ARE YOU LIVING WITH FAITH OR LIVING IN FEAR?
By
Dr. Phyllis J. Arno
Faith is a fruit of the Spirit and available to all.
Love, Joy, Peace,
Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness,
FAITH, Meekness, Temperance
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
Living with faith means that you are grounded on the solid rock-JESUS.
Living in fear means that you are NOT grounded on the solid rock.
Living in fear means that your house is built on the sand.
The sand contains:
hatred sadness retaliation
insecurity frustration bitterness
stress unforgiveness violence
disbelief unhappiness hypocrisy
guilt jealousy depression
anxiety criticism murder
prejudice drugs vengeance
anger resentment alcohol
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT FAITH
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Romans 10:17: So, then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God
I Peter 1:7: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
I Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life…
II Timothy 4:7: I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
James 2:26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT REWARDS OF FAITH
Power to become the sons of God. See John 1:12
Power to do mighty works. See John 14:12
Kept in perfect peace. See Isaiah 26:3
Kept safe. See Proverb 29:25
Having assurance of prayer answered. See I John 5:14
Will not be confounded (confused). See I Peter 2:6
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT FEAR
There are good fears and bad. The latter kind come from wrong believing and open the door to doubt and hinder the flow of God’ power.
The Greek word “deilia” is for a cowardly fear; not being able to face a problem, but rather, running from it.
There is also the fear of people or things, based on perceptions and/or lies.
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. See I John 4:18
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from ALL my fears. See Psalm 34:4
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. See II Timothy 1:7
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. See Isaiah 41:10
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil (fear of dying). See Psalm 23:4
See also Psalm 91 and Psalm 121.
PLEASE REMEMBER, FEAR CAN PARALYZE YOU SO THAT YOU CANNOT OPERATE IN FAITH. IF FEAR IS IN CONTROL, IT WILL PUSH OUT FAITH.
LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE FEARS OF A CHOLERIC IN INCLUSION
Fear of losing control in social situations.
When they are involved in a social event, they want to be the one in control. They need to learn to work together with others.
Fear of being discovered that they are “A Great Pretender.”
They tend to be like a chameleon; they can be outgoing and personable or they can be laid back and be an observer. Sometimes they may feel that they do not even know who they really are. They need to learn to be genuine with themselves and others and take off their “mask” when dealing with people.
Fear of being called “people users.”
They fear that people will discover that they are using them to accomplish their goals. They need to learn that God wants them to motivate people, not use or manipulate them.
LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE FEARS OF A CHOLERIC IN CONTROL
Fear of not receiving recognition and approval.
They may fear that they are not going to receive the recognition and approval that they believe they should receive for a job well-done. They need to look to the Lord first for their recognition and approval.
Fear that others will not respect their leadership abilities.
They may fear that others may rejects their leadership abilities, especially if they questions their motives or disagree with their plan of action. They need to learn that not everyone will always agree with their ideas and plans; therefore, they need to learn to be open to the suggestions of others.
Fear rejection so they may walk into a room full of people and become like a Sanguine and be the “life of the party or meeting”.
They may fear that if they don’t become the center of attention and promote themselves, they will be rejected. The attention of people is an encouragement to keep them motivated. They need to learn to seek the Lord first and He will give them all the encouragement that they need.
LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE FEARS OF A CHOLERIC IN AFFECTION
Fear of not being in Control with their intimate relationships.
They may fear that their intimate relationships will not submit to their desires, fantasies and demands. They need to learn that their intimate relationships also have desires and fantasies.
Fear their intimate relationships will find out that they may be using love and affection as a means to get what they want.
They may fear that their intimate relationships will leave them if they find out that they are just using them for their own sexual needs. They need to learn to not use love and affection as a means of getting what they want.
Fear their intimate relationships will discover that they can be cold, unemotional, domineering, angry and vindictive and that they wear a mask to charm them.
They may fear that their intimate relationships will see through their mask and discover who they really are. They need to learn to be genuine with their intimate relationships as they also have feelings and do not like to be used or manipulated. In other words, they need to learn to be more considerate of the wants and feelings of their intimate relationships.
“A Choleric is a Choleric is a Choleric.” In other words, a Choleric needs people. It does not matter whether they are a Choleric in Inclusion, Control or Affection, the bottom line is: THEY NEED PEOPLE!
Please remember these are temperament tendencies. Their walk with the Lord, their birth order and their learned behavior will tend to affect their temperament.
It is important to let them know these are tendencies and because of the effects of the above, some of the tendencies may not apply to them.
You must also remember that there are no good or bad temperaments. God created all temperaments with strengths, weaknesses and needs.
When you are disseminating the APS tendencies to your counselees, you need to start out by saying: “People with your temperament tend to do….”. By doing this, you are letting them know that they are not the only ones with this temperament.