Engrave Victory in Your Soul
\nPsalm 20:5<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 1919, Professor John B. Watson, a behavioral psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, happened to observe a child who had an unusually strong fear of dogs. This sparked a scientific question in his mind:<\/p>\n
\u201cIs fear innate, or is it learned?\u201d<\/p>\n
To explore this question, Watson conducted a series of experiments on a nine-month-old baby at Johns Hopkins University. This experiment later became known as the \u201cLittle Albert Experiment,\u201d which generated serious ethical controversy.<\/p>\n
Watson applied to humans the principle of classical conditioning, first demonstrated by the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov in his famous experiment known as \u201cPavlov\u2019s Dogs.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the early 1900s, Pavlov discovered that if a bell was rung repeatedly whenever food was given to a dog, eventually the dog would begin to salivate at the sound of the bell alone\u2014even when no food was presented.<\/p>\n
This experiment demonstrated that the body can be trained to react to something unreal as if it were real.<\/p>\n
Watson applied this principle to Little Albert.
\nInitially, Albert showed curiosity toward animals such as a white rat and did not exhibit any fear. However, whenever Albert touched or looked at the animal, Watson would suddenly create a loud noise by striking metal with a hammer behind him.<\/p>\n
Albert became frightened. After repeated exposure, even when the loud noise was no longer made, Albert began to show fear whenever he saw anything with fur\u2014animals, fur coats, cotton, and even people wearing furry masks.<\/p>\n
This experiment demonstrated that emotions such as fear can be learned through external stimuli, supporting the behavioral psychology theory.<\/p>\n
However, the experiment was deeply unethical because it intentionally instilled fear in a small child.<\/p>\n
Tragically, the experiment ended without removing the conditioned fear. Albert later died at the age of six from hydrocephalus. Some believe the stress he experienced contributed to his illness. In this sense, Albert became a victim of scientific curiosity.<\/p>\n
This tragic experiment teaches us something important:
\nWhen human beings develop excessive fear, they can no longer properly adapt to their environment or circumstances. Fear interferes with our ability to function and live fully.
\nThat is why the Bible repeatedly tells us:<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not be afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Joshua 1:9
\n\u201cBe strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Isaiah 41:10
\n\u201cFear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.\u201d<\/p>\n
John 16:33
\n\u201cIn this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reason we do not need to fear is simple:
\nGod is with us.<\/p>\n
This was also the reason Jesus overcame the world.
\nJohn 16:32
\n\u201cI am not alone, for my Father is with me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who can overcome the world?
\nIt is the person who is not truly alone.
\nEven when alone, if we know that we are not truly alone, we are free from the domination of the world. When we know God is with us, we are no longer enslaved by fear.
\nThen we can adapt and overcome in any environment or circumstance.<\/p>\n
David understood this truth. In Psalm 20, described as \u201ca psalm for the director of music,\u201d David sought to engrave victory into the souls of the people of Israel instead of fear.
\nHe called them to raise the banner of Yahweh Nissi \u2014 \u201cThe Lord is My Banner.\u201d<\/p>\n
Psalm 20:5
\n\u201cWe will shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.\u201d<\/p>\n
David continues:
\n\u201cMay the Lord answer you in the day of trouble\u2026 May He remember all your offerings.\u201d<\/p>\n
God remembers our worship and our prayers.
\nThat is why the blessing follows:
\n\u201cMay He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
This message is meant to be spoken into our souls, engraving victory deep within us.<\/p>\n
When the Word of God moves from Logos (the written Word) to Rhema (the living Word spoken to our souls), it comes with the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
Prayer is like entering a wilderness\u2014a spiritual battlefield.
\nBut when we carry the weapon of God\u2019s Word spoken into our souls, we can overcome the world and defeat every temptation.<\/p>\n
Prayer
\nHeavenly Father,
\nDeliver us from our troubles.
\nAnswer us when we call upon You.
\nWhen we stumble or fall,
\nlift us up again by the power of the cross.
\nHelp us stand firm and upright
\nthrough the strength of Jesus Christ.
\nWe pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
\nAmen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Engrave Victory in Your Soul Psalm 20:5 \u201cWe will shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the Lord grant all your requests.\u201d In 1919, Professor John B. Watson, a … Continue reading