“Why Fear” Part 5: The self-test challenge for living by faith
Welcome to the final installment of our "WHY FEAR?" series. In Parts 1-4, we've explored God's provision, the anatomy of fear, the enemy's specific tactics, and how to activate God's resources. Today, we'll discover practical tools to assess whether you're operating in faith or fear and how to choose faith in every area of life consistently.
The Importance of Self-Examination
In 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG), Paul gives this powerful instruction: "Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it."
Notice the active language: test, don't drift, give regular checkups, get firsthand evidence, do something about it. Faith isn't passive—it requires intentional examination and action.
Many believers assume they're operating in faith when they're actually being driven by disguised fear. Without regular self-examination, these fear patterns can become so familiar that we mistake them for normal Christian living or even godly wisdom.
The Three-Part Self-Test for Faith vs. Fear
How can you determine whether you're functioning from a position of faith or fear? Here are three key indicators that serve as a practical self-test:
1. Examine Your Words
Jesus taught that "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). Your words reveal what's truly filling your heart—faith or fear.
Faith-filled speech is characterized by:
Alignment with God's promises
Forward-looking expectancy
Acknowledgment of challenges without being dominated by them
Declaration of what God says rather than just what you see
Fear-filled speech is characterized by:
Excessive "what ifs" and worst-case scenarios
Deflating statements that minimize possibilities
Constant qualification to avoid disappointment
Language that magnifies obstacles
When Moses sent twelve spies to explore Canaan, ten returned with a fear report: "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are... We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes" (Numbers 13:31,33). Only Joshua and Caleb gave a faith report: "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it" (Numbers 13:30).
The content of your speech isn't just descriptive—it's creative. Your words are constantly shaping your reality and the spiritual atmosphere around you. As Proverbs 18:21 declares, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
Self-Test Question #1: Do your words primarily express what God can do or what might go wrong?
2. Analyze Your Thoughts
While others hear your words, only you and God know your thoughts. This is often where the real battle between faith and fear takes place.
Faith-filled thinking is characterized by:
Focus on solutions rather than problems
Meditation on God's faithfulness in the past
Alert awareness without anxious worry
Thought patterns that align with Philippians 4:8 (whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable)
Fear-filled thinking is characterized by:
Obsessive problem-focused
Rumination on past failures or disappointments
Hypervigilance that exhausts mental resources
Thought spirals that lead to increasingly negative scenarios
Romans 8:5-6 teaches us that "those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."
The direction of your thought life—what you deliberately set your mind upon—determines whether you experience death (fear's outcome) or life and peace (faith's outcome).
Self-Test Question #2: Where does your mind automatically go when facing uncertainty—to problem scenarios or God's promises?
3. Assess Your Peace
Perhaps the most reliable indicator of faith versus fear is your peace level. Jesus promised His followers a distinct kind of peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
Faith produces peace that:
Remains steady despite changing circumstances
Doesn't depend on having all the answers
Coexists with healthy concern without becoming anxiety
Guides decision-making with clarity rather than confusion
Fear disrupts peace through:
Emotional volatility based on external conditions
Demanding certainty before moving forward
Transforming appropriate concern into paralyzing anxiety
Creating mental fog that impairs sound decision-making
Philippians 4:7 describes God's peace as something that "transcends all understanding" and "will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This supernatural peace functions as both an indicator of faith and a protector of your faith position.
Self-Test Question #3: Do you experience consistent peace regardless of circumstances, or does your sense of well-being fluctuate with your situation?
Living in Faith: Practical Strategies for Daily Victory
Identifying whether you're in faith or fear is only the first step. The real transformation comes from implementing practical strategies that help you consistently choose faith over fear in everyday life.
1. Start Your Day with Faith Activation
How you begin your day often sets the tone for everything that follows. Rather than immediately checking messages, news, or social media (which often trigger fear responses), establish a morning ritual that activates faith:
Thank God for three specific evidences of His faithfulness before your feet hit the floor
Declare key faith scriptures that address your current challenges
Pray specifically for divine encounters and opportunities to exercise faith
Visualize yourself responding to potential challenges with faith rather than fear
Jesus modeled this priority of morning spiritual connection: "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35).
2. Implement Pattern Interruption
Fear thrives on habitual thought patterns. When you notice fear arising, interrupt the pattern before it gains momentum:
Physical interruption: Change your posture, take a deep breath, or move to a different location
Mental interruption: Consciously shift your focus to a specific promise of God
Verbal interruption: Speak a prepared faith declaration aloud
Spiritual interruption: Offer a brief prayer of thanksgiving and realignment with God's truth
This practice aligns with Paul's instruction to "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).
3. Establish Faith Anchors
Faith anchors are specific scriptures, testimonies, or truths that you intentionally return to when fear threatens to overwhelm you:
Personal testimonies of God's past faithfulness in similar situations
Scriptures that specifically address your vulnerability areas
Prophetic words or promises that God has highlighted for your life
Documented evidence of God's character and capability
Hebrews 6:19 describes hope as "an anchor for the soul, firm and secure." Your faith anchors provide stability when emotional storms arise.
