Fear comes after us aggressively and violently. Because fear is aggressive, we cannot defeat it passively. We must use the power available to us as Christians—aggressive Christianity—against an aggressive devil.

Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them [the agents of the antichrist], because He Who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.
(1 John 4:4)

The King James Version words this verse, greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. But if we do not draw on the Greater One in us to come against "he that is in the world" then "he that is in the world" will prevail.

Your flesh—the natural, carnal "you"—won't want to confront the devil. It wants to go by feelings. It wants to wish the problem away.

It says, "I wish I didn't have to pick up the kids from school"; "I wish I didn't have to go outside when it's so hot—I don't want to be hot"; "I wish I didn't have to do this"; "I wish I didn't have to do that."

The flesh will keep you defeated and deflated on the inside all the time. Passively letting negative feelings, thoughts—little fears—come on you will put your "wishbone" into operation.

Saying things like, "I wish I didn't have these problems with my mind," will not stop the devil from stealing your peace and joy. Aggressively dealing with him will!

And we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have the "backbone" to do what it takes to confront him—the Spirit of the living God inside us.

Don't put up with those feelings and thoughts! Use the power of God available to you!

Seize The Kingdom!

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize—a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].
(Matt. 11:12)

We need to become violent Christians, not with people, but with the devil! Be aggressive!

Watch yourself—if your peace starts draining out of you, if you start feeling worried or anxious, or if you become judgmental or critical toward people, as soon as you sense or recognize what is happening, aggressively confront the devil—pray!

For example, if you realize you are being judgmental or critical of another person, speak out against those thoughts. Say:

I will not be critical or judgmental. The love of God is shed abroad in me by the Holy Ghost according to Romans 5:5, and I will walk in love. I will not walk in judgment and criticism. I will not have a bad attitude toward people. I have problems of my own and, therefore, have no right to judge anyone else. God, forgive me for being critical of that person, and help me now to walk in love. In Jesus' name.

If you have a vague feeling something is wrong and don't know what it is, ask God, "What is going on here?" He will show you.

You may realize the problem is worry, or that you did something wrong and have not repented, or that you mistreated someone then acted as if it didn't matter.

God will show you why you do not have peace or joy. So many times if I felt something was wrong but couldn't identify it and asked the Lord, "What is the matter?" He has answered, "Fear." And, sure enough, I realized I was fearing something.

You will be amazed at how quickly you are delivered from those hidden attacks of the devil as you watch and pray!

"No Fear in Love"
First John 4:18, KJV, says There is no fear in love. The Amplified Version says:

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror!
(1 John 4:18)

You may know God loves you, but still have fear. If so, you need to continue growing in your understanding of God's love for you because when you know how much God loves you, fear disappears: dread does not exist!

God loves you and wants to bless you more than you can possibly imagine. He wants to give you victory in every area: over sin, in your health and finances, socially, and He wants to give you joy.

He wants you to receive His love moment by moment in every situation by walking in faith and trusting Him for everything.

Perfect love casteth out fear (1 John 4:18 KJV), and God is that perfect love. Once you have a revelation of how perfect that love is toward you, nothing will cause you to fear.

Source: Don't Dread by Joyce Meyer
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers