HOW TO BE FILLED WITH SPIRITUAL BLESSING (9)

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE

HOW TO BE FILLED WITH SPIRITUAL BLESSING (9)

TOPIC - BE UNAFRAID TO FAIL

TEXT -  1SAMUEL 16:14-15, 1 KING 19:4

KEY VERSE -  “Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD (Jeremiah 1:8). 

INTRODUCTION 

“It’s not the critic who counts; not the person who points out how the strong person stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena; whose faces are marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strive valiantly; who err and come short again and again; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at the best know in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if they fail, at least fail while daring greatly; so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” (Theodore Roosevelt). There are millions of Christians who are doing absolutely nothing to get more of God. Then there are those who are studying and praying and forging forward through many spiritual struggles to get the power of God for themselves, for their church, for the sick and the oppressed, and for the glory of God and Christ. Though they may not yet have succeeded in obtaining the full power of the Holy Spirit, which of the two groups are the true failures? Let's trust the Holy Spirit for more insight as we study the subject.

COMMON ROOT OF FEAR OF FAILURE 

1. FEAR OF FAILURE ARE OFTEN ROOTED IN PHYSICAL ISSUES.

No doubt, this was the reason that Elijah struggled with fear, depression, and a desire to die after defeating Ahab and his prophets (cf. 1 Kgs 18). He ran in fear, asking for God to take his life (1 Kgs 19:4). His response didn’t make any sense. If he really wanted to die, why not just let Jezebel kill him instead of running away? However, God does not even correct him; he simply gives him a good meal and rest (v. 5–7). Elijah needed to eat and sleep. Sometimes, we just need to take a rest and eat good food. In order to battle fear, doubt, and discouragement, we need to know the root of it.

2. FEAR OF FAILURE  ARE OFTEN ROOTED IN SPIRITUAL    ATTACK.

To fear is ultimately to not trust God, and for that reason, Satan always seeks to draw people into fear. To have faith is to receive God’s promises and to fear will often draw people away from them. The Israelites feared the giants in the promised land and, therefore, received God’s judgment instead of his blessing. Many people miss God’s best because of fear. They say, “I can’t do this! This is impossible!”. Scripture calls Satan a roaring lion seeking to devour anyone he can (1 Pet 5:8). It has been said that lions roar to paralyze their prey. In the same way, Satan wants to paralyze us with fear so he can devour us and keep us from God’s best. (1 Sam 16:14–15). 

3. FEAR OF FAILURE ARE OFTEN ROOTED IN A WRONG FOCUS.

Like Peter walking on water, when he started to look at the wind and the waves, he became afraid and started to sink. Commonly, we do the same. All we see are problems, difficulties, and deadlines, instead of Christ, and therefore, we begin to sink. Since fear, doubt, and discouragement often come from a wrong focus, we need to develop a right focus. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” We gain this by focusing on Christ, as we prioritize our relationship with him.

WHAT ARE SOME CONSEQUENCES OF   LIVING IN FEAR OF FAILURE 

1. Fear often Results in Depression. Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of man bring depression.”

2. Fear or anxiety often leads to sin. We saw Abraham lie about his wife because he was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him to take her.

3. Fear will immobilize your spiritual life. Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man will prove to be a snare.” When a person gets caught in a snare, he can no longer move. Many Christians are no longer progressing spiritually because they are afraid of what people think, what people say or have said, or what people can do to them. Fear will immobilize us spiritually.

4. Fear will also make God’s Word unproductive in our lives. In describing the thorny ground, Matthew 13:22 

5. Failure is the cost of learning to do something right—it is the key to success. 

HOW SHOULD WE BATTLE FEAR OF FAILURE

1. Prayer, Fasting, constant study, confession and acting on God's word  

2. Recognize the Root and address it from the root   

3.  Have a Revelation of God 

4.  Choose to Reject Fear 

5. Believe God’s Promises

DISCUSS the following scripture base on the subject; Ps. 34:4-5, Ps. 23:4, Ps. 46:1-3

CONCLUSION 

One of the things that hampers those who would minister healing almost more than anything else is fear of failing, being afraid that when they pray for someone to be healed nothing will happen, and so they’ll look foolish—or even stupid—to everyone watching them. Those who say that such a thing has never happened to them are kidding themselves. It is a universal problem, and a fear you need to overcome. “Just keep believing, brother—just keep believing, sister,” and walk heartlessly away, leaving the sick to struggle with their faith, even try to get out of wheelchairs or off stretchers to “put their faith into action.

PRAYER: Oh Lord I reject the spirit of fear of failure, I receive the Spirit of boldness and courage to win and be victorious.

SALVATION: Lord Jesus, I confess and repent of all my sins, I accept your free gift of salvation, from today be my Lord and savior.