Fear is not an option- CST @1

Christian Straight Talk: Faith Over Fear
Hosts: Reverend Ben Cooper & Simon Pinchbeck
Featured on: RB Christian Radio and Reverend Ben Cooper’s Podcast

Welcome back to another episode of Christian Straight Talk—a powerful series that cuts straight to the truth of God’s Word. Broadcasting on RB Christian Radio and streaming across all major podcast platforms, this episode features Reverend Ben Cooper and Simon Pinchbeck in a bold and honest conversation rooted in Scripture and spiritual discernment.

In today’s teaching, Ben and Simon go deep into the Book of Psalms, focusing on Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you,” and Psalm 34:4 – “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” These scriptures become the anchor point for a hard-hitting discussion about living by faith over fear in a world dominated by anxiety, pressure, and spiritual confusion.

🔥 What’s in This Episode:

• Understanding how fear manipulates and controls believers
• Why faith is activated by hearing and trusting the Word of God
• The difference between temporary emotion and eternal truth
• Personal stories of facing fear with unshakable faith
• A challenge to stop letting anxious moments define your life

This isn’t a feel-good pep talk—it’s straight talk from the barrel of biblical truth. The world offers countless reasons to be afraid: economic instability, war, health concerns, political upheaval. But today’s message reminds us that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17), and that true courage comes from intimacy with God's Word.

🎧 Tune in now on RB Christian Radio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more. Wherever you’re listening, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share—this message could be the breakthrough someone needs right now.

📖 Key Scriptures:

• Psalm 56:3
• Psalm 34:4
• Romans 10:17
• Hebrews 11:1
• Romans 1:17

faith over fear, Psalm 56:3, Psalm 34:4, Christian encouragement, anxiety and faith, living by faith, Bible podcast, Christian truth, spiritual strength, RB Christian Radio, trusting God, biblical fear, Christian mental health - The Bible 

Final Thought:
Fear will always try to have the last word—but the Word of God is final. Whether you're battling doubt, anxiety, or uncertainty, this episode will remind you of one eternal truth: You are not called to live by fear, but to live by faith. Join us for real talk, rooted in real scripture, only on RB Christian Radio and Christian Straight Talk.

Transcript

Reverend Ben Cooper: 0:01

Hello and welcome to Elim church swanley you're joining myself, Reverend Ben Cooper for today's podcast. Yeah, good morning. Thank you for joining us today. Wherever you are today, we just want to encourage you, brother or sister, male or female, wherever you are today, we want to encourage you to be in the Word of God. We are here in elim church, # Christian Straight Talk. We have got Simon in the house today. And we thank God for His life in his ministry. And we are hoping and praying that God is going to take all of us so deep in His Word. We're hoping and praying that God will lead us into biblical truths, that God will remove the lie. And we've got a really interesting subject, but it's so great to have him across the other side of the table with me today is a good friend and over this lockdown, we've got a lot closer and we've really grown together in the Lord and it's a privilege for me to be with him every week. And as we record these podcasts and things that are coming upon this and an over an arch in this and that was coming out of this you know,#Christian Straight Talk is, is a great thing that God is moving God as God has built God as establishing through the power of His Word. So wherever you are today, never give up. There is always hope there is always a way forward. But today, the title of today's podcast is fear is not an option. But before we go, Simon,

Simon Pinchbeck: 1:17

it's great to be back. Ben and I just did so really been with you, you guys, it's well worth a fiver coming over coming through the tunnel and going over the bridge. So it's great to be back and we've got a mug today # Christian straight talk like that. And do you know what Ben, the more we go on. And the more we go on, in this year, really straight talk. Christian Straight Talk is gonna be right out the front, because there's so much other nonsense and

Reverend Ben Cooper: 1:53

rubbish.

Simon Pinchbeck: 1:54

And if one, if we're not talking straight, as what

Reverend Ben Cooper: 1:58

whats the point

Simon Pinchbeck: 1:59

whats the point is, was meaningless. And

Reverend Ben Cooper: 2:02

it's quite an interesting thing. And it # Christian straight talk literally just being completely open, you're being completely honest, you're being completely authentic, you're not hiding anything, you're not putting a facade, or you're putting makeup over a situation, you're just being completely honest. And you're laying it out there across the table, and you just being very real one. And I think that we're at a stage where the church has to be very real now. It has to really look within itself. And Christians need to look within themselves and say, Father, what is your will and your purpose because we need to strike talking. And we're not talking about arrogant talking and big headed and, and pridefulness. We're just saying, Lord, help me

Simon Pinchbeck: 2:41

to 100% ben, you know, so you've got Christians out there who have just had enough

Reverend Ben Cooper: 2:47

Yeah,

Simon Pinchbeck: 2:48

of the rhetoric, the nonsense that religiosity or even in the end the gospel, that's just love, they've had enough of that they've had enough of that. And you've got any got people who aren't saved yet, looking desperately looking, but they're not looking for a wishy washy stuff, they want something they can cling on to. They don't Yeah, and the only real thing that we can give them is the word of God. And as you quite rightly said, you know, go in deep with the word stay man in God. And then I believe once you are born against the spirit, full believer, then the promises of God to yours are not

