allowed His only Son Jesus Christ to go to the cross to conquer sin and death for you, destroying its power over your life.
Say “yes” to God and all His promises for your life. Declare:
- Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.
- Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
- 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Learn how you can live free from fear in our Fearless Living series.