From the archives of Oral Roberts
In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–29, Jesus indicated that a certain man who was lord over many servants had given a talent to one servant which was equivalent to $500. He gave two talents to another servant and five talents to a third one. The latter two men gave and invested their money, and it was doubled and returned to them according to God’s divine law of return.
When the lord came to the man to whom He had given one talent, the man said, “I hid the talent.” The lord asked him why. He said, “Because I was afraid.” This man lost even his one talent because of his fear. His fear robbed him of increasing God’s blessing!
As my ministry developed in the early years, I discovered that I had a number of talents in my life besides just preaching. Others saw those talents too, and one group of men came to me with an offer that at first glance, seemed harmless enough. Looking back, I realize the devil was coming at me in the guise the Bible describes in 2 Corinthians 11:14, as “an angel of light.” Although the offer seemed harmless on the surface, it was actually deadly serious.
And then I prayed, Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting ( Psalm 139:23-24).
I began to see how this offer would take too much of my mind off God’s call on my life. Repentance is the first and greatest step of action you must take when you find yourself gripped by fear. But there are two more steps. We must take actions to open ourselves up and give. We must invest our seed and couple that with our faith, even in the face of fear, trouble, or loss.
The third step in taking action with your faith is speaking out against your fear and the trouble it brings. When a spirit of fear takes hold of you, stay with your faith and pray: “God, I repent now of whatever in my life has caused me to open myself up to the spirit of fear. Search me and show me what I must do to turn the situation around in my life. Help me, Lord.”
And then, when the Lord reveals to you what you must change in your life, do it!