Creflo A. Dollar's Blog, page 4

Cohabitation and Sex Before Marriage: A Recipe for Disaster – by Creflo Dollar

by: Creflo Dollar

There are born-again Believers who live according to the norms of society instead of the standards God has set for us in His Word. The temptation to do this is great, and in many cases, Christians have been deceived into believing there is nothing wrong with what they are doing. Television and the motion picture industry have played a huge role in this deception by displaying people living “happily” in ways that oppose the Word of God. A prime example of this are shows and movies that display couples who cohabitate and have sex before marriage. As Believers, we must remember that just because an idea, concept, or way of life is acceptable in society, it doesn’t mean it is right in God’s eyes. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:12 that “Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me; but not all things are helpful (good for me to do, expedient and profitable when considered with other things). Everything is lawful for me, but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power” (The Amplified Bible). Although certain lifestyles are not necessarily against the law, they are not acceptable by God’s standards. Cohabitation and sex before marriage places a tremendous strain on two people who are trying to live holy, and it opens the door to temptation. Yet, some Christian couples believe living together is okay. They justify it with the reasoning that it saves money while they are planning their wedding. Then there are those couples who think it’s okay as long as they are not having sex. However, the Bible says we should abstain from the appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Although their way may seen right, God’s perspective is the only one that matters. Another misconception among Believers is that it is okay to have sex with their partners if they are engaged. Their mentality is: We’re going to get married anyway. The Bible teaches us that fornication (sex without a marriage license) is wrong! (1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 6:18). God has not changed His mind about this, and He will not bend His own rules because Believers have decided not to take His Word seriously. God didn’t create His statues to spoil your fun but rather to protect you from harm. Sex outside of marriage can blur your judgment, stunt your spiritual growth, prevent you from developing a healthy relationship with the opposite sex, and can possibly cause you to have a broken heart when your expectations are not fulfilled. Additionally, sex outside of marriage will stunt the emotional development you need as a couple. Additionally, a sexual relationship outside of marriage is usually based on the world’s definition of love, which is essentially emotional and selfish. People enter these relationships fantasizing about a “perfect” life with a “perfect” person. They have the illusion of love that is portrayed in the movies, but emotional love doesn’t last long because it is based on feelings, and feelings change. However, lasting relationships are sustained by agapé love (the God-kind of love), which is unconditional and based on a decision, not feelings. When you truly love someone, you should be willing to wait until you are married to take advantage of marital privileges such as sex and cohabitation. God does not want us to selfishly take from others to satisfy our own desires. Real love always gives the advantage, and never takes advantage. So, decide today to begin viewing your relationships as opportunities to develop in unconditional love. You’ll be so glad you did.

Scripture References: 1 Corinthians 6:12 1 Thessalonians 5:22 1 Thessalonians 4:3 1 Corinthians 6:18

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: Imitating the Father

by: Creflo Dollar

How do we imitate the Father? One of the ways we imitate Him is by speaking faith—filled words. An example of this is in Genesis 1:1—5. God saw the Earth dark and void, and instead of complaining about the situation He said, “Let there be light.” He spoke into existence what He wanted to see. He had faith in His words and things obeyed Him. God gave us His creative ability—to speak faith—filled words. The creation story clearly demonstrates how we are to imitate the Father. By doing so, we can change the negative circumstances in our lives.

Another way we imitate God is by patterning ourselves after Jesus, who always imitated the Father. For example, a violent storm came as He and the disciples sailed across a lake. While Jesus slept peacefully, water poured into the boat and the wind beat against it. The disciples panicked, and awoke Jesus. They asked Him, ‘”… do You not care that we are perishing?'” (Mark 4:38, AMP). Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the rain, saying “…Peace, be still.” And suddenly there was a great calm. He spoke faith—filled words that changed the situation, just as God did in the beginning. Jesus asked the disciples, ‘”…Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust?)”‘ (Mark 4:40, AMP).

When I was a child, I was influenced by society. Often I behaved like those I admired, some of whom were people who were not following God. I did not know that by following them I was imitating the world. I later learned that a worldly perspective fosters fear instead of faith.

For years, I lived without knowing the truth. I did not know my true identity in Christ because I did not know God’s Word. But someone introduced me to Jesus, and after making Him my Lord and Savior, I discovered I had been adopted into God’s family. That decision changed my destiny! I eventually learned how to view life from God’s perspective. As a son of God, I desire to be a reflection of Him (Ephesians 5:1).

My question for you is, who are you imitating? Are you following God or the world? If you have decided to follow God, act like Him. Speak like Him. Imitate His character, which is found in His Word.

