Questions I haven't been able to answer.

[gore2828]

Can a Christian be a follower of Jesus when they are riddled with fear? Can someone be a follower if grace hasn't overcome them? Can someone be a follower if they are full of doubt? Fear and sin run my life, no by choice but by my past. I beg God to deliver me from these but He doesn't. I love Jesus buy after 15 years as a Christian, my mind and body are still at war. There is so much conflict. I feel as though I can never be free.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Can a Christian be a follower of Jesus when they are riddled with fear? Can someone be a follower if grace hasn't overcome them? Can someone be a follower if they are full of doubt? Fear and sin run my life, no by choice but by my past. I beg God to deliver me from these but He doesn't. I love Jesus buy after 15 years as a Christian, my mind and body are still at war. There is so much conflict. I feel as though I can never be free.

You can, but fear stifles maturity, God replaces fear with love over time so we have boldness on the day of Judgment.

 

[timothyu]

What did Paul do with the conflict of his two opposing lives?

 

[HTacianas]

Can a Christian be a follower of Jesus when they are riddled with fear? Can someone be a follower if grace hasn't overcome them? Can someone be a follower if they are full of doubt? Fear and sin run my life, no by choice but by my past. I beg God to deliver me from these but He doesn't. I love Jesus buy after 15 years as a Christian, my mind and body are still at war. There is so much conflict. I feel as though I can never be free.

I don't know what you mean by "but by my past". 1 John 4:15-19 discusses fear among early converts to Christianity stemming from past sins. There was some doubts among them, especially with Jewish converts, that their previous sins may not have been truly forgiven. Some sins could not be atoned for under the law of Moses, but Christianity offered forgiveness for all sins through baptism, see Acts 13:39.

If by "past" you mean those things prior to baptism you needn't worry.

 

[truthisfreedom2019]

I understand, I struggled for years and use to say that the hardest one to forgive was one's self. I finally realized when I did not forgive my self that I was overriding God's gift of forgiveness. I did not need to forgive my self, just let God do that and I needed to die to self and rejoice in God.

 

[GodLovesCats]

Forgiveness certainly is the hardest thing to do inside your head. Just learning I had made an assumption which turned out to be false made me think, "I would never forgive myself if . . ."

 

[gore2828]

I fear everything. I fear myself, my past, people and even God. I doubt my salvation because of this. I've been doubting my faith and it's killing me. God has not delivered me from this and it saddens me. I even fear my dounts. I'm a mess. I feel in conflict every hour. Ugh.

 

[timothyu]

Is this an issue of faith or is it related to a health issue?

 

[Tone]

Can a Christian be a follower of Jesus when they are riddled with fear? Can someone be a follower if grace hasn't overcome them? Can someone be a follower if they are full of doubt? Fear and sin run my life, no by choice but by my past. I beg God to deliver me from these but He doesn't. I love Jesus buy after 15 years as a Christian, my mind and body are still at war. There is so much conflict. I feel as though I can never be free.

Matthew 8:26
"And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm."

Matthew 14:30
"But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me."

John 20:19
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"

Galatians 2:12
"For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision."

I, personally, ask Abba for His courage, boldness, and shalom, in the Name of Yahshua ha Mashiach, by the Powerful Breath of Ruach ha Kodesh, and He grants it.

Ephesians 6:9
"And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,"

Prayer is our source of power.

 

[Gregory95]

I fear everything. I fear myself, my past, people and even God. I doubt my salvation because of this. I've been doubting my faith and it's killing me. God has not delivered me from this and it saddens me. I even fear my dounts. I'm a mess. I feel in conflict every hour. Ugh.

When you sin do you have great pain afterwards?

Needful you respond to this my friend

 

[Tone]

I fear everything. I fear myself, my past, people and even God. I doubt my salvation because of this. I've been doubting my faith and it's killing me. God has not delivered me from this and it saddens me. I even fear my dounts. I'm a mess. I feel in conflict every hour. Ugh.

One thing your fear does confirm, is that you are not yet perfected, but this is where hope will grow strong in you...a hope that will not disappoint.

1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

Romans 5:6
"5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. 6For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

Since none of us here have been perfected, yet,rest assured that you are not alone...we all suffer from fear to some degree, but we know that we dwell in a war zone, and the enemy uses many devices to attack our peace. This is all just noise and prayer to the Father through the Son empowers us with the Holy Spirit and this is greater than all the noise in this world.

1 John 4:4
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

 

[com7fy8]

Would you have hope for someone else who told you he or she had this problem? Love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7).

 

[Tone]

Also, @gore2828, have you ever considered that the fear isn't even your own...as I said, it is noise from the enemy to distract you from doing the work that He has prepared for you to do. Recognize that it is but shadow, pray against it, and step towards any perceived objects of your fear.

Ephesians 2:10
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

Believe me, I've been through many years of stifling "fear",but when I realized what it was, I knew I had to call upon Power from On High, because it is only a futile and temporary attempt, of the enemy, to keep us from taking possession of the land.

"2 Corinthians 10:3-5 — For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Luke 10:19-20 — Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 — Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

James 4:7 — Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Romans 8:35-39 — Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:31 — What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 John 4:4 — You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Isaiah 54:15-17 — Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. “Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler to destroy. No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.

