Fear is a common human feeling, both for Christians and for unbelievers.
Acting on Fear
Do you fear hurting someone’s feeling? Do you then stay quiet when the Lord tells you to speak up?
Do you fear lack of money? Do you then foolishly invest in wild schemes or take ungodly jobs?
Do you fear being rejected? Do you then not talk about Jesus?
Do you fear being alone? Do you then enter into alliances with unbelievers?
Do you ….
Christian Response to Fear
Our Lord told us to not fear and why we need not fear. He also told us who to fear.
I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him! (Luke 12:5)
For the examples above, here are some responses in line with Jesus’ admonition to fear God.
If you fear hurting someone’s feelings by speaking up, ask the Lord for wisdom in what to say and how to say it. Then speak God’s way.
If you fear poverty, remind yourself that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10), and knows what You need (Luke 12:30). Pray for direction on acquiring sufficient income and eliminating unnecessary expenses. Seek Him first. (Luke 12:31)
If you fear being rejected, remind yourself of Christ’s rejection and His commission to all of us:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations. (Matthew 28:19)
If you fear being alone, remind yourself of God’s promise that He will be with you always (Matthew 28:20). Remind yourself of God’s command not to be bound with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14). Disobedience disrupts your fellowship with the Lord.
These are examples, since each of us has our own vulnerable areas. If we can identify our weak areas in advance, it’ll be easier to react in a godly way.
Costs
There is a cost in obeying God’s word. You don’t get what you want, in your “wisdom,” in your desire. You sacrifice your own plan.
But there is far, far greater cost in disobeying God’s work. There are “passing pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), but sin always, always, separates us from fellowship with God until we confess and are cleansed (1 John 1:9). And there are almost always natural and unpleasant consequences of our sin.
Choose the cost of obedience rather than the cost of disobedience.
Remedy
- Deliberately study and absorb God’s Word. Remember what He says.
- Intentionally chose to believe what God says and that following what He says is in your own best self-interest.
- Determine to act in accordance with His direction.
Press on!
