Let me ask you something. Is worry a sin? When you worry, are you going against God and His will?
Well, let’s look at the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and see what it says. In Romans 14:23 it says that anything that is not of faith is sin. Now, let me ask you another question. When you worry, are you in faith? Well, the answer is NO! You cannot be in worry and faith at the same time. Let me explain.
Worry, a type of fear, is the opposite of faith. In the English language we have words that have opposite meanings. If I were to ask you the opposite of hot, you would immediately say cold. If I asked you the opposite of up, you would quickly say down. If I asked you the opposite east, you would immediately say west.
Why? Because they are opposites. They are not only opposed to each other; they cannot exist together at the same time. If I asked you to face east, you could not be facing west at the same time. Why? It’s impossible. They are opposites.
Sometimes when you translate from one language to another, the meaning can be lost or changed slightly. That’s the case with worry. In the Hebrew language, the opposite of worry is faith. Remember, worry is a type of fear.
In the same way that you cannot be going up and down at the same time, because they are opposites, you cannot be in worry and be in faith at the same time. When you are in faith, you are not in worry. And when you are in worry, you are not in faith.
Several times in Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount,” He addressed the subject of worry. In Matthew chapter 6, verses 25, 27, 28, 31 and 34, Jesus commanded us to not worry.
When Jesus commanded us over and over again in Matthew 6 to not worry, He knew that worry would kill our faith. Is that so bad to have dead faith? After all who needs faith anyway?
In Ephesians 2:8, the Bible says we are saved through faith. In James 5:15, the Bible says the prayer of faith will heal the sick. In Hebrews 11:6, the Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God.
In James 1:6 we are told that if we want wisdom, all we have to do is ask, but if we don’t ask in faith, the Bible says in verse 6, we won’t get anything. And in Romans 14:23 it says that anything that is not of faith is sin.
So, who needs faith? According to the Bible, God’s Holy Word, those who want to be saved, healed, who want wisdom, who want to please God and who want to stay out of sin need faith. To me that makes faith extremely important and it also explains why Satan hates it.
Worry is a tool of Satan. He knows that if he can get you to worry, you will not be in faith. When you are not in faith, you will be ineffective as a Christian. So, today I will tell you the same thing Jesus did. Do not worry. No matter how bad things look, be in faith and not in worry. If we really believe God, then there’s nothing to worry about anyway, right?
Remember, as Christians we walk by faith and not by what we see. So when things look bad, look through the eyes of faith and worry will flee.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.