Reverend Ben Cooper: 3:26

Amen, they are most certainly are, you know,

Simon Pinchbeck: 3:29

the ones that they're lifted up. They're the ones that we cling on to. They're the ones that we build, and we've spoke about it on this forum before. They're the ones that we build our houses on or re manages the word or Word of God, you know, and it It never fails. Us does, it is sort of always there. But

Reverend Ben Cooper: 3:48

it always add conversations always, always got always, always driving us to the word is always about Christ. You know, there might be a lion out there that we might use to title the podcast or whatever we're talking about. But whatever way and whatever title that is, is always rooted in the Word of God. And that's where we need to be, don't we, as believers, we need to be rooted standing firm in the word, trust in Him and an assignment to come up with this great title today. Fear is not an option. It is really important that we do not allow the fear of the world to drive us. It's really clear that I cannot because anxiousness, doubt, anxiety, worry of the world. It drives me to a place that I shouldn't be.

Simon Pinchbeck: 4:35

Well, the See, the thing is, if you're if you're stuck in front of a TV watching the media, the news media, the mainstream media I'm talking about, and if you're picking up the paper each day, and reading this stuff, they're driving this fear, you know, never before That's right, yeah. You know, the fear of the pandemic, the fear of everything. So even this Week in my own experiences, you know, I've encountered a guy in a mask that won't even go near someone with that I'm asking are as I look at it this morning and I see several people driving cars with with a mess on in their car in their in their own car and I was out for a bit of lunch yesterday at a garden center and the lady I heard a lady and elderly lady beside me saying this for the first time that we've been out for to have something to eat. spritely months. Wow. So it's Yeah, yes, all around everywhere. And it's been driven by a force that is a godless force. That's what is driven, driven by.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 5:46

So there's two, there's two sides to life isn't there? There's obviously the side of Christ and the side that Lucifer drives that that's very clear that that that's how it always has been. Since Lucifer was cast out of heaven, and the fall of man and everything that goes with that. So Christ uses faith, Christ uses everything, of love of his sovereignty of the power of the word and everything. But Lucifer only has one weapon, and that weapon is fear. It's a massive tool, but it's a massive toll is one thing that he's got. And he drives it. Because once he allows an E sorry, once he drives that word to me, and it's just like that profit that was running wasn't the profit that Mount Carmel, and profit alighieri. He prayed for Rain it rain fell when it came, and he was in the miracle. And he was running in a miracle. And he said, run, he said, run so that he prayed and he got that miracle. But then JessaBell sent a message to him. And the fear drove him into the wilderness into the desert place for another two days on his own. And then he fell underneath the tree under the Juniper tree. And he said, Oh, Lord, if my life is enough, now take it from me. But God sent an angel and strengthened him under that tree and enabled him to carry on. But what drove him to that place was was he was running in the miracle he had what God had placed upon him he was in that the rain came, he was in the prayer that he prayed, but that the the Luciferian The, the lucifer use jezza bell to send a message to him and that message overtook his miracle.

Simon Pinchbeck: 7:29

You make some massive points here. You might have a lot of massive points in that last statement and and you know, we're going to unpack some of those yet as we move forward is one last word on backups we're gonna run out of the flagpole

Reverend Ben Cooper: 7:44

Christian strap line partner over there, we're gonna and I'll pencil you in this in the diary.

Simon Pinchbeck: 7:51

They come out their own language and look at someone else step because you're right so if we believe that there's there is a God and we believe that he gave us and here's the deal, right? Yeah, this is what counteracts all fear. God so loved in God.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 8:09

Yeah.

Simon Pinchbeck: 8:10

God so loved all right, gave His only Son who believe. Yeah, evil, that that is that is right. That is true. And it centers then that we also believe that there is an enemy

Reverend Ben Cooper: 8:23

you have to you're not not that you put faith in Him or you do not give him any airplay. But you know that it runs with the Word of God,

Simon Pinchbeck: 8:32

you understand that there is an enemy so if there is an enemy then the enemy is my friend is he's he's organized. He's well organized, very

Reverend Ben Cooper: 8:41

organized.

Simon Pinchbeck: 8:42

But he doesn't use anything. No, you know, there's nothing new under the sun as it says in Ecclesiastes. So fear has always been his biggest tool failure was his biggest talk. So what you just said I think it was was larger you with Elijah? Yes, Elijah was amazing. Enormous profits stood against Roosevelt in

Reverend Ben Cooper: 9:10

Mount Carmel what it 450 400 false prophets and the ones before and they was slain night he took them out he took them out so

Simon Pinchbeck: 9:19

he was massive and the point here is that is that we have fear today but as as Christians it should competence that the most powerful men and women of God also at fit in I did most definitely also add fear. They were just ordinary people. Yeah, they found strength in an extraordinary guard.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 9:41

Wow. That's that's that's the key, isn't it? Yeah. That faith and fear run very close together. Look about the disciple that jumped out the boat. Yeah, if that's you, Lord, call me and I'll come to you. I'll walk on the water. He hops out the boat he walks. That's classic, isn't it? Yes, classic. As soon as you take your eyes off Jesus, I begin to sink and as

Simon Pinchbeck: 9:59

you No, we've said it before, but he's a classic example you, you've got Moses who is an 80 year old man with a stutter, and a staff. And he was fearful when he said I can't face I used. God sent him before the most powerful person, person in the world at that particular time. And I'm talking to do what to say, I'm going to take all these people, but not used him. So he can is fairly used in Gideon, God used Yes. Didn't he? You know?