The Bible is not a history book. It is the manual for life. When you study the Word of God, you develop a personal relationship with the Father. Then, you begin to gain understanding on how to mirror Him. When you imitate the Father, like Jesus, you will make a mark in the lives of others that can never be erased!

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Dr. Creflo Dollar: God’s Love is Unfailing

by: Dr. Creflo Dollar

When things go wrong in your life, do you look to the world’s methods of solving problems before going to God? Do you put more trust in the institutions of this world’s system than you do the Word of God? As Christians, we must put our hope and faith in God’s way of doing things. This type of trust only develops by cultivating your relationship with Him.

How would you feel if you had a way to help someone you loved but you were the last person they turned to? That could be hurtful because you never want to be someone’s last resort, particularly if you have a relationship with them and they know you well. Likewise, God does not want you to choose Him after everything else you have tried has failed. As your heavenly Father, He wants to be the one you come to first.

Throughout His Word, God is always communicating the message to His children, “If you would give me top consideration, I will prove Myself to you. I will feed you. I will clothe you. I will take care of you. You don’t have to worry.”

Many people cannot understand this type of love. Perhaps because they have never been shown unconditional love, they fail to understand how someone could love them this way. They have a difficult time accepting that our Heavenly Father loves us so much He gave His only begotten Son to save us from our sins. He forgives us time and time again, presenting us with new opportunities to serve Him each day.

Today, I want you to see Him as a loving Father who wants to pour out His blessings upon your life. He wants to chase you down with mercy, grace, and favor! He wants to spend time fellowshipping with you as He would a best friend, but you must be willing to take time to develop your relationship with Him.

God knows everything you need before you ask Him. I know you are probably thinking, Well, if He knows, why don’t He just give them to me? Maybe you have not asked Him according to His Word! Or, you may have asked with selfish, lustful motives. You may have neglected to give Him priority in your life. However, you can make a correction starting today!

God reveals His loving nature through His Word because He is love. Time and time again throughout my life He has showered me with His love through His Word. I had to get acquainted with His Word by studying and meditating on it. I had to develop that personal relationship on my own.

Our relationship with Him can serve as a model for all our relationships. When we live our life according to His Word, we learn to love people unconditionally. God is the designer of healthy, loving relationships. Through His Word He urges all mankind to choose Him, draw near to Him, trust Him, believe Him, and to never forget His love for us.

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: The Power of Choice

by: Creflo Dollar

The more I meditate on the Word of God and study His character, the more I gain revelation of certain truths about who He is and how He operates. One thing I love about God is that He is not a harsh dictator who forces us to do anything. He is a loving God, who has given each and every person on earth the power to make his or her own choices. The gift of free will is one thing that characterizes God as a Father. He gives us His guidelines for life in His Word and then allows us to make our own choices. We have the power to choose a life of blessings or curses. Our futures are completely in our hands. Deuteronomy 30:15-19 is a foundation scripture passage that communicate the power of choice very clearly. It says: See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live. Here we see God putting two courses of action before us: a good course that leads to eternal life and an evil course that leads to death, which is separation from God. He commands us to love Him and keep His commandments because doing so positions us for blessings in life. But He also warns that if we turn away from His Word and begin to exalt other things higher than His commands, there is a grave consequence. He says that following the evil path will cause us to perish in the end. These two realities—life and death—are non-negotiable. Proverbs 14:12 says that there is a way that seems right to a person but the end is death. When we choose to ignore God’s instructions to us in His Word and go with our own ideas about how to live our lives, we are headed for destruction. It is an inevitable result of choosing a way that goes against God’s directives. There is power in choice. God can’t and won’t make us do anything, and the devil certainly can’t force us into anything we don’t willingly agree to. For this reason, the responsibility for the direction of our lives is in our hands. Jesus said He came to bring life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10); but it is up to us to make the decision to choose His way. Holiness is choosing God, and it always leads to a destination that is favorable. It is the way of doing things and living life that is in agreement with the Bible. There are so many benefits to choosing God, including eternal life after we die, peace, joy, a more intimate relationship with God, wisdom, insight, and the empowerment to prosper in our life’s endeavors. With all of this going for us, why would we even think about following our own will instead of God’s will? Each of us will have to make the decision whether or not we will make God’s Word our final authority in life. The world would have you to believe there is no profit in serving God, but that simply isn’t true. When we obey God and do things His way, we perfect holiness and please Him. We also cultivate an intimate relationship with Him and put ourselves in a position to hear Him speak to us regarding our futures and what He would have us to do. There is so much power in choice, so who are you going to follow? Choose God and His way, and you won’t be disappointed!