2 Corinthians 2:14 — Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

Colossians 1:12-13 — giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed usinto the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Mark 16:16-18 — He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Isaiah 59:19 — So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him."
Bible Verses About: Spiritual Warfare & Believer’s Authority

 

[sunshineforJesus]

I struggle with anxiety but know the joy of the Lord is my strength.

 

[com7fy8]

I struggle with anxiety but know the joy of the Lord is my strength.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

God loves us; so He does not want us to suffer in anxiety, about anything; but enjoy being with Him in His peace; He wants to share with us, all the time.

Also, what we are thinking and deciding in anxiety can not be trusted. And God wants to take care of our hearts and minds in His own peace > He desires to so personally share with each of us. Our Heavenly Father wants us to trust only what He has us thinking and feeling and desiring in His peace.

 

[com7fy8]

God is the One who is able to take care of any problem. But also He blesses us with all which is good, of Himself, more and more. So, yes we all have failed in trying to deal with impossible trouble. But it is possible with God.

There is no one else to trust. Jesus is the way. So, we keep praying, we keep trusting You, LORD our Heavenly Father.

 

[Shempster]

Can a Christian be a follower of Jesus when they are riddled with fear? Can someone be a follower if grace hasn't overcome them? Can someone be a follower if they are full of doubt? Fear and sin run my life, no by choice but by my past. I beg God to deliver me from these but He doesn't. I love Jesus buy after 15 years as a Christian, my mind and body are still at war. There is so much conflict. I feel as though I can never be free.

I used to be exactly like that. It was aweful. I ended up in a terrible depression and on psychotropic prescription drugs (from my doctor) because of it.
The cause? I was fearful of God. I knew I could not measure up to Jesus standards. And the church kept saying "you're ok, you're ok because you believe", but that didn't work. I was raised believing that God was vicious and vindictive and that he will torture anyone who does what he hates.

It pretty much boils down to that.

 

[timothyu]

I was raised believing that God was vicious and vindictive and that he will torture anyone who does what he hates.

That is why the Gospel of the Kingdom was good news. It showed God acted the opposite of mankind. What you described is pure man through and through.

 

[com7fy8]

I fear everything.

So, it is good that we know it is wrong to fear.

And we have experienced how worry is a pathological liar, and bullying and abusive and violating. So, it is wise not to trust what fear and worry tell us, and never trust and obey what worry tells us and what worry would have us do.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" (in Psalm 23:5).

So, right in the presence of any enemies, at all, we can have all our Heavenly Father desires to share with us, of His own table prepared before us. Therefore, we have no justification to fear any enemy.

But fear can have us concerned about inferior things which our own egos want. And this can get our attention away from God. There are things and people which have become idols for people, and so they need to get free from those things. And stop fearing about what can happen to their idols.

 

[MyChainsAreGone]

Can a Christian be a follower of Jesus when they are riddled with fear? Can someone be a follower if grace hasn't overcome them? Can someone be a follower if they are full of doubt? Fear and sin run my life, no by choice but by my past. I beg God to deliver me from these but He doesn't. I love Jesus buy after 15 years as a Christian, my mind and body are still at war. There is so much conflict. I feel as though I can never be free.

In John 8:32, Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

When we are not free, it is a truth problem from beginning to end.

Sadly, however, we tend to view our lack of freedom as a strategy problem, or a faith problem, or a commitment problem.

But when we know--and act upon--the truth, freedom is the inescapable result... Jesus' words assure us of it. And I'm not talking about theological freedom, or mental freedom or some other watered-down version of freedom, but experiential freedom.

Here's how it works:

Whenever there is some sort of bondage (including fear), it means that somewhere in our hearts, we're believing a lie and we're acting as if that lie were true. When we do, we reap the harvest of the lie, which is bondage.

But when we identify the lie and choose the truth, we have to take the next step... and live as if the truth were true! When we do, we reap the harvest of the truth... which is freedom.

The problem is that when we've spent a lifetime reacting to things in life according to lies, even contemplating a decision to act any different way is very difficult, because our "default" responses in life are all based on the lie.

Imagine that you grew up and learned to drive in England or India... you'd have it deeply ingrained in you to drive on the left side of the road. But if you came to the USA, you might think, I just don't know why I'm having all these head-on collisions! It's not until you acknowledge the truth that the US drives on the right--and you start actually DRIVING on the right!--that you will experience head-on-collision-free driving. It's not enough to only mentally acknowledge "driving on the right," but you must also do it... no matter how weird and unnatural it feels to do so.

In the same way, when we have been living as if a lie were true all of our lives, it will feel very unnatural to act as if that lie were false, but that is the only path to freedom.

So... examine what you believe... examine what you fear, and why... Ask God to reveal to you where there are lies and ask Him to show you the truth that the lies have supplanted.

And then... no matter how hard it might be... intentionally make choices/decisions that could only be made if the truth were actually true. It might be scary at first, but I can tell on the authority of Jesus' words that you will be made free. Surprisingly free. Unexpectedly free.

I hope this makes sense, and I hope it makes a difference in your life.

David