Fear: An Enemy of God

Fear is a powerful emotion. It can rescue us from danger or it can cause us to stop dead in our tracks and do nothing.

The fear that can rescue us from danger is the kind that pumps adrenaline through our bodies. It equates with respect. You know, a fear of lions, bears, wolves, etc. This is a healthy kind. I know my boundaries around these animals.

There’s also the kind that keeps me a law-abiding citizen. I have a fear for the police. I’m not afraid of them, per se. But I am afraid of the consequences of disobedience.

However, there’s another type. This is the one that takes control of your mind and twists the facts so you become immobile.

The Bible says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (Prov. 29:25) A couple of the meanings of this word fear are “extreme anxiety, anxious care.” [1]

Let’s compare that to the verse “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” (Ps. 111:10) This word fear means “respect, reverence, revered.” [2]

In Revelation, God has a list of people who are going to be in hell. At the top of the list is not who you’d think it would be! It’s not the really “bad” person, like the murderer (although he is on it.) The first on the list is…the fearful. (Rev. 21:8)

When I read this, I was a bit taken back. Why would God say that? We all suffer from fear at times. But there are times when our fear controls us. It makes us extremely anxious. It causes us to be disobedient and it tells God that He can’t take care of us. It ultimately tells Him that He alone can’t take us to Heaven. Many more things must be done to earn it.

When a person is fearful, they tend to rationalize why they shouldn’t do a certain thing, even though they know it should be done.

Remember I said earlier that fear can twist the facts in our brain? Have you ever talked yourself out of something because you were afraid?

God wants more for us. He wants us to be His children and to live this life with confidence and security.

We must place our trust in Him for our eternity.

We must place our trust in Him for our today.

[1] Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for charadah (Strong’s 2731)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 4 May 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=H2731&t=KJV >

[2] Blue Letter Bible. “Dictionary and Word Search for yir’ah (Strong’s 3374)”. Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 4 May 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=H3374&t=KJV >