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. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:15

For Encouragement 

He was a terror. A peace officer turned tormentor – a bully every driver and pedestrian dreaded crossing his path. Jack enjoyed terrorizing drivers and pedestrians around the beautiful area called Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra. He became notorious all over Accra for his terror during his lifetime. 

But Solomon was right. 

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). 

Maybe somebody should have instructed Jack on this basic rule of life from King Solomon. For the end of his reign of terror had come. And it came from the most unlikely source, one bright noonday. A slim young man had had enough of his notoriety. He gave Jack such a whipping no one thought was possible, considering their comparative sizes and Jack’s trademark. The anonymous youth emancipated everybody from their fear of Jack. That is what Christ has done to the devil. He gave the devil crushing defeat on the cross. Listen to the Hebrews writer on this.

 “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14-15).

Jesus has delivered us from the terror of the devil—the fear of death. He has given us the Holy Spirit to indwell us with His Almighty power. He is not a spirit of fear and timidity but the Spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7). So Paul tells us again in Romans 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. And by him, we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Rom. 8:15).

Now, that is good news indeed! 

Christ has emancipated us from the fear of the devil. The All-powerful and fearless Holy Spirit indwells us. He has facilitated our adoption as children of God. Therefore, we have gained the right to call God our Daddy. Isn’t that wonderful?

There is a lot in the world that can strike fear in us each day and moment—the threat of Coronavirus and other sicknesses, financial problems, marital struggles, social and political upheavals, and spiritual deception. But the faithful word of God says the Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear. He has freed us to stand in the grace of God against every threat and prevail in the power the Spirit gives us.

So do not fear what the world fears. You have all the powers of heaven within you overcome every threat for the glory of God. Plug into your power source in the Holy Spirit and give your Jack—the tormentor—the whipping of his life. Amen!