Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

Moderation in everything but Adonai. This is a maxim you can take to the eternal bank. What about all that Grace stuff? No condemnation stuff? Freedom in Jesus stuff? “All things are permitted for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are permitted for me, but I will not be controlled by anything” (1 Corinthians 6:12). This is EXACTLY why we prosper in EVERY way ONLY after we prosper SPIRITUALLY (3 John 2). Without that intimate connection with Jesus, and without it being a strong and Word-based connection, we will be at the mercy of the THINGS in our lives instead of enjoying BLESSINGS that we could give away with ZERO regrets at the batting of an eye.

“Brothers, do not become children in your understanding, but with respect to wickedness be as a child, and in your understanding be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20). The things of the world are nice, mostly. But if we covet them – which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5) – they end up with hooks in US instead of being things we enjoy. It works exactly like drugs. It doesn’t matter if it is alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, or cocaine. The first time you do it, you’re not addicted. But soon you are and trying to stop makes you pay a harsh price. This is not what Adonai wanted for us. We were to care for this world and develop it by spreading His paradise, not to get ourselves slaved to it. The slavery can be physical, mental, emotional, financial or any kind. It doesn’t matter. The hooks are real. The hooks hurt to remove and they resist being removed in the first place. It takes what Jesus did through the cross to free us and get the hooks out (without the pain of self-extraction).

This is why one of the most important Fruit available to us through Ruach HaKodesh is self-control. The Greek word means temperance, which is the quality of moderation in action, thought, or feeling. A habitual condition where you keep a reign on your appetites and passions instead of indulging them willy-nilly. It is voluntary self-restraint, although in this case we are drawing on HIS strength of will and not OURS – an important distinction. It is in HIM (Jesus) that we can do this. It is through HIM (Ruach HaKodesh) that we have access to it. On our own, we’re the same as everyone else trying to flee an addiction.

This principle can apply to everything. Doom-scrolling, even. Anything that we consume INSTEAD of spending time with Adonai. So it isn’t a hobby, time with the family or friends, sports, work, or anything particular. It is those things you choose to do INSTEAD of taking time with Adonai (which can be a sacrifice – Romans 12:1). It’s anything that’s preventing more intimacy with Adonai. Preventing Adonai from having the proper place in our lives leads to NOTHING good and quite often idolatry. Anything in His place is an idol. And ANYTHING can be one. Ruach HaKodesh is right here with us. We don’t have to ‘worry’ if something is pushing into the wrong place or not. We need to listen to Him. He will tell us when something is in danger of getting a hold on us that it shouldn’t. He will tell us when it looks like we’re starting to stray. Don’t let yourself get fooled. Don’t justify it away. Listen to Him and obey. Whatever it is, it isn’t worth it to let it interfere with you time with Adonai.

We have been given all the Fruit of the Spirit, access to the very character of Adonai Himself. AND the counsellor and instructor we need to shepherd us to all the right places – spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. We have been given the tools to help us give Adonai His place. We are uniquely positioned within creation to give Him a glory He can get from no one and nothing else. We should lean into that privilege. We should enjoy it and take advantage of it. It is uniquely ours and it is a LOT of fun. We should develop that mindset and let the gluttonous one turn into a desert not worthy of our time or attention. He’ll help us EVERY step of the way.

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: John 3:27

“John answered and said, “A man can receive not one thing unless it is granted to him from heaven!” Which means ALL THINGS are in Jesus, waiting to be delivered to us – as long as they are GOOD for us (James 4:3). What we need to do in order to receive blessings is to set our hearts on Him. Not the THINGS, but on HIM. What father denies his kids things that he can give them? No good father does. The things we don’t get are the things the good father knows is bad for us, or he can’t afford, or we don’t really want (you can always tell in the way they ask). Can our heavenly Father do worse? NO! He can afford all things. He gives all blessings. And He wants the BEST for you. But His focus isn’t the THINGS, but the RELATIONSHIP the things grow out of. The humble reverence. He isn’t a cosmic Santa. He doesn’t give willy-nilly. He gives what will benefit us. What will bless us. What we will truly enjoy without it harming us in any way. He gives the BEST things. He always had and He always will. They are ALL in Jesus and Jesus came to make a Way for us to renew our minds so that we can receive them. What a GOOD God!

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8