Reverend Ben Cooper: 10:30

Yeah. Look, are you fearful today, if you are fearful today, you know, it's nothing. This might sound a bit strange, nothing to be afraid of. But you've got to deal with with with the fear. Fear drives at the moment, the suicide rates are higher than they've ever been before. The anxiousness is higher than it's ever been before. Panic attacks are higher than they've ever been for. So the enemy uses the mind, he uses my mind, he uses my thinking, and he's got a strategy. And if he can use my mind, if he can get that word in, as he done to Elijah, that is really, really important that I understand this very clear that he prayed for the miracle and rain fell, and he said, we got a run, we're gonna run. So he was in his miracle, what he prayed for. He spoke, he believed he prayed. The servants said to him, coming backwards and forwards seven times. He said, it's not raining. It's not raining. There's not a cloud. So this man was full of faith. He said, Keep looking, keep going, keep watching. It will happen. He prayed, he prayed, he prayed. So we might be praying and praying and praying and praying. And there might be ones in the twos around us, that are just like the servant to the Prophet at that point at the top of Mount Carmel that assign nothing's happening. Don't listen to the human beings. You go in faith, you believe for your healing, you believe in the 11th hour miracle. You believe that God is stirring you, you keep standing on the Word of God, and rain fell out the last hour and he ran he left Mount Carmel and he had his Knight trainers on and he was run in luck a train. And what came along at the same time is an interest now at the devil works. The Devil Put them put the word in his head. I'm going to get you I'm going to get you what you done today. To my profit is going to happen to you

Simon Pinchbeck: 12:28

Ben Yeah, that's that's that's true. And so

Reverend Ben Cooper: 12:31

do what it says

Simon Pinchbeck: 12:32

it's true if you go all the way through the by even the disciples and these guys have been I forget these been they've been with Jesus for three years. These fellas Yeah. And then john 21 he said they had fear of the Jews. Yeah, fear of the Jews. And we see where you know, around the campfire that we see where Peter runs down also runs so the fear is a constant companion to everyone. You know, my friends if you feel fearful that they're you're not alone. You're not alone because you know everyone me and Ben sitting across the table we have fears and it's how we deal with them fears you know the Proverbs 2128 one says that the wicked flee when no man for Susan while wicked flee so as Ben says, Just a thought.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 13:21

Yeah, just a thought just a thought we'll take you and take you away hours and days and years away from what God wants.

Simon Pinchbeck: 13:28

So it's taking you away from from things that align up with a word of God is taking you away from from my friends is taking me away from your calling.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 13:39

Yeah, the enemy the enemy wants to take no no matter.

Simon Pinchbeck: 13:44

Wherever you listen to this right now call there is a calling on your life. It it may be to bring up your children. It may be to have children it may be to be in a workplace. Or it may be to preach to 1000s. We don't know. But there is a calling and fear. The illusion of fear because bennison illusion isn't it is yeah, illusion.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 14:04

Yeah. And isn't it interesting? It's a word. It's a language is a liar? is a liar, the father of lies. So we go again. Yeah, it's a language isn't it? Now what we've got to be careful of as well, we don't give this too much time as well, because time does not permit it. But we have to be really conscious of the false prophets and the false church and the revivalists that are of the false church and also remembering those prophets and preachers out there that preach and peddle net for the gospel of cash because they will tell you, everything is pretty rosy and wonderful. And when you're sitting in then conferences, carry in fear and frustrations and everyone else around you is bouncing up and down. I'm free. I'm free. I'm free. It makes you feel that God doesn't love you.

Simon Pinchbeck: 14:50

So my friends, if anyone says to you give me money and I'll set you free. That's got to be a massive red flag.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 14:59

It's got to be a red flag

Simon Pinchbeck: 15:00

Bear along with the scammers phone you up

Reverend Ben Cooper: 15:07

all that sort of stuff. So there has been many times when we you me or may have been in a church in an environment of the church atmosphere, when the preacher has been pushing the pedal net for cash gospel, that that will not set you free, what will set you free is the blood of Christ. And even when you are washed, you are sanctified and you are a child of the living God. Now this has got nothing to do with coming in the Lord's house. Because you know, who the sunsets free is free indeed. And sometimes church, the building and the structure of church can trap you into religion. So let's remove the understanding of I don't go to church to get salvation, I go to church to have fellowship with my brothers and sisters. And when I get there, it's great. And when I'm not there, all is great because God is with me wherever I am. And sometimes, pastors and leaders use that, well, you you're not in church or DMA, and that that can send the wrong signal as well. And what we need to understand is that we need to be encouraging one another. And we want to encourage you this morning, wherever you are, do not succumb to that word of fear.

