Power of Torment

Key Scripture: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18

Power Point:

Torment is the pits. I speak from experience. When you are under attack by a tormenting fear it can be devastating. When we receive the Perfect Love from the Perfect One in our hearts it is there to cast out all fear.  It can do that because His love is so vast that it has provided for us everything we could ever need for our lives. His love provides an abundance in our lives that is way beyond anything we could dream up on our own. I like thinking that my life can be the fulfillment of God’s dreams. 

Jesus has had a lot to say about love and about fear. They cannot co-exist. They are polar opposites.  He says, “DO love, DON’T fear.’

Let’s dissect the sentence that says, “ There is no fear in love.” It’s easy to live without fear when you know that the King of Love loves you isn’t it? If you really understand the height and the depths of His love and all that it means for you, all the goodness, and the wonderful things He has in store for you, then you will never fear because you will never see your future without Jesus in it. You will never see tomorrow without the things He promised to be for us and to give to us; total peace, provision, covenant protection and your every need met. And don't forget rescue and deliverance.  If you can trust in Perfect Love you will not live in fear.

On the other hand, if we unpack this verse a bit more, we can see how it applies to loving others with the love of Christ which can be a bit tricky can’t it?

We can trust that if we do what He tells us to do and continue to love as He loves, Holy Spirit will hover over that relationship, over that situation, and create a good thing from it. The thing is, if you don’t do that you will be under the influence of the tormentors, those ugly darts sent by Satan to destroy the fabric of your heart. It won’t be pretty. When you are tormented, it’s a continual siege against your thoughts. It’s a constant opportunity to think “low”. It drains you physically and mentally and spiritually. It separates you from the love of God. It leaves you like a stripped down bush in the desert and you won’t see any good even when it passes right by you.

Let’s make a pact. Let’s make today the day we ask Holy Spirit to help us to transform all those negative tormenting thoughts into Truth that sets us free. Can you imagine living the rest of your life fear-free, torment-free? It’s possible, Beloved. Jesus said so.

When you settle into the Perfect Love of Jesus, through the power of His Holy Spirit you will find that fear becomes easier and easier to dismiss and cast out. When you make the quality, intentional decision to guard your heart from fear and keep it in the love of God, everything in your life will change. It’s a big leap of faith, I know.  Sometimes it is much easier to allow the fear to define your life. It may be easy but it is definitely not a good thing. You’ll be so glad you changed course.

Ask Him to show you how to be free from your particular tormenting fear. And then ask the King of Love to fill your thoughts as He longs to do so that His perfect Love can set you free.

Power Thought:

Fear only breeds more fear.  The Good News is that faith will always breed more faith.

Now that’s a GOOD thing!