WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
OCTOBER 22, 2025
TOPIC: FEAR NOT!
BY T. O. BANSO
“For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25 New King James version).
Ephesians 5:16b says that the days are evil. But the verse does not say that because of this, the Ephesians should be afraid. God always tells His children not to fear. Many times, in the Bible, He said “fear not” or its variants. God told Abram, “Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1b American Standard Version). The angel of the LORD told Hagar in Genesis 21:17, “Fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is” (American Standard Version). God repeatedly assured Israel not to fear (Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14; 43:1, 5; 44:2).
So Paul, the writer of the book of Ephesians, did not say that the Ephesians should fear because of the evil days. Instead, Paul said, “Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days” (Ephesians 5:16 Good News Translation).
The devil tries to torment you with fear. He wants you to be terrified when adverse circumstances surround you. The Bible says fear involves torment (1 John 4:18). During a pandemic, as in the COVID-19 pandemic, Satan would want people to be afraid of infection. When there is a threat of one kind or the other, Satan afflicts people with fear, and many people see themselves already as victims. When some travellers pass through an accident scene or there is news of an air mishap at about the time they want to travel by air, Satan frightens them with the imagination of their involvement in a car accident or a plane crash.
Faith and fear don’t go together. Fear has been described as negative faith. Faith is different from foolishness; neither is it the same as presumption. Regardless of the adverse events happening around you, you must have faith in God. If you’re a child of God, you must have faith in Him to keep His promise that He will be with you and will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Don’t forget that the Bible says in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38 that the just shall live by faith. It also says in Habakkuk 2:4 that the just shall live by his faith.
God doesn’t want you to live in fear. Someone said FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Faith in God does not mean living carelessly, because God is your protection. Faith doesn’t test God. Faith does not deny the reality of danger; it does not mean you expose yourself to the risk of infection during a pandemic.
Someone working in faith believes the promises of God are superior to unfavourable circumstances or contrary evidence. He believes that the power of God is far greater than the danger around him. He takes natural precautions but believes in God to protect him from all harm. He confesses that no plague shall come near his dwelling (Psalm 91:10). He believes that a thousand may fall at his side, and ten thousand at his right hand, but it shall not come near him (verse 7). He also believes that only with his eyes he shall look and see the reward of the wicked (verse 8).
If you’re walking in faith, your expectations are positive, not negative. You avoid negative words but confess God’s promises. You won’t live in the fear of death because you know that Jesus, through His death, has destroyed the devil who had the power of death and released those who, through fear of death, were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Fear not! Job was blameless and upright, feared God, and shunned evil (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3). But He said, “For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, and what I dreaded has happened to me” (Job 3:25 New King James version). What Job feared, unfortunately, happened to him. He said, “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, for trouble comes” (Job 3:26 New King James Version). Fear not! He suffered adversity, including the loss of his family, property, and health.
Whatever your current negative condition, don’t let the devil terrify you that it will get worse. Fear not; rejoice; the Lord shall do a marvellous thing for you (Joel 2:21). God will save you; He will deliver you.
Fear not! Don’t be careless, but don’t be held in bondage by the fear of road accidents, plane crashes, armed robbery, failure, or the evil prevalent in your community or country, etc. Jesus said, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him” (Luke 12:4-5 New King James Version).
Fear not the devil, but don’t be ignorant of its devices! Have faith in God. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God.” He said further in Luke 17:6, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (New King James Version).
To have faith in God means to put your trust in Him. Have faith in God. Romans 10:17 tells us that faith comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of God. Therefore, feed on the Word of God, even amid adverse circumstances. Please don’t feed your fear; starve it, and feed your faith. This will cause your faith to flourish like the faith of the Thessalonians did (2 Thessalonians 1:3a).
Let the Word of God dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16a). Fill your heart with words of faith, not words of fear or unhelpful words. Faith speaks (2 Corinthians 4:13). Speak words of faith. Confess the Word of God. From the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34b). By your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned (verse 37).
Your faith in God is your victory. “Our faith is the victory that overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4b International Standard Version). Have faith in God and keep feeding your faith. “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20 Amplified Bible). Your faith will make you well or whole (Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:34, 10:52; Luke 8:48; 17:19). Fear not!
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I shall live by faith, not by fear. By faith, I have victory over every adverse circumstance, disease, or problem. I am a victor; I shall not be a victim. I shall not die; I shall live and declare the works of God.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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