Fear: Faith's Defeat
Jesus goes to great lengths to explain the meaning of the parable of the sower (Mk. 4:10-34). The Word of God sown into the hearts of man works like the planting of a natural seed. It must be planted in good ground and cared for, then the seed (the Word) will produce; it will bring forth harvest. Satan, the thief (Jn. 10:10), does not want any Christian to enjoy the abundant life, so he comes as soon as the Word goes forth with the intention to take away the Word (Mk. 4:15). How does he do it? Jesus says that there are five weapons that the devil uses. The first one is affliction – pressure; something that burdens your spirit; (2) persecution – trouble or torment; abuse; (3) cares of this world – mental suffering, grief, concern, anxiety, worry, apprehension (all centered in fear – no faith in God’s Word; (4) deceitfulness of riches – the love of money and things more than God (more than His Word); and (5) lusts of other things – a longing for what is forbidden.
The very same day of Jesus’ teaching the parable of the sower, the disciples experience it. Jesus said in John 5:19, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” Evidently, Jesus had seen in prayer His Father going to the Gadarenes and delivering a man of many demons (Mk. 5). Because of this, Jesus told His disciples, “Let us pass over unto the other side.” Jesus spoke the Word to the disciples, and satan attempts to come immediately and steal that Word. The problem was not in obedience. They along with Jesus headed toward the Gadarenes in a ship. Satan chooses in this case a storm to hinder Jesus’ Word. The storm was so severe that waves of water were pouring into the ship. The disciples are afflicted, persecuted by satan, and the cares were bombarding the disciples. Their circumstances caused them to fear death at sea. In their torment, they quickly awakened Jesus who was fast asleep and said, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?”
Satan’s word was “You will perish”, but Jesus’ Word was “Let us pass over unto the other side.” Satan has stolen the Word out of the disciples’ hearts. Jesus arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind ceased and the sea became calm (v. 39). Jesus says to the disciples, “Why are ye so fearful (full of fear)? How is it that ye have no faith?” They were fearful and had no faith because they allowed satan’s storm to rob the Word.
I want to encourage you to hold to God’s Word. Obey what He says and do not allow the devil to bring his five weapons to stop you. Oh, he will try; but when he does, rebuke him in Jesus’ name, declare God’s peace and calm in your life, and stand fast on what He has spoken.