Leaders Are Fearers: Desires determine Fears

Leaders Are Fearers: The object of our desires determines our fears.

Introduction:

As leaders, we need to make a regular practice of questioning what our desires are concerning the area’s of our lives. Fear is always at work, it pursues and protects our desires. To say it another way, fear is the administrative assistant in procuring and protecting the desires of our heart. It works tiresome hours trying to accomplish what its employer wants; obtaining what it wants until its procured, and then maintaining control of it so it’s not lost.

Fear & Anxiety Defined And Explained

Fear and anxiety are synonymous with one another. Fear in its normative sense is anticipating a perceived danger, but what I want to discuss more specifically is Fear and anxiety in a much more defined biblical context. Before we do that, let me provide a working definition for “anxiety”.

This definition is sited by Pastor and Biblical Counselor, John Henderson as; “the prolonged sensation of fear in response to a perceived threat against oneself.”

Let’s look at some biblical examples of godly men, who from time to time, demonstrated “fear of man” over “fearing God” and vise versa.

First, lets look at David in some of his psalms, where we hear fear and anxiety expressed, but David seems to always bring his toil of suffering in fear and anxiety back to God.

Let’s read , ,

The fear & anxiety that David expresses hear in these two psalms is normative due to the fall; fear proceeding from a fallen world, which is wrought with evil, pain, and suffering. As you know the book of psalms is literally full of David working through his fears, both self-centered and God-centered.

expressed David’s wrestling with his sin, the toll it took on his body, mind, and soul. This fear and anxiety expressed in this palm was a result of his sin. His fear and anxiety were analogous of his guilt and shame waging war on his soul, to which he cries out to God for deliverance.

God’s word also reveals other noble men who had a propensity to demonstrate a man-centered fear than a God-centered fear. Let’s briefly look at a couple of narratives who put self preservation before the glory of God.

Self-Ruled Fear Examples

Let’s read ; ; ;

Moses clearly demonstrated his lack of belief in God; the glory of God, the person of God, or the will of God. But instead he scurried to preserve himself from facing the task God called him to.

Who am I ?

Who am I ?

They won’t believe me or listen to me.

But I am slow

Please send someone else.

Again, Moses was more concerned about self preservation that the glory of God, he trusted himself over the person of God, and he was more interested in earthly comfort than the will of God.

Here is what scripture reveals about fear and anxiety; its either ruled by self or God.

When pride and self-rule is the tenant of your heart, lust and fear dominate your thoughts, feelings, and actions. Lust seeks to control and obtain whatever the heart desires, and fear seeks to control and preserve that object of affection.

Let’s read

David set his heart on the object he lusted for, exerted control to obtain, and he succeeded. However, there was a consequence to his sinful lust, and it was going to give birth. He feared being found out, so he went into self-preservation, and amassed a scandal, which failed. His fear drove him to murder Uriah.

God - Ruled Fear Examples

Read

Joseph feared God and not man. We clearly see the consequences of Jospeh responding godly, meaning he trusted God to preserve him and provide for him regardless of the circumstance and subsequent consequence. These two texts from God’s word reveal the difference between a heart that is self-ruled and Christ-ruled.

Godly consequences may have perceived negative impact or adverse circumstances, but responding godly is always appropriate.

Godly fear preserves and perseveres because it focuses on the person and will of God, not the manly or earthly consequence.

Group Discussion Questions