Simon Pinchbeck: 16:17

And that can become a judgment attitude cant it. You know, the Word of God tells us if we seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, amen. Yeah. Matthew 633. My friends, if you seek first, the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then everything else will fall into place.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 16:37

And the reason I said that Psalm is so right. The reason we're saying this is this simple. See, religion can make you fearful. Why would you want a church? You can't make it next week for because you're working that shift over the church period. And you're not working your finger or not church idea. So even religion can so that doubt that that word, but Jesus loves you, even if you can't make church, Jesus, love you beyond human understanding. So fear comes from many different avenues. It can come from workplace pressure, it can come from family issues, it can come from religion and church just just saying to you, where was you? You're not here, oh dear me. Are you really saved? So fear is all around us? Yeah, and every sort of aspect

Simon Pinchbeck: 17:25

if you allow it, that's the thing what it is because you can continue in that field. You can wallow in it. Yeah. And you can let it overtake you. Like he was talking about earlier, like the tsunami and let it completely overtake you and wash your washing is saying like, Oh, you can rise up in the belief of God. And you you got your inner higher authority, and you are in God's word. That's right. The the enemy, as we've seen, will win many battles without even a fight. With a word. He can win a battle without a fight. Yet, you if you're not standing up, fighting in cons word, believing in God's word. He's one. Yes, one and really, he doesn't have to worry about you because you're at the game.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 18:15

Now it's like it's like Goliath, isn't it?

Simon Pinchbeck: 18:18

Oh, we've got to come to goliath.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 18:19

i'll hold my place. There's an interesting it's an interesting text in Psalm 56, verse three, Psalm 56 verse three when I'm afraid to put my trust in you. Simple, simple. It's that simple when I am afraid so the Bible is awash with text regarding the talking about fear, but it's how do I deal with that?

Simon Pinchbeck: 18:43

So when and you've just hit the nail on the head there's one scripture when I'm afraid I put my trust in you just one scripture oh yeah of lines like that. But if you don't know you're bible then you know, you've got nothing to cling on to you know, my friends if you're out there. Let me tell you this. I'm encourage you with this. You're not called to be ordinary. you're called to be extraordinary.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 19:12

Come on.

Simon Pinchbeck: 19:12

You're not called to be natural, but you're called to be supernatural. You're not called to sit on the sidelines but your call to get into the arena.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 19:20

Come on

Simon Pinchbeck: 19:21

your call to do court have to fight your future is in God's hands. And and we all have a calling I said before, but most people bet most people go to the grave with the music still in their hearts, because they never get into that arena. Because fear is kicked them out,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 19:38

keeps them out and I know where you're driving this one exactly, is so true, isn't it? Fear keeps you outside, when that's where the enemy wants us to be on the outside because when I'm in, I'm in. When I'm in I know my Redeemer lives when I'm in

Simon Pinchbeck: 19:53

when I'm in when you're

Reverend Ben Cooper: 19:54

when I'm in

Simon Pinchbeck: 19:55

and listen, you can fight and you'll fall down and you'll fall down. Now again and again again, but you get up and keep fighting.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 20:03

Yeah.

Simon Pinchbeck: 20:04

Because when you got word of God when you've got the Spirit of God, and He says, the word says in Zachariah not by, by my or by power, but my by my Spirit says, Yes Lord by spirit spirit, you will never, you will overcome what you're up against a powerful enemy but he will flee if we stand firmly in the Word of God and walk forward and say no, I don't know you have another these are not listened to your lies on listen to you and not just on believing in the Word of God.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 20:37

Yeah, and we must remember also where it's so important that it says that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against principalities in the heavenly realms. So our fight is not with our neighbor or a friend against that, that that family member or that workplace, person in the workplace is not against the person it is the it is the spiritual force that is driving that person. It is not with that human being in front of you. It is the it is the the one that is in that person and it's ever going to be Christ or it's ever going to be Lucifer there is no, there is no other way. You're either full of the word, and you're full of God or you're, you're a full of loser for that. That is clear.

Simon Pinchbeck: 21:18

That is clear.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 21:19

That's not no getting away from that fact.

