“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7
Everyone likes a good scary movie, right? The anticipation of knowing that something is going to be around the corner and scare the actor makes us not turn our eyes away and our heart to start thumping. But is it wrong to fear? This type of fear is not a sin, I believe. But there are some times when fear is sin and we need to walk away from it. So, how is fear a sin?
When It Is Forgetful
Isaiah got pretty firm when he pointed out how we forget WHO is taking care of us. We get into a fearful mode and thus sin. In Isaiah 51:12-13, God speaks through Isaiah saying this.
“I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?”
What is there to fear when God is the one comforting us and He created this universe. To forget Who is in control and let fear take over is to sin.
When It Shows A Lack Of Faith
Do you remember when the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee and a big storm kicked up? They were WITH the Master of the seas and still they were afraid even when He told them not to be. They had a lack of faith that God would not let anything happen to them out of His will! Jesus was calm and at peace because He knew God was in control.
He said to them to not be fearful. “And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.” Jesus was teaching them to trust Him. They showed a lack of faith but He taught them and then calmed the storm.
When It Confounds Sound Judgement
As a child, one of my favorite stories was when the twelve spies went up to spy on Jericho. Of course, Joshua and Caleb were the heroes even if the people didn’t want to listen to them. There is a Sunday School chorus we would sing about the spies. It talked about ten were bad and two were good. Why? Ten gave in to their fears and focused solely on the giants of the land. Two, Joshua and Caleb, said wait a minute, yes we know there are giants but our God is bigger.
They focused on the land itself and what it could provide for the comforts of the children of Israel. They didn’t allow the fear to get in the way of their faith. Numbers 13 is where you can find this story. In verses 30 and 31, we see the contrast of “bad and good” play out. “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.”
I don’t know if I would have stood with Caleb and Joshua had I been there but I would like to think I would have. People can let fear take over sound judgement instead of remembering who brings fear. Satan would love to see any one of us give in to fear. God desires only good for us.
There are a few more reasons I have that fear is sin but we will save them for next time. Today let us purpose in our heart to practice walking away from fear and into the hands of our Almighty God!
“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.” Isaiah 41:10
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