Love for a Lifetime Discussion Day 4

Good Morning!

Day 4

Last night I asked the Lord, “What is hindering me from walking in love the way You called me to love?” And He brought this scripture to mind… “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18). I immediately knew that this was the truth!

Fear is one of the most powerful and destructive tools that the enemy uses against us, especially as it relates to our love walk. We base our decisions to love or not to love on one of two things: Fear or Faith! Fear paralyzes us and tells us not to love because someone may take advantage of us or that our love won’t be returned as it was given. Sometimes fear will cause us to think that we shouldn’t love because we’re just going to get hurt…again. The scripture says that fear has to do with punishment…and so many times we operate in fear because we are scared that we will be punished by others and even by God. This is a LIE from the enemy. The TRUTH is that God’s perfect love has come to us…to DRIVE OUT the fear and brings us to FAITH!

Faith helps us to see things in a new light. Faith tells us that even if someone does hurt us or take advantage of us that it doesn’t matter because it’s not about us. It reminds us that even the things that the devil meant for evil; God is working it for our good. Faith tells us to keep hope alive and keep on loving…no matter what! Faith says we can love abundantly because the God of the Universe loves us abundantly! Faith says God is our source of unfailing love and not my feelings!

Today, I challenge you to love in faith and not fear. Recognize the lies that the enemy is telling you and cast them down with the Word. Remember, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Research – 1 John 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 34:4; Proverbs 29:25; Deuteronomy 3:22

Relate – How have you let fear control your love walk? What negative tapes play in your mind as they relate to fear and love?

Respond – Speak faith over your love relationships. Call those things that are not as though they are!

Reflect – In what other areas of your life are you allowing fear and not faith to control your actions?

Discussion Question – What will it take for you to love in faith and not fear?