Simon Pinchbeck: 21:21

And we like we was talking, we were talking when we first met this morning that we have a feeling that there's things going on and yeah, and maybe things more things that the two of us could be doing. We've been Christian,# Christian straight talk. So we feel that we're in training. And if you feel like that yesterday, then you're you too are in training. And there may be something according that God has put on your heart that you feel is insane. Shoot huge. Yeah, that you call me may not do. If he's called you to it, he will call you for it. And that is the situ so yeah, go for it. But you have to take steps, my friend, have something called ben; faith, you have to take steps of faith.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 22:10

I've never heard of that before. And it talks about prosperity, about money, but faith,

Simon Pinchbeck: 22:15

you have to take steps of faith to achieve your calling.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 22:19

And what does the word of God say about faith? Faith comes by hearing. And hear and faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. So my faith grows. When I hear the Word of God, how do I hear it, I read it, I listen to it, maybe through audio and however that may be preachers and teachers and great theologians who will guide us so far. But the scripture makes it very clear. You know, you don't need man to teach you the Holy Spirit teaches you. So we might not be of any education at all. And God will teach us because he reveals His Word through revelation or knowledge. So as another area of life that if we're dyslexic, or we have issues with learning and studying that we fear could keep us away from the Bible, when actually, the Bible says that through the power of the Holy Spirit, God will will reveal His Word to who and when it is in alignment with his time so we cannot allow the vastness of His Word to keep us away from that because the enemy will use that or what you get in the Bible for you don't understand that. There's so big you can't read right? Yeah, you struggle you're not have educational stock, and what's God gonna want with you?

Simon Pinchbeck: 23:34

There you go. And these words may, may come out from the enemy or the enemy may use someone else to say them IV or light, but use you if you stand on the Word of God, my friends, you've got a calling to walk in the ways of God and let God shine through you and let your light and be a testimony to his glory. And that is the big thing. It's not a testament to yourself. It's an artistry to God's glory. We need. We need faith, and we need to be strong enough to make Don't let the enemy rob you of your calling. That's what I'm saying to you today. serious enough. Fear is not an option. We've got a stand. We got to stand up. And we got to stand up in faith against anything that's coming towards us.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 24:23

Be strong,

Simon Pinchbeck: 24:24

be strong.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 24:25

Be strong.

Simon Pinchbeck: 24:26

Why did why did God say to Joshua in Joshua, wow. And what did he say? He said, Do not be afraid or be dismayed my friend but Be strong and courageous.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 24:37

Come on.

Simon Pinchbeck: 24:37

Well, yeah, because it was just before they were going to take down Jericho. Yeah, that's right. Most fortified city. Yeah, in that part of the world, and all they had was a trumpets and shouting,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 24:48

so they add, that's all that but obedience.

Simon Pinchbeck: 24:52

Big word. Big word ban obedience.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 24:54

Super obedience will flatten fear and obedience

Simon Pinchbeck: 24:58

only comes by knowing the Word of God. Knowing Yep, hearing the Word of God. Yeah, yeah. So you can be obedient to your fears you can. And if you don't know the word of God, that's where you end up. But if you know the word of God, you can you will be obedient to the Word of God. And you'll know the truth. And as you said before, and as we say, many times, my friends, the truth will set you

Reverend Ben Cooper: 25:22

free. Amen.

Simon Pinchbeck: 25:23

Hallelujah.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 25:23

Hallelujah. Come on, come on.

Simon Pinchbeck: 25:26

This morning.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 25:27

It's good. But yeah, it's good. Yeah, the steroids are working.

Simon Pinchbeck: 25:32

Red bulls, red bulls flowing through the veins, or is it the spirit?

Reverend Ben Cooper: 25:36

Is it the Spirit of the Living God, Psalm 34, verse four, I sought the Lord. Now this is coming just off of what Simon just said, I sought the Lord. And he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. He will deliver me. The enemy will take you in to your fears. God will bring you out of your fears. I sought the Lord is man, a man so that's critical, isn't it? Simon?

Simon Pinchbeck: 26:02

Yeah.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 26:02

as a believer i sought him

Simon Pinchbeck: 26:04

because the battle is not yours. Is it?

Reverend Ben Cooper: 26:07

no, We're not gonna get out of this doorway that you know, God is just expanding us with faith.

Simon Pinchbeck: 26:15

So is he we are Don't be afraid God will rescue you from your fears. And the battle because the battle is not yours. The battles are Lord. So all he wants you to do is what he's actually keep walking, keep walking, keep taking those steps of faith.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 26:28

Psalm 34, verse four less distance, have a quick look at this again, I sought the Lord, I look for him. I prayed. I walked I looked for him. I saw him. And guess what? He answered me. Not only did he answer me, but he delivered me What's he going to deliver me from is going to deliver me from all my fears or my worries. It is such a simple line today. Psalm 34, verse four, I sought the Lord. And he answered me and delivered me It's him. He will deliver us from our fears, the enemy is so clever, have taken us in, he will take us in very easily. And it's not as if he's leading that upon a hand is what comes in for our eye gaze and for irrigate, what I see is happening in the world. If I look too much in Afghanistan, that could give me fear. If I look too much into politics that can give me everywhere around

Simon Pinchbeck: 27:25

Japan in any situation, my eyes or situation. So you may read in the in the papers are thoughts on shortage? Ah, I don't know. Let's have a quick look at someone who sought the Lord. Yeah, very quickly. Yeah. And enter the battlefield. Yeah. Even though it looked absolutely insane and ridiculous. And you know, where we're going with this. You know, once one Samuel 17. David,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 27:53

yeah.

