Fear can be a familiar companion, but it doesn’t have to be your identity. I spent years shackled by fear—fear of medical diagnoses, fear of bridges and heights, fear over finances and even water. Fear tormented me in layers, paralyzing my life, my emotions, and my potential. And while I have been delivered from fear, the enemy still tries to revisit that stronghold. Why? Because a strongman remembers the door he once held open in your life.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to participate anymore. You don’t have to agree with fear. You don’t have to entertain its suggestions or let it nest in your thoughts. There is power in decisions. And today, you can choose to say no.
The Power of Refusal: Shutting the Door on Fear
When fear comes knocking, you have the authority to not answer. As Proverbs 18:21 declares, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21 MEV). You get to decide which one will live in your house—life or fear.
My friend Tracy shared with me her strategy. Whenever the enemy whispered tormenting lies to her, she’d boldly say out loud, “Shut up, devil. I’m getting a new thought.” Then she would intentionally redirect her thinking to align with God’s Word.
That’s the key. The battle begins in the mind, and what you think, you empower. You can shut down fear, but it requires discipline and a refusal to dwell in the atmosphere of defeat.
Not Every Fear is a Demon—but Every Fear is a Decision
We often label everything as a spirit of fear, but not every torment is a demonic encounter. Sometimes, it’s just an undisciplined thought life or a pattern we’ve grown accustomed to. Deliverance breaks the bondage, but discipline keeps you free.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:3–5 MEV)
We must stop entertaining negative thoughts and begin evicting them. When fear comes, dismiss it. When worry speaks, silence it. And when torment tries to take residence, kick it out with the truth.
Stinking Thinking: The Rot of Agreement
Too often, we stew in our thoughts, analyzing, dwelling, and marinating in lies until we spiritually decay. We sit, we think, and then we “rot and stink,” as I like to say. But the Word commands us to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) and take every thought captive—not every third thought, not every extreme thought—every thought.
We have the mind of Christ, and that mind is sound, healed, whole, and filled with peace.
Freedom Through Self-Deliverance and Prayer
Freedom isn’t just about a one-time altar call or deliverance session. It’s a lifestyle. That’s why I teach people how to engage in self-deliverance. You can recognize when the enemy is creeping in and immediately renounce, rebuke, and replace the thought.
I encourage you to watch my YouTube teaching “Deliverance from the Spirit of Fear”, where I walk you through practical steps to shut down fear and walk in faith.
If you want to go deeper, enroll in my Deliverance Intensive E-Course at training.kathydegrawministries.org to receive practical training on how to maintain your breakthrough.
Build New Thought Patterns to Replace Fear
You don’t just dismiss a thought—you replace it. What Scripture says the opposite of your fear? What truth can you declare over your mind?
If fear says, “You’ll get sick,” say, “By His stripes I am healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NKJV)
If fear says, “You won’t have enough,” declare, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 MEV)
You’ve got to retrain your brain and speak the truth until it takes root.
Use Your Anointing and Authority
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. Fear is one of those works. You can break its power using your authority in Christ. One way to do that is to anoint yourself with oil as a prophetic act of consecration and warfare. I recommend Kathy DeGraw’s anointing oil, available at kathydegrawministries.org/shop.
Apply it while praying, declaring Scriptures, and breaking off fear. Prayer combined with prophetic action is powerful.
You can also read my book “Discerning and Destroying the Works of Satan” to understand how to recognize spiritual attacks and take action. It’s available on Amazon.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Am I unknowingly entertaining fear-based thoughts?
What stronghold does the enemy keep revisiting in my mind?
What truth from the Word of God directly contradicts this lie?
Have I been passive in dismissing fear or proactive in declaring faith?
What actions can I take daily to renew my mind?
Prayer Declarations for Fear
I declare I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
I break all agreement with fear and refuse to participate with torment any longer.
I take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to Christ.
I declare the peace of God rules my heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
I am rooted and grounded in love and fear has no hold on me.
I prophesy to my mind: You are aligned with the truth of God’s Word!
It’s Time to Refuse Fear and Embrace Freedom
You don’t have to live another day in torment. You’ve been given authority, Scripture, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Use them. Activate your faith. Refuse fear. Speak life.
It’s not enough to be delivered from fear—you must be disciplined to remain free from fear.
Watch more of my teachings at YouTube.com/@KathyDeGraw, where I release weekly training on deliverance, inner healing, and spiritual warfare.
Visit training.kathydegrawministries.org to enroll in one of our courses and learn how to walk in your full kingdom authority.
And don’t forget to grab your bottle of anointing oil and one of my books from the shop page or Amazon. It’s time to break strongholds and live in bold, fearless freedom.
You’ve told fear you’re not participating—now walk in your victory.