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: God’s Formula for Success

by: Creflo Dollar

Living in the kingdom of God has tremendous benefits. As Believers, we must make it a priority to do things God’s way so we can access what He has made available to us through His Word. There is a formula for success in the kingdom of God, and if we follow it, we will get consistent results. This requires a renewing of our minds and a willingness to do things differently. God’s method of operation is completely different from the world’s way. It requires faith, diligence, and consistency in executing certain spiritual principles. By following His plan, we can see manifestation in our lives, not some of the time, but all the time.

The first step to manifestation in the kingdom of God is to speak God’s Word. Many times, a person’s heart is full of faith but that faith never gets released into the atmosphere because he or she doesn’t actually say what God has said! Speaking the Word of God is critical to getting results in the kingdom.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and if you’re not saying anything, you’re not creating anything. Keeping the Word in our mouths at all times is vital because of the creative power of words. Hebrews 10:23 says, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” Our “profession” is our confession, or what we profess from the Word of God. We should make this a continual practice as the apostle Paul instructs. Continually speaking God’s Word through regular confessions also repels the enemy. Satan cannot stand against a Believer who has a revelation of the power of speaking the scriptures.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” We can see from the scripture that “talking” the Word should be done on an ongoing basis.

The second step in God’s formula for success is to meditate on God’s Word. Meditation is simply pondering, considering, and muttering the Word of God. When we meditate on God’s Word, it expands our capacity for faith and transforms our ability to believe and receive. By meditating on the Word we fix our minds and set our hearts on the desired result we are seeking.

Psalm 1:1-3 says that the man who is empowered to prosper is the one who meditates on the Word day and night. This is the same approach we should take while spending time seriously pondering the scriptures. We can meditate the Word by applying it practically to our lives, putting ourselves in agreement with it, speaking it, and realizing its integrity. Meditating on the Word makes our way prosperous (Joshua 1:8).

The third step in God’s formula for success is to act on the Word of God. Faith without works is dead, which means it is not enough to simply hear the Word and believe it, but we must also act on it in order to get to our destination. Faith is a practical expression of our confidence in God and His Word. Many times, Christians get preoccupied with the spiritual side of things and neglect to do anything practical in the natural realm. When God speaks a Word, whether through the written scriptures or a rhema Word spoken to the heart, it requires some type of corresponding action on our part.

God’s formula for success is fail-proof. Speaking the Word releases faith, meditating on it builds the image of it on the inside of you, and stepping out on what the Word says connects you to the promised manifestation. The result is success and absolute victory in every area of your life!

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: Authorized to Win

Author: Creflo Dollar

Did you know that you have been authorized by God? By that I mean that you have been given power, or divine authority, to rule over every situation and circumstance you encounter. Having continual victory over the devil depends on whether or not you understand your position in Christ and appropriate the power that has been given to you.

As a child of God, you have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s Son, Jesus. You are no longer subject to the law of sin and death that governs the world’s system. As an unbeliever, you had no choice but to submit to Satan’s rule; you were under his jurisdiction and had no authority over him. However, the moment you accepted Jesus into your heart, everything changed. On that day, God authorized you to tread on all of the power of the enemy in the name of Jesus (Luke 10:19).

To take advantage of your God-given authority as a Believer, you must first understand your spiritual position from God’s viewpoint. Ephesians 2:4-6 says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together…and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus…” There is no reason for you to live below the standards God has set for you. Lack, sickness, poverty and bondage to demonic oppression have no place in the life of a Christian. You have been given a royal position in God’s eyes because you are seated in heavenly places with Jesus!

That’s good news! It means that if you are being whipped by the devil, it’s because you either don’t know your rights or you aren’t taking the initiative to exercise them. Because of the creative power invested in the Word of God, and because you have been created in God’s image and likeness as a speaking spirit (Genesis 1:27), you have the authority to speak to any situation that doesn’t line up with the Word and command it to leave.

Understand that you have been given authority. It is part of your salvation package. To not walk in it is to remain defeated. That’s like someone giving you an expensive gift and you refusing to open it. You’ll never partake of the contents of that gift if you don’t receive it. The same is true with the Believer’s authority. You must receive it by faith and then exercise it every chance you get. When Satan sees that you are proficient and confident in your authority, he won’t know the difference between you and Jesus.

As part of the body of Christ, your position of authority is undeniable. Ephesians 1:20-23 says:

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.

All things have been placed under your feet. In fact, you are so far above Satan and his demonic forces that he can’t touch you unless you give him access. Jesus has already conquered the devil, and you are seated in the same place of victory with him.