Simon Pinchbeck: 27:54

Just went into you know, here we are a we have a fit a Israelite army. Yeah, that's, that's operating in the natural, they left the word. They left the guard ma level and got out saws left DOD. So what they're doing, they're standing on the hillside, they're probably looking at their arm

Reverend Ben Cooper: 28:15

is probably ready for it.

Simon Pinchbeck: 28:17

This big old lamp comes out and goes, you only got to take me on.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 28:21

Yeah.

Simon Pinchbeck: 28:21

Is it no one in this army? You're God's number one and he is no one in this army. And they've all in the natural, they've all gone

Reverend Ben Cooper: 28:31

or we've all backed out.

Simon Pinchbeck: 28:33

We got our church to stop praying. And it backs up, backs out. But it we have a shepherd boy coming for a recess. Is there not a cause? Of course he's gonna take on his mom, I'm going to take him on. Because he was operating in the will of the Lord. And uh, yeah, cuz when you were on time, it was this time when you're operating in the world

Reverend Ben Cooper: 28:57

That's right.

Simon Pinchbeck: 28:58

Everyone else was operating their natural. He was operating in the word of the Lord. He took him out. He took him out and he chopped up his head. He says done it says that, as I said before, Proverbs 28. One says the wicked flee. When no one pursues one.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 29:16

Yeah.

Simon Pinchbeck: 29:16

And this is what the Israelite army were doing. But he goes on to say the righteous are as bold as a lion. And this is where David was, he was as boldly as out of the line. He was pushing.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 29:27

He was pushing, he was standing in faith, he believed in the God of Israel. And when, if we just have a look at that for a moment, when we see what was happening there, David was just on a sandwich run. He was intending to go into the battlefield, and we might not intend to go into the battlefield. But he was he was just on his way to deliver food and check on his brothers. But God has a different reason for the season. You know, so you got to be prepared in season and out of season because he was just on a sandwich run. Check his brothers make sure they're right. Come back is that said Come back to me. Give me this report. Make sure to check them there on the battlefield. Isn't it interesting that the Israelite army was dressed as Simon said, looking like the sun was shining. Their armory was glowing. It was deflecting the sun it was, they probably look really powerful and strong. And that's how the church has been. It looks powerful. It looks strong. It's dressed ready. But it has got no it's got no juice in the ghosts knows it has lost that dude. Well, to fight

Simon Pinchbeck: 30:30

jesus has left the building.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 30:31

Yeah, because fear is driving and fear drove them back every morning, goliath would come out. Say what he was saying. They would go run back into the hills. And that's where the church has done. You know, the big percentage of church, it has run because it is fearful of facing the Goliath of politics, the Goliath of life, the Goliath of truth,

Simon Pinchbeck: 30:54

totally, and thats powerful. You're saying that. But I'll give you an example. In my own life. There's a quite a few. But I can remember this one in particular, which was a place not too far from here, Rochester, which was the original? No, I was going down there to give a talk. And there's about I don't know about 100 young men, all all, sort of, between 18 and 20. It were in there. And there was the guards just locked him in this room and the left. And I was going to tell him that I was a police officer. And so my mate got up and he had a bit of a testimony about being a bodybuilder, this that and the other. They shouted down he they they gave him absolute powers. And I'm up next. And I've got to tell him that I was a cop. And he looked at me when you really want to do this. And I just felt, you know, when you feel the Lord and the spirit goes driving, you get out of there. I thought while I'm here, the Lord told me so I stepped out. And it was just like, it's just happened to me if you've just not Daniel in the lion's den, the mouth shut. Yeah. And everyone was listening. Yes. And many come up to me at the end and ask me questions. So it was the glory of the Lord shown out and they they heard something that touched

Reverend Ben Cooper: 32:13

through a fearful moment, God, God got his glory,

Simon Pinchbeck: 32:17

God got his glory, because they're righteous, that moment or as bold as a lion. You know, you said it before. Look, you know,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 32:28

john 842.

Simon Pinchbeck: 32:29

We know it, the truth sets you free dont it

Reverend Ben Cooper: 32:31

you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

Simon Pinchbeck: 32:35

Yeah, you're free from free as far as Psalm 56, no fear problems. 3030. A lion does not back down.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 32:43

No a lion doesn't.

Simon Pinchbeck: 32:44

And I recall a an incident on a wildlife program where a lion and killed an antelope. And as it as he added, on the side of the river, a crocodile came up in Africa, grabbed the antelope, and slide to swim off down the river, and the lion looked and for what I am i gonna do, and then the lion goes, Oh, you ain't having that. And he typed into the dived into the river. Absolutely rip the antelope out of the crocodile's mouth and the crocodile

Reverend Ben Cooper: 33:17

back back

Simon Pinchbeck: 33:18

back and just looked at him with his little eyes and the lion just got out the river

Reverend Ben Cooper: 33:23

That's our McDonald's. That's my drive through you ain't having you.

