Overcoming Fear With Faith | Overcomer Bible Study | Mike Prah

Feb 9, 2022 | by Mike Prah

OVERCOMING FEAR WITH FAITH | OVERCOMERS BIBLE STUDY | MIKE PRAH

Ephesians 6:16

INTRODUCTION

The Bible says, “God has distributed a measure of faith to each one” Romans 12:3 (HCSB). Faith is a common denominator of life. Everyone has it. Each of us need to practice faith in the normal, everyday activities of life to live by faith and not by fear.

KEY VERSE:

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

BIBLE DEFINITION OF FAITH

“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.” Hebrews 11:1, LB

How is this definition of faith different than that of fear?
How is faith more substantial (solid, believable) than fear?
In what way can living by faith extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one”?

“Men of God in days of old were famous for their faith. By faith—by believing God—we know that the world and the stars—in fact, all things—were made at God’s command; and that they were all made from things that can’t be seen.” Hebrews 11:2-3, LB

HOW THE BIBLE VIEWS FEAR AND THE OPPOSITE-OF-FEAR

God says: “I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid.” Leviticus 26:6a, NIV

“Yes, though a mighty army marches against me, my heart shall know no fear! I am confident that God will save me.” Psalm 27:3, LB

“This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in person, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8, NIV

“Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40, NIV

“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5, NLT

AS BELIEVERS WHAT DOES GOD GIVE TO US TO COMBACT FEAR?

CONFIDENCE — When we trust in God, instead of ourselves or our circumstances

COURAGE — To stand up against doubt, denial. Deception, worry, or insecurity

ENDURANCE — The ability to keep going even though it feels hard

PEACE — To rest in God during our challenging times

REALITY — To see things as God sees them instead of through our lens of fear

“You have not seen Christ, but still you love Him. You cannot see Him now, but you believe in Him. So you are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory. And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9, NCV

OVERCOMING FEAR WITH FAITH - PT2 | OVERCOMERS BIBLE STUDY | HOW TO GROW IN FAITH

Ephesians 6:16

INTRODUCTION

KEY VERSE:

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Ephesians 6:16

PART 2 | HOW TO GROW IN FAITH

1. TO GROW OUR FAITH WE NEED PERSPECTIVE [UNDERSTANDING]

“The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.” The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!” Luke 17:5-6, NLT

“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:21-23, NLT

“The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil[a] spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!” Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.” Mark 9:24-27, NLT

2. TO GROW OUR FAITH WE NEED the PREACHING AND HEARING THE WORD OF GOD

“Faith comes from hearing the Good News, and people hear the Good News when someone tells them about Christ.” Romans 10:17, NCV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV

“For we have heard the Good News, just as they did. They heard the message, but it did them no good, because when they heard it, they did not accept it with faith.” Hebrews 4:2, GN

3. OUR FAITH IS STRENGTHEN BY PROBLEMS

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” James 1:2-3, NLT

“So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. 7 These trials are only to test your faith, to see whether or not it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests gold and purifies it—and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold; so if your faith remains strong after being tried in the test tube of fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day of his return.” 1 Peter 1:6-7, LB

“We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.” 2 Corinthians 2:8-10, NLT

4. OUR FAITH IS STRENGTHENED IN OUR RELATIONS WITH OTHER BELIEVERS

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32, NLT

“Finally, when we could stand it no longer, we decided to stay alone in Athens, and we sent Timothy to visit you. He is our brother and God’s co-worker in proclaiming the Good News of Christ. We sent him to strengthen you, to encourage you in your faith” 1 Thessalonians 3:1-2, NLT

“How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” 1 Thessalonians 3:9-10, NIV

“I mean that I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” Romans 1:12, NCV

5. OUR FAITH IS REINFORCED BY PRAYER

“Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” Luke 18:1, NIV

“Why are you sleeping?” Jesus asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Luke 22:46, NIV

“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray … Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them … in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. Therefore … pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:13-16, NIV

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7,NLT