Fear
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What was the #1 reason Christians who attended church 3 or more times a month did not share their faith with others?
FEAR!
The fact is, that fear not only hinders people from sharing Christ with others, but it cripples Christians in many other areas of their life as well. A lot of Christians do things and don’t do other things because they are influenced by the spirit of fear.
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me,
And that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
I have heard it said that fear of something sort of brings it on or leads to it happening in your life. But the real context of this verse is that Job was lamenting to God that he had always dreaded the day that he was now enduring. His worst fears had become a reality.
The real message in this passage God wants us to get is that, “Worrying and being afraid of something doesn’t make it go away or ensure that it will never come to pass in your life.” It just makes life less enjoyable!
In the very beginning of the Book of Job it says that he offered continual sacrifices for his children because he feared that they may have sinned against God. He had feared and worried over his children’s safety for years, maybe even decades, and what good came out of it? All ten of them died in one day!
So what good is being fearful?
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
“Fear has torment.”
That word, “fear” is “kolasis” in the Greek and it literally means “punishment.”
To allow fear in your life is to allow yourself to be punished by the devil.
People are afraid of what others may or have said about them. I know a realtor that saw some posts online about her that were very derogatory, and she was so traumatized by it that she would rarely go out in public. And for a Realtor, relationships with people is everything!
You can see how fear of what people think can be very detrimental.
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
That passage means, “Fear God, not man.”
Sometimes Christians fall into the trap of believing that God has lost track of them and is not actively working in their life...
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Let any fear of separation between you and God be gone in Jesus Name!
Some people are afraid of not having enough. They get insecure and sometimes force things to happen that were flesh driven, instead of Spirit led.
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
When you fully comprehend how much God loves you, fear is diminished. God sees you, loves you, and will lead, guide, protect, and provide for you.
Fear is associated with doubt by Jesus...
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Fear not, just believe!
When we hear of others being persecuted for sharing their faith, we should not become fearful, but we should be encouraged to be even more bold in sharing our faith.
And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Because of preaching Jesus I’ve had people kick my motorcycle over and bust the mirrors off. I had someone bash the windows out of my car. I got chased down a street by 2 guys that were going to put me in the hospital for witnessing to their sister.
But guess, what? I’m still standing! Those attacks didn’t win over me. They encouraged me that I was on the right track.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Fear is not from God. God gave us power, love, and a sound mind. Not fear.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God “will never leave us not forsake us,” “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
We don’t want to go through life fearing what other people think. (Or, what they MIGHT THINK!)
We ought to obey God and follow His ways and be bold about telling others about Jesus. Without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, people will spend an eternity in hell when they die. You know the way of salvation and it is your God given responsibility to share your faith in Jesus with others.
The fear of man is a trap. It snatches away our faith and holds us in doubt. We lose sight of the fact that God is with us and will never leave us.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: Be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
God didn’t give us fear. Fear is a spirit that torments its victims. It steals your joy. It wreaks havoc in your life. It makes you do things you don’t need to do.
Especially when it comes to sharing your faith in Christ with others, Jesus is very direct in saying,
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
And one of the worst aspects of allowing fear in our life, is that it doesn’t just make us do things we don’t want to do, but it KEEPS us from doing what we should be doing.
How many opportunities have we missed because we let fear rise up and take ahold of us.
I had a moment last weekend on the 200 mile ride for the Rawlins Jam. I had prayed over the bikes and the bikers just before we took off for the day and I specifically prayed for God to keep the bikes running smoothly and mechanically sound.
Then about 60 miles into the trip, my bike started acting funny. It wouldn't maintain it’s speed. It was cutting out and not running right. The spirit of fear began to come on me and I started envisioning being the one guy whose motorcycle broke down and had to be hauled home. I love riding motorcycle, but at that moment I was not enjoying it at all. I was wishing i hadn’t even set out on the ride.
Then it dawned on me. I had PRAYED for smooth running, mechanically sound bikes. I was not going to break down! I reminded myself that it was God’s Name on the line, not mine. Then, I just kicked back and just rode like I always do, and it ran smooth enough to get all the way around the loop and back home!
Don’t let the devil rob you of God’s best.
Fear has torment. So stop punishing yourself, and learn from Job that no amount of fear or worry will prevent life’s circumstances.
Paul taught us to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God.” (Phil 4:8)