In order to use your authority successfully, you’ll have to meditate on the Word of God until your heart is established on God’s promises. This will produce faith in your spirit. Then, when you speak the Word of God, power is released that causes things to change in your life. The ability to rearrange situations and circumstances is in your mouth. The Scripture says that demons and sickness were banished from people’s lives because of one word that Jesus spoke (Matthew 8:8-16, 32). That same power and authority lies in your mouth, too.

Don’t wait another day to start walking in your rightful place as a Christian. Meditate on the Word of God and become proficient at wielding the sword of the Spirit. When you know who you are and whose you are, nothing can come against you and succeed—that’s what I call power!

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: A Mini Version of God

Author: Creflo Dollar

It is amazing to watch the development of a child’s relationship with his parents. At an early age, the child mimics his parents’ every move. He says the same things his parents say and does the same things his parents do. In other words, he becomes a mini version of his parents. But as he grows older, things may begin to change. Outside influences such as television, popular music and pressure from his friends can alter his way of thinking.

Conflicts arise when a child begins to distance himself from his parents’ values and way of thinking. Sometimes, a child’s thinking can move so far out of alignment with his parents’ that it’s difficult to imagine that he and his parents are related. This is true with many Christians today. They proudly wear the title of Christian, but their thinking doesn’t line up with the Word. Nothing that they say or do bears any resemblance to their heavenly Father.

As a born-again Believer, you should look exactly like God. You should think, speak and act like Him. In fact, you should be so much like your Father that people can’t tell you apart! When you act and speak like God, you are walking in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is not about adopting insincere gestures of piousness, such as jerking while you pray or refusing to work on the Sabbath. Rather, walking in the Spirit is an act of faith that begins with the Word. It is walking in the righteousness of God and walking in holiness. Walking in the Spirit is aligning your thinking with God and what He says in His Word.

In order to agree with God’s Word, you must first know God’s Word. Contrary to what you may have learned in the past, the Bible is not a book of restrictions designed to hinder your pursuit of happiness. Instead, it is a manual for transformation. You don’t read the Bible just to learn what not to do; you read the Bible to transform your thinking so that it lines up with God’s thinking.

To determine whether or not you’re walking in the Spirit, examine your thoughts. Basically, your thoughts are a reflection of what you know. The question is, What do you know? Do you know what the world says, or do you know what the Word says? When it comes to your finances, for example, do you know what the world says about making money, or do you know what God says—that He has given you the power to obtain wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18)? When it comes to your health, are you convinced of a doctor’s diagnosis of sickness, or are you confident that by Jesus’ stripes you have already been healed (Isaiah 53:5)? What do you know?

When you walk in the Spirit, you can defeat any fleshy thought that enters your mind (Galatians 5:16). As you continue to read the Word and adopt God’s thoughts as your own, you’ll begin to resemble your heavenly Father—you’ll be a mini version of God!

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: Do You Know Him?

Author: Creflo Dollar

During His ministry on earth, Jesus performed many miracles. The Gospels are full of the accounts of His miraculous feats: He opened blinded eyes, raised the dead, cast out demons and healed people with leprosy and other diseases (Matthew 4:24; Matthew 15:30; Mark 8:23; Luke 7:21; John 12:9). But what does all of this mean for you? If you are a born-again Believer, the same power that enabled Jesus to perform miracles is also available to you!

In John 14:12 (AMP), Jesus said, “I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.” This power, which is the ability to get results, is available to you by way of the Holy Spirit. He is the third Person of the Godhead (or Trinity). He is a gift from God and is your eternal companion (Acts 2:38; John 14:16). Part of His ministry is to help Believers to operate in God’s capacity on the earth.

When you become born again, the Holy Spirit is poured into your heart, planting a “power seed.” As a result, you become the evidence of the Word and can demonstrate God’s power to others (Acts 1:8).

You must have God’s power to live a successful Christian life. You need His ability, efficiency and might in order to perform miracles. Even Jesus needed to be infused with power. Luke 3:21-22 says:

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

It was only after the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus that He was able to get results in His ministry (Luke 4:14-15). Miracles, signs and wonders followed Him everywhere He went!

The life of the Apostle Peter is another example of how crucial it is to have the Holy Spirit with you. During Jesus’ arrest, Peter denied Jesus three times. But after the Holy Spirit came on Peter, he boldly preached about Jesus—even when He was told not to (Acts 4:10, 19-20). When it comes to living a fruitful Christian life, following the Holy Spirit is not optional; it is a necessity.