Simon Pinchbeck: 33:28

Yeah, yeah.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 33:29

And that's how we got to be we've got to be willing to step in the arena. You know, because the enemy was always overplayed his hand.

Simon Pinchbeck: 33:36

Oh, that's classic. Please. Listen to this again. My friends.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 33:42

Enemy always overplayed his hand

Simon Pinchbeck: 33:45

over because he gets excited.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 33:49

And that's what happened to goliath. Every day, he came in to the arena and he believed in itself. The enemy believes in itself and the enemy believes it's right the enemy believes it's got it right. But when when you're cold, you know you might face many collapse, you might face goliaths daily. It might be in your arena right now of life, but God is with you, God. Just stretch your hand out into the into that sling. And that bag and putting that stone the Word of God put the word into into action, put the word of God to flight because when you put the word of God to flight, it cannot return void. There is power in the Word of God is parent of

Simon Pinchbeck: 34:27

Word of God. That's what Ben says, because there's some great points there. And we know that the enemy does overplay his hand and right now, you may be in the middle of of some fearful situations. It may even be with your family, it might be with your church, it may be at work, where where you're believing in something and all around you. It seems like you're the odd one out here or the one that's, that's running the gates etc. We've described it before as a salmon that you may But remember, it's not you that live but a Christ who lives in you. That's why it's and the battle is not yours. All you got to do is step out, believe in faith, and the Lord will will take over and he will take over that battle. Maybe you are in your life and whatever you're facing, because the battle belongs to the Lord, that battle belongs to the Lord,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 35:24

what in his calling, beautiful line that God gave now to Moses and Moses gave over to the Israelites and it resonated all the way through the camp very clearly when there's been when the enemy was coming up against them. Moses says, For the Egyptians, you see today, you will not see them anymore because the Lord thy God will fight for you. Stand still stand still. Exodus 1414

Simon Pinchbeck: 35:51

still, and the local five you

Reverend Ben Cooper: 35:53

stand still, sometimes the enemy gets us running. gets us right, this is powerful. And this is the enemy gets a runner is giving you this this morning, you got to be careful not to run but to stand still. They still know that I'm God. And Moses dropped that line straight over that whole camp. The Egyptians the enemy you see today, you're not seeing them anymore. I'm not seeing them anymore. You're not seeing them anymore. Why is that because the Lord thy God will fight for us won that battle. It's already done. It's already it's already a standstill in faith. I'll my place be still know that I'm gone. But the church is running around like a headless chicken

Simon Pinchbeck: 36:34

though, is a huge point you just made. The battle has already been won. It's already done. We've just got to walk it out. Yeah, we've got to walk it out. The battle has been won in the heavenlies. He's already done. It's been one up there. We walked out I was just just enough. And if the Lord is is, is if you're so humble that the Lord is using you Amen, then you're walking in victory, even though it may not seem like it, you actually are walking in victory on your

Reverend Ben Cooper: 37:03

bed. If there's a Goliath before you is a set up. Lucifer, I say,

Simon Pinchbeck: 37:08

it's an illusion, Ben, isn't it

Reverend Ben Cooper: 37:10

because the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans not to harm you. But to give you a hope and a future. If you follow me of all of your heart, the Bible also says says a lot. Dennett the Bible also says the steps of a good man or a good person are ordained by the Lord. So your pathway has already been made clear. Now, that will lead you that will lead you in many, many different directions, but one direction in front of the living God, but what it will do, like the value of back are like the value of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. So God has carved a path out for you. God has carved a path out for each and every one of us today. Now, it's not always going to be in a rose garden. It's not always going to be in that area of life. That is like the church tells you that it will be everything. Okay? Don't worry. Yeah, yeah, there is a certain understanding to that. But what we've had in this nation is very clear. denominations not preaching how to stand in the arena, how to stand still in five, we have a church now we have a religious organization that is trying everything, to whip up an atmosphere when actually The Bible says just stand still. And to teach sound doctrine. If If sound doctrine had been spoken and taught, and continued to be pushed over the pulpits, there will be many Christians right now not in the fearful moments that they're in. The preachers and teachers have got to preach faith. Gotta preach

Simon Pinchbeck: 38:44

and preach faith, but because we are born again, believers, yeah. And we have the power of Christ in us, we have the power of Christ in us. And if we stand and fight for the glory of God, then nothing could stand against us you know, as I'll say again, Zechariah four six is not by might nor by power but by my Spirit says the Lord. And you have been chosen if you're out there and you're born again believer, you have been chosen as an extraordinary person. Yeah, man or woman and Christ relationship with Jesus. And the Bible's already been one is want your calling is cannot be taken away from you and you can walk firmly and squarely in faith. Yeah. Psalm 56 nine Ben says, cry out and the enemies for before me and the fear of man is a snare isn't it? It is the fear of man is a snare which is probably a 2925 coming in agreement with God and walk through the fear follow Christ, trust Christ, my friends.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 39:52

Come on, anything calls anything today.

