Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Satan is the one who adds pressure on the Believer to discourage them from moving forward in life.
Paul said that we are to "press toward the mark..." meaning that we are going to face opposition in life. We will not get away from opposition, but we do not need to allow it to have authority over our lives. The word of God has the final say over every circumstance we face in life.
Zig Ziglar stated, “You don’t pay the price, you enjoy the price”. (See You At The Top) I would like to state it this way, “You don’t pay the price; you enjoy the price you pay”. Goals are only effective if they cause change. Be specific about your goals. Goals will only be engaged once you have a plan of action.
Conditioning of the mind is important for achieving your goals. This conditioning requires purposeful thought upon the goals you placed as a focal point.
One thing about goals is that they will not come to you; you have to go to them.
Faith is one of the principles that condition’ the mind to operate without limitations.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (KJV)
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Looking at the negative things comes accompanied by negative companions; namely, fear, doubt and unbelief.
Fear, doubt and unbelief are the process for defeat.
Fear has always been an enemy to mankind and has never produced positive results.
If we are going to achieve our goals in life, we must discipline our lives to be free from fear.
Let’s look at a story of the Disciples facing the invitation for defeat.
Matthew 14:22-31 (KJV)
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Notice verse 22, Jesus gave them instruction to go over to the other side, using what they were gifted with. They are fisher men by profession. Jesus used their profession to reach to the other side.
Fear always keeps you in the place of comfort and limitation; faith will always stretch you beyond your place of limitation.
Fear will add pressure to your mind when you do not focus on the word.
Fear was emotionally impacting their minds because of being in the storm; storms will do that to a person’s mind. The Disciples were emotionally vulnerable, which gave way for fear to be present in their minds.
The spirit of fear is present in our society to talk us out of a life of faith and hope in God.
We do not have to take fear, but, fear is readily available to accommodate you.
Remember, fear is subject to you, not you subject to fear.
God has given us power and authority over all the power or ability of the Devil; and fear is directly from Satan.
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Luke 10:19 (KJV)
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
I would like to point out something about the word power in this verse. The first word “power” means authority, and the second “power” means ability. This is important to understand because the Believer has been given “authority” over all the “ability” of the Devil. Satan does not have “any authority” at all, over the Believer.
Colossians 2:15 (KJV)
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
The word “spoil” means ceasing authority or right. Jesus stripped this authority away from Satan through His death, burial and resurrection.
This authority or right to operate in this earth realm was given to him by Adam when he disobeyed in the Garden of Eden.
Luke 4:6 (KJV)
6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
Romans 7:14 (KJV)
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Have you ever heard the street expression, “I’ve been sold out”? It meant that someone “ratted you out” or “snitched on you”, (which are some other street expressions, at least in my day), or “gave up whatever your crime you committed”. Well, Adam sold us out or gave up our position of son ship. Today, we must fight in order to win in life, where as before, it was natural for us to live life to the full in every area of life, spirit, soul and body, without any struggle. Success and prosperity were the norm.
Question: If Adam had not sinned, what would you being doing with your life right now? Keep in mind that there would be no Church; just family. I would like to submit to you that your purpose is not in the Church, but rather, in how you will positively impact the world with Gods word.
I am showing these verses so that you may have a good understanding of where Satan is today. He has no right to control you emotionally through fear.
Now, getting back to what Jesus was dealing with, His disciples mindset; once Jesus determined where the Disciples were emotionally, notice what Jesus did in verse 27, “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer (or take courage); it is I; be not afraid.”
He spoke to them to assure their hearts. He gave them a command; He commanded them to take authority over fear.
Once they took control of their emotions, Peter took a bold step of faith to do what Jesus was doing, walking on the water; the same water that was threatening his life just a moment ago.
When you keep your eye on the word of God, it keeps your mind focused on the goal and not the circumstances.
Once you set your mind to function by faith, it will ward off limitation.
God wants us to establish a mindset of faith. Every idea that rises up in your mind that is in line with the word of God is an eternal force that will positively impact the world.
Ideas are eternal and come from the spirit realm; Godly spirit or satanic spirit.
This is why it is so important to be free from a spirit of fear because fear limits creativity.
Creativity takes place when our minds are not fogged up by fear.