If you don’t know the Holy Spirit, now is the time to make His acquaintance. The only prerequisite to establishing a relationship with Him is being born again. If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I encourage you to do so today. Then, receive the precious gift of the Holy Spirit and become a living testimony of God’s glory and power.

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Creflo Dollar: Your Wealthy Place

Author: Creflo Dollar

Many people today live from paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet. That is not truly living; it is merely surviving. Tragically, many of the people who live this way are born-again Believers. But that’s not the way God intended for our lives to be. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Yet far too many Christians know little or nothing of the abundant life that Jesus came to bring. And many who do find it hard to believe that abundance is God’s desire for them.

If you are a Believer and you want to receive the abundant life, you can do so by abiding in the anointing. “But ye have an unction [anointing] from the Holy One, and ye know all things…and this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life” (1 John 2:20, 25). The word unction comes from a Greek word that means “to smear or anoint with an ointment.” The purpose of this unction is to enable you to know all the things you need to know so that you can accomplish whatever it is you need to do. You have an unction to function!

The entire human race can tap into the anointing through Jesus Christ and put an end to life’s struggles. You can experience breakthrough in every area of your life, including your finances! And you don’t have to look on the outside for something you already have on the inside. You have abundance, millionaire status, a potentially prosperous idea, a million-dollar revelation or a corporation on the inside of you! For example, if you are anointed to sew beautiful garments, seek God for wisdom to discover how you can profit from this empowerment. You don’t have to spend another day struggling to pay your bills or trying to accumulate wealth. Instead, allow the anointing to enhance your talents, skills and abilities.

The anointing is not given just to provide miraculous manifestations in church services. Although it will bring miracles when Believers get together, that is not its primary purpose. With the anointing, you can break through all human limitations. Instead of being limited by your natural ability, you operate in supernatural power. In other words, the anointing equips you to have a quality of life that is far above and beyond anything you would normally experience on your own. It is God’s assurance that you will always prosper regardless of the circumstances.

Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth….” The word “power” simply means the ability to get results. The way you release power is by tapping into the anointing God has placed on your life. Not only does it remove burdens and destroy yokes (Isaiah 10:27), but it also births power, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). When these seven facets of the anointing are operating in your life, nothing can prevent you from entering your wealthy place!

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!

Dr. Creflo Dollar: Fear Not

Author: Dr. Creflo Dollar

Fear is the reciprocal of faith. Just as faith opens the door for you to receive blessings from God, fear enables the works of the devil to wreak havoc in your life. Simply put, faith connects you to the promises of God, while fear connects you to the things you fear. There have been reports of people who were so afraid of dying in a plane crash, for example, that they actually died that way. And it was no coincidence. Their fear of death connected them to the accident. The same is true of people who are afraid of contracting cancer or some other terminal illness. Their fear of sickness is stronger than their faith in healing, and they ultimately contract and die from whatever disease they feared.

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Likewise, fear comes by hearing, and hearing the words of Satan. When dealing with fear, you need to realize that Satan uses the things found in the natural realm against you. He tries to convince you that the things you can see and hear are more real than the truth of God’s Word. When you depend solely on what you can see and hear rather than on what God has said, you leave yourself open to deception.

Several years ago, I was involved in a near-fatal accident. Although I walked away unharmed, I was so afraid of injury and death after the accident that I became overly cautious when driving and I constantly worried about the safety of my family. If I had continued down that path, the things that I feared would surely have come to pass in my life. That’s exactly what happened to Job. His fear connected him and his family to tragedy (Job 3:25-26).

After I realized that I had given Satan access into my life, I confronted my fears. By doing that, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that all fear is born out of concern for self. Fear is rooted in selfishness. Therefore, to weed out fear, I first had to deal with selfishness. I challenged myself to locate and eliminate selfishness in every area of my life.

If you struggle with worry, fear or anxiety of any kind, you are not alone. Millions of people are so consumed with fear that it keeps them from walking in the peace and fullness of God. You must look closely at your life to discover areas where you may be dealing with fear. Then develop and maintain a God-consciousness by being more focused on God and His Word than you are on “self.”

In these last days, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to walk in fear. In fact, Luke 21:26 says that men’s hearts will fail them because of fear. But Believers can live fearlessly in these perilous times. Regardless of what may be happening around you, don’t allow fear to come into your life. God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). You have nothing to fear!

Make a decision today not to tolerate fear on any level.

Experience “Your World with Creflo Dollar”! Everyone faces challenges in life, and with every challenge we face, there is a solution. “Your World” is passionate about empowering our viewers for positive change through the Grace of God. We invite you to tune in weekly!