Fear is real and it is paralyzing. A world in flux has produced a world filled with fear. Frequently I hear someone quote 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We know the spirit of fear is not of God, but how do we combat the spirit of fear when it comes? 

In the heart of the verse is a word that seems almost out of place. In fact, it is right where it is supposed to be. It is the word, love. 

In God’s Word the opposite of fear is not fearlessness. It is love. This is because the answer to wrong emotions and thoughts is not finding a better feeling; it is in coming into the presence of God. God is love. In His presence all fear flees. 

Recently as I walked through the little book of 1 John I rediscovered 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.”

The way to conquer fear is through love. Fear brings torment; love brings liberty. How do you keep a mind filled with love and free of fear?

1. Think much on the love of God for you. 1 John 4 is about the nature of God. The previous verse, 1 John 4:17, refers to the greatest fear that men have – the fear of the day of judgment. But when you know the Judge personally and have had your sins forgiven there is nothing to fear! Spend time meditating in God’s Word, rehearsing God’s gracious work in your life, and fellowshipping with the One who loves you perfectly. As you do a deeper consciousness of His unending, unstoppable love will fill your thoughts. 
2. Give much love to the Lord in return. The very next verse declares, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). As God reveals more of His unfathomable love for us we are to respond in love to Him. Tell the Lord you love HIm. Worship Christ. Sing to your great God. Real communion with Jesus will drive out lesser thoughts. When the Lord gets big in your heart everything and everyone else is very small! Speak of your love for Jesus today instead of your fear of other things. Whatever you talk about will consume your attention. 
3. Share much of the love of God with others. 1 John 4:21 says, “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” The outgrowth of God’s love for us and the outflow of our love for Him will be an outpouring of love to others. Remember the first commandment is to love God “and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39). Everything reproduces after its own kind. Love begets love.

Here is the amazing secret: as we concentrate on loving others we find victory over our own fears. God turned the captivity of Job when he prayed for his friends (Job 42:10). His greatest captivity was not his circumstances it was his fear (Job 3:25)! As we minister the love of God to those around us our attention is turned away from self and fear begins to die. The unselfish mind of Christ is not filled with fear because it is controlled by love.

The answer to fear is love, love, love! God’s love for us, our love for Him, His love for others through us. Yes, “perfect love casteth out fear.”

Repeatedly John talks about having love perfected in us (1 John 2:5; 4:12, 17, 18). Perfect means complete. Our minds and hearts completely filled with the love of God, and His love bringing a completeness to our lives. Instead of asking God to take away your fear today, ask Him to give you a more perfect love.

Only the love of God can conquer fear.

(Read more about “Dealing with Fear” here.)