Overcoming Fear

Lesson 1: Taunting Fear, The Face of Goliath

Series: The Faces of Fear

Scripture Base: 1 Samuel 17:4–11, 23–25, 41–47

Key Verse: 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

I. Introduction

• What fears in your life feel loud and intimidating?
• The first face of fear we confront is Taunting Fear, fear that shows up like Goliath: bold, loud, mocking, and intimidating.

II. The Story of Goliath (1 Samuel 17)

• Goliath stood nine feet tall (v. 4). His armor and spear were intimidating (v. 5–7).
• He defied Israel’s armies and mocked them (v. 8–10).
• Israel’s response: “They were dismayed, and greatly afraid” (v. 11).

Point: Fear loves to parade itself and make you feel small.

III. The Attributes of Taunting Fear

1. It isolates you
   • Goliath: “Choose you a man for me…” (v. 8).
   • Fear whispers: You’re all alone. No one can help you.
   • Application: When fear isolates you, it gains power.
2. It multiplies through others

1. David’s brothers projected their fear on him (vv. 28–29).
2. Fear spreads if you’re under it, you often want others to share it.
3. It magnifies itself

1. Goliath came morning and evening for 40 days (v. 16).
2. Fear repeats its lies until they sound true.

IV. David’s Response to Taunting Fear

1. David remembered God’s past victories
   • He recalled the lion and the bear (v. 34–37).
   • Application: Remembering past deliverance builds faith for today.
2. David refused borrowed armor

1. Saul’s armor didn’t fit (vv. 38–39).
2. Application: You can’t fight fear with someone else’s methods. You need your own faith and walk with God.
3. David spoke back to the fear

1. Goliath cursed David by his gods (v. 43).
2. David answered: “I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts…” (v. 45).
3. Application: Silence agrees with fear. Speaking truth breaks it.

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Key Takeaways

• Identify Goliath in your life: What voices taunt you? Sickness, failure, finances, past mistakes?
• Refuse isolation: Find agreement in prayer (Matt. 18:19). Don’t fight fear alone.
• Answer fear with the Word: Jesus answered temptation with “It is written.” So should we.
• Remember your testimony: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11).