4. Create a Faith Community
While personal disciplines are essential, God designed us to overcome fear in community. Strategic faith relationships provide:
External perspective when fear distorts your vision
Encouragement when your faith wavers
Accountability to commitments made in faith
Multiplied spiritual authority against fear
Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us that "a cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Who are the people who strengthen your faith and help you recognize when fear is influencing your decisions?
5. Practice Faith-Based Decision Making
Ultimately, faith must translate into concrete decisions and actions. Develop a decision-making framework that prioritizes faith over fear:
Identify the fear-based option versus the faith-based option in each decision
Ask: "What would I do if fear weren't a factor?"
Evaluate decisions based on eternal impact rather than temporary comfort
Seek counsel from faith-filled (not fear-filled) advisors
Take incremental steps of obedience when large leaps feel overwhelming
James 2:17 teaches that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Living faith always manifests in concrete decisions that align with God's direction rather than fear's diversion.
Faith in Specific Life Domains
Fear doesn't affect all areas of life equally. Most believers find that fear targets specific domains while leaving others relatively untouched. Let's explore how to apply faith specifically to common fear zones:
Financial Fear
Many experience their greatest fear in financial matters. To live in financial faith:
Recognize God as your source, not just your resources
Practice generosity to break fear's scarcity mindset
Implement wise stewardship without fearful hoarding
Make financial decisions based on kingdom values rather than worldly security
Matthew 6:33 provides the antidote to financial fear: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Relational Fear
Fear of rejection, abandonment, or conflict often drives unhealthy relational patterns. To cultivate relational faith:
Anchor your identity in God's acceptance rather than others' approval
Initiate difficult conversations rather than avoiding necessary conflict
Set healthy boundaries without fear of others' reactions
Evaluate relationships based on godly purpose rather than emotional security
Romans 8:15 reminds us that "the Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship."
Health Fear
Health concerns can trigger profound fear. To maintain health-related faith:
Acknowledge God's sovereignty while taking appropriate action
Pray for healing with expectancy while respecting medical wisdom
Focus on quality of life and purpose regardless of physical condition
View your body as a stewardship without being controlled by health anxiety
3 John 1:2 expresses God's balanced perspective: "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."
Purpose and Calling Fear
Fear of failure, inadequacy, or missing God's plan often paralyzes believers. To walk in faith regarding your purpose:
Take the next obvious step without requiring complete clarity
Embrace learning from failures rather than being defined by them
Focus on faithfulness to the process rather than guaranteed outcomes
Remember that God's calling is more about who you become than what you accomplish
Philippians 1:6 assures us that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
The Final Challenge: From Managing Fear to Living Fearlessly
As we conclude this series, I want to challenge you to move beyond merely managing fear to truly living fearlessly. This doesn't mean you'll never experience fear—it means fear no longer controls your decisions, limits your obedience, or defines your identity.
The biblical pattern isn't fear management but fear displacement through greater devotion to God. As Isaiah 8:13 instructs: "The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread." When appropriate awe of God fills your heart, fear of everything else is proportionally displaced.
Challenge 1: Conduct a Monthly Fear Audit
Set a recurring calendar reminder to conduct a monthly fear audit. Ask yourself:
Where have I made decisions based on fear rather than faith this month?
What specific fears have been most influential in my thinking and actions?
How have I utilized God's resources of power, love, and a sound mind?
What adjustments must I make to live more consistently in faith?
Challenge 2: Create a Faith Vision
Vision is a powerful motivator for change. Create a written description of what your life would look like if fear no longer influenced your decisions. How would you:
Pursue your calling and purpose
Handle relationships and conflict
Approach financial decisions
View health challenges
Worship and serve in your community
This faith vision becomes both your inspiration and your measuring stick for progress.
Challenge 3: Establish a WHY FEAR? Legacy
Your victory over fear isn't just for you—it creates a pathway for others. How will you intentionally pass on a legacy of faith rather than fear to:
Your family members
Those you mentor
Your church community
Your workplace associates
2 Timothy 1:7 wasn't written to Timothy just for his benefit, but so he could model and teach fearless living to others. Your journey from fear to faith creates a roadmap that others can follow.
Your Final Assignment
1. Take the three-part self-test and honestly assess where you currently stand regarding faith versus fear.
2. Identify one specific area where fear has consistently influenced your decisions, and create a written plan to apply faith principles to this area.
3. Share what you've learned in this series with at least one other person who struggles with fear, becoming part of their faith solution.
4. Create a specific reminder system to ask yourself, "WHY FEAR?" whenever you face intimidating circumstances.
As we close this series, remember that overcoming fear isn't a one-time event but a lifelong journey. There will be setbacks and struggles, victories and breakthroughs. The goal isn't perfection but progress—moving steadily from fear's control to faith's freedom.
The question that began our journey together still stands as our guiding compass: WHY FEAR when God has given us everything we need to live in faith? May this question interrupt fear's automatic pathways and redirect you to the divine resources that enable fearless living.
Thank you for joining me on this journey from fear to faith. I'm believing with you for complete freedom from fear's grip and the full experience of the abundant life Jesus promised.
Will Bantom