Introduction:
I think it is safe to say that if you have a supernatural experience you will feel fear and anxiety. This is certainly true if your experience is demonic because demonic and tormenting spirits use fear as a weapon to control their victims.The purposeful production of fear by a spirit during a supernatural encounter is one way we can generally tell the difference between what is Godly or demonic, for as Scripture says in 2 Timothy 1:7(KJV) "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"
However, fear of the paranormal can have another even more devastating result, it can keep you from experiencing God supernaturally and that is exactly what Satan wants.
Fear God?
The Bible is very clear in stating that we should “fear” God (e.g. 1 Peter 2:17). However, the word fear as used in the Bible really means that we are to hold a reverent respect and an attitude of honor towards God. It does not mean that we are to be terrorized by the Presence of God but to be in awe of and revere Him.
Now having said that, you may be sure that if you really experience the Power of the Holy Spirit in action you will feel fear. In fact you may be in terror at the magnitude of sheer power released by the Holy Spirit. Here are just two examples of this fear reaction in Scripture:
It is interesting that in the first Scripture, the disciples identified the figure walking on the water as a ghost. They knew it was not possible for a man to walk on water so they erroneously concluded that it was a ghost, and one that had a bad intent towards them at that. This is a normal fear reaction to the paranormal, so in paranormal investigations and in deliverance ministry this fear should be accepted as a warning sign that something is very wrong. Demons and spirits of the lost, tormenting spirits and generally all those out of Sheol will produce fear and that fear should be seriously considered as a sign of danger. When the hair on the back of your neck stands up, your feet should be moving you out of contact . If you are a member of a deliverance team, that fear should be a warning that you should proceed with caution and that you may have a real battle on your hands.
Fear Not
God does not want us to fear Him in the sense that we cringe away from His Presence. In this first Scripture, Jesus understood their fear and reassured them that He was not a ghost or a demon and that they were to meet Him face to face and not allow fear to overcome them.
In the second Scripture, the disciples had a total paranormal experience which was visual (bright cloud), auditory (voice), and physical ( became so weak that they fell down on their faces). With the awesome Presence of God added to this mix they most certainly experienced sheer terror. Once again this is an initial and natural response to the paranormal. This type of fear and terror was understood by Christ, so he got them back up on their feet and told them not to fear.
Conclusion
In both Scriptures, the natural fear produced by a supernatural experience with God was controllable by the people having the experience, that is, in both cases Jesus told them to take control and not allow fear to dominate. Supernatural experiences with God may initially produce fear but that is not the purpose of the experience. It is up to the person who is having the experience to deal with fear and not allow it to interrupt the purpose of the experience. Yet, Christians who have had no real supernatural encounters with God, are not able to control their normal human reactions. In fact, I have seen those who were actually experiencing the Godly paranormal react to God as if He was a ghost – and run away in fear
Christians who never overcome their fear of the power of the Holy Spirit will do whatever is necessary to avoid having such an experience. They will ridicule a church which allows people to have such experiences, and they will go so far as to blasphemy the Holy Spirit by calling His Power and Presence the “work of the Devil”. Ultimately, what is truly sad about these Christians is that God’s purpose for the experience was never fulfilled because they ran away instead of following the advice of Christ: “50…
Got a problem with the paranormal or have a question you would like one of our authors to discuss? Fill out a Confidential Help Request Form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If you would like to discuss this topic go to the Discussion Forum by clicking on the "Discussion Forum" link on the right side of this blog. If you have not made a commitment to Jesus and you would like to do so now, then click HERE to go to a page that will show you how to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
I think it is safe to say that if you have a supernatural experience you will feel fear and anxiety. This is certainly true if your experience is demonic because demonic and tormenting spirits use fear as a weapon to control their victims.The purposeful production of fear by a spirit during a supernatural encounter is one way we can generally tell the difference between what is Godly or demonic, for as Scripture says in 2 Timothy 1:7(KJV) "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"
However, fear of the paranormal can have another even more devastating result, it can keep you from experiencing God supernaturally and that is exactly what Satan wants.
Fear God?
The Bible is very clear in stating that we should “fear” God (e.g. 1 Peter 2:17). However, the word fear as used in the Bible really means that we are to hold a reverent respect and an attitude of honor towards God. It does not mean that we are to be terrorized by the Presence of God but to be in awe of and revere Him.Now having said that, you may be sure that if you really experience the Power of the Holy Spirit in action you will feel fear. In fact you may be in terror at the magnitude of sheer power released by the Holy Spirit. Here are just two examples of this fear reaction in Scripture:
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Matthew 14:25-27 (ESV)5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”
Matthew 17:5-7 (ESV)It is interesting that in the first Scripture, the disciples identified the figure walking on the water as a ghost. They knew it was not possible for a man to walk on water so they erroneously concluded that it was a ghost, and one that had a bad intent towards them at that. This is a normal fear reaction to the paranormal, so in paranormal investigations and in deliverance ministry this fear should be accepted as a warning sign that something is very wrong. Demons and spirits of the lost, tormenting spirits and generally all those out of Sheol will produce fear and that fear should be seriously considered as a sign of danger. When the hair on the back of your neck stands up, your feet should be moving you out of contact . If you are a member of a deliverance team, that fear should be a warning that you should proceed with caution and that you may have a real battle on your hands.
Fear Not
God does not want us to fear Him in the sense that we cringe away from His Presence. In this first Scripture, Jesus understood their fear and reassured them that He was not a ghost or a demon and that they were to meet Him face to face and not allow fear to overcome them.
In the second Scripture, the disciples had a total paranormal experience which was visual (bright cloud), auditory (voice), and physical ( became so weak that they fell down on their faces). With the awesome Presence of God added to this mix they most certainly experienced sheer terror. Once again this is an initial and natural response to the paranormal. This type of fear and terror was understood by Christ, so he got them back up on their feet and told them not to fear.
Conclusion
In both Scriptures, the natural fear produced by a supernatural experience with God was controllable by the people having the experience, that is, in both cases Jesus told them to take control and not allow fear to dominate. Supernatural experiences with God may initially produce fear but that is not the purpose of the experience. It is up to the person who is having the experience to deal with fear and not allow it to interrupt the purpose of the experience. Yet, Christians who have had no real supernatural encounters with God, are not able to control their normal human reactions. In fact, I have seen those who were actually experiencing the Godly paranormal react to God as if He was a ghost – and run away in fear
Christians who never overcome their fear of the power of the Holy Spirit will do whatever is necessary to avoid having such an experience. They will ridicule a church which allows people to have such experiences, and they will go so far as to blasphemy the Holy Spirit by calling His Power and Presence the “work of the Devil”. Ultimately, what is truly sad about these Christians is that God’s purpose for the experience was never fulfilled because they ran away instead of following the advice of Christ: “50…
‘Do not fear; only believe, …..’Luke 8:50 (ESV)
Got a problem with the paranormal or have a question you would like one of our authors to discuss? Fill out a Confidential Help Request Form and we will get back to you as soon as we can. If you would like to discuss this topic go to the Discussion Forum by clicking on the "Discussion Forum" link on the right side of this blog. If you have not made a commitment to Jesus and you would like to do so now, then click HERE to go to a page that will show you how to become a follower of Jesus Christ.
