FEAR

Fear can be either helpful or harmful. When it is fear of what is truly destructive to one's well-being, it hs healthy. But when groundless fear produces needless worry an unrest, it is harmful.

On one hand the Scriptures tell us:

Prov 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Prov 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

On the other hand, "fear not," is also a constant command throughout the Scriptures. To "fear the Lord" is to reverence Him. "Fear not!" is a word of encouragement in the presence of threatening danger or alarm.

DESTRUCTIVE FEAR

Matthew 8:26 But He said to them, "Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Matthew 8:27 So the men marveled, saying, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

If we ever are afraid of the future, eternity, or God's judgment, we can remind ourselves of God's love. We know that he loves us perfectly (Romans 8:38, 39). We can resolve our fears first by focusing on his immeasurable love for us, and then by allowing him to love others through us. His love will quiet your fears and give you confidence.

Ungrounded fears that produce anxiety and needless unrest are not necessary. Such fears are forbidden by the Lord throughout the Scriptures.

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Matthew 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.

Matthew 10:30 "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Matthew 10:31 "Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Jesus said that God is aware of everything that happens even to sparrows, and you are far more valuable to him than they are. You are so valuable that God sent his only Son to die for you (John 3:16). Because God places such value on you, you need never fear personal threats or difficult trials. These can't shake God's love or dislodge his Spirit from within you.

But this doesn't mean that God will take away all your troubles (see 10:16). The real test of value is how well something holds up under the wear, tear, and abuse of everyday life. Those who stand up for Christ in spite of their troubles truly have lasting value and will receive great rewards.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

Matthew 5:12 "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Paul reminds us that fear doesn't come from God.

2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Paul mentions three characteristics of the effective Christian leader: power, love, and self-discipline. These are available to us because the Holy Spirit lives in us. Follow his leading each day so that your life will more fully exhibit these characteristics.

Out fears are an indication of our disregard of God's unfailing promises of guidance and provision, or of our lack of understanding of our true relationship with Christ.

Col 3:4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Col 2:9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

Col 2:10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Do we have a real basis for fear when we have Christ on our side and living within us? Is anything too hard for Him to whom all authority and power have been given?

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

When we are tormented by fear, our focus is self-centered and not Christ-centered. We are looking at the forces that threaten us in light or our weaknesses and inadequacies, rather than looking at them in light of the supernatural power of God. When we focus on the fact that, as a Christian, Christ is our very life, we can say with Paul:

Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

THE KEY IS OUR FOCUS - FOCUS ON CHRIST

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:6 So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

We become content when we realize God's sufficiency for our needs. Christians who become materialistic are saying by their actions that God can't take care of them--or at least that he won't take care of them the way they want. Insecurity can lead to the love of money, whether we are rich or poor. The only antidote is to trust God to meet all our needs.

GODLY FEAR CAN PRODUCE GREAT WORKS

Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Psalm 119:38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.

PETER FEARED THE PEOPLE

Gal 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;

Gal 2:12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.

Gal 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Gal 2:14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?

HE LEARNED BY THE TIME HE WROTE SCRIPTURE

1 Peter 3:13 And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?

1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled."

Can we really do everything? The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do his will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to his interests. As we contend for the faith we will face troubles, pressures, and trials. As they come, ask Christ to strengthen you.

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