Simon Pinchbeck: 39:54

I'm going to ask you this question if you're out there as as we got about five or six minutes left, and then we We have yet to wash you out there. Is there anything making you fearful that day? Is there anything making you afraid today? You have a choice. You have a choice and the choice is clear. You either let that overwhelm you like the tsunami, we've squeezed among all you can rise up like David, come on. Thank you Jesus. Right. David did not David did ziklag where he was down and out. They were coming to take his life. Even his own men wanted the stuff. Yeah, yeah. And he got up. And he encouraged himself in the Lord is God. And what do you do by me? He sought the Lord.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 40:41

And he overtook any overtook, and he claimed back and he took back and he won, and he won. Why don't they do that? How did he do that? instruction? instruction, instruction, obedience, obedience, obedience, and put the bow

Simon Pinchbeck: 40:57

in the Lord didnt he

Reverend Ben Cooper: 40:59

Yeah, the battle belongs to the Lord. That's what I've got to remember. The battle belongs to the Lord. It is so so important to understand. It's been it's been one. And all I've got to do is just keep walking. The just shall live by faith. We walk by faith, not by sight. We cannot go by saying

Simon Pinchbeck: 41:17

amen to that. Hallelujah. Listen, my friends, face your fear, face your fear, whatever it is facial fear with faith, because if you don't, it becomes a life pattern.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 41:30

Amen

Simon Pinchbeck: 41:30

becomes a live pan, and you'll keep going around around in the same circles. And they say that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again, thinking something else will happen. But, you know, you get into the will of the will of the Lord. And Come on,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 41:47

and we'll have the father

Simon Pinchbeck: 41:49

fear is only an illusion

Reverend Ben Cooper: 41:51

is an illusion

Simon Pinchbeck: 41:52

stand against it. Yeah. Peter says, you know, uses the line in an opposite way. He says the enemy is like a roaring lion.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 42:02

Yeah, yeah.

Simon Pinchbeck: 42:03

But stand and it will flee.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 42:05

Yeah, resist the devil

Simon Pinchbeck: 42:07

We've spoken about it time and time again. We've just must have said about 10 or 20 different scriptures and we're only touching,

Reverend Ben Cooper: 42:14

touching the fringe

Simon Pinchbeck: 42:16

of what the Lord says yeah, about about standing against your fear. Why? Because as Ben said, right at the beginning, fear is the enemy's biggest tool. It's 100%.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 42:28

He overplayed his hand, is all he's got is all the the only weapon that he has, is the fear factor. He drives it that's that that's what he's about. He, he wants us he wants to believe as he wants the world to be fearful. He wants to to be the he is the father of lies, he uses lies and, and that scripture that we mentioned earlier, just for the bit of a back reference, Exodus 14, verse 14, The Lord will fight for you. You only need to be silent urinate,

Simon Pinchbeck: 43:01

we still Yes, that's why

Reverend Ben Cooper: 43:02

they say hold your place.

Simon Pinchbeck: 43:04

He only wins if you quit. Yeah, he only wins if you quit your Robbins if you run if you quit. Yeah, I'm gonna encourage you a day to keep getting up in the Word of God. Yeah. Oh, that person in the arena, my friends and here's the deal. You are the majority in the majority? Amen. you are in the majority

Reverend Ben Cooper: 43:25

that's right

Simon Pinchbeck: 43:25

with with God given you the covering following Jesus and the Holy Spirit giving you the revelation.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 43:31

Yeah. God's before us who can stand out and stand against us? You know, this is really competitive stuff. encouragement, my friends, fear is not an option. It might come in it might come in, like a fleeting thought but do not allow that fear to lead the boat says do not give the devil a foothold.

Simon Pinchbeck: 43:48

Yes, it does.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 43:49

Don't give you don't give in to fear. You are a child of the living God, you are washed, you are washed in the blood in the Crimson Tide. He loves you unconditionally. And we just thank you so much for listening in and being with us through this journey. #Christian straight talk, you can catch Simon. Through that website.#Christian Straight Talk. We thank you so much. And the title for today's podcast is fear is not an option. It has no place.

Simon Pinchbeck: 44:17

It has no place. And as we've said, all the way through this talk and this talk is gone quicker than than I can remember. And that's all we've done. But we've said this stand firm in the word, amen. and face your fears. And I want to move forward and step into your calling. Because my friends you know you are amazing man and woman of God. And you grab all that word and you run to the battle and you let the Lord show you exactly what he can do through you if you allow your lives to reflect His glory in Jesus name, amen. Amen.

Reverend Ben Cooper: 44:55

Amen. Thank you so much. You can catch us for #Christian Straight Talk. on Spotify and many other platforms for these podcasts, thank you so much. Stay in a word of God. And remember that the word take you to that place that you could never get to. Without him. He loves you unconditionally. God bless. And we'll see you soon.

Close: 45:15

Thank you for listening to Elim church swanleys latest podcast. You can find us on buzzsprout Spotify Apple Music iHeartRadio Google Play Alexa mixcloud, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube