But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1
Yesterday we started talking about fear and when it can be a sin. Let’s finish this up today so we can learn to avoid fear in our lives.
When It Is Hereditary
This one is a difficult one. We love to say, “I am how I am because of my parents.” Sometimes we can take that into account but knowing and rising above are two different things. So, how is fear wrong when it is in our family? It is wrong when we give into our fear and think that is just how I was raised or that is how my parents are. Why? We are not letting God have complete control in our lives.
If you read the story in Genesis 20 about Abraham and Sarah, you will learn how they let fear control the situation instead of resting in God’s promises. He lied about who Sarah was. This almost got Abraham killed. Fast forward to his son Isaac and here in chapter 26 and verse 7 we see Isaac repeating the fear that Abraham had.
“And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.” Isaac let his fear take over just as his father did. He stopped trusting in his Almighty God.
When It Is Contagious
How many times have you said to your children, “If everyone jumped off the cliff, would you?” Your point being; don’t do something you know to be wrong just because everyone else is doing it. In Deuteronomy as a new nation was coming together, the children of Israel were learning to trust God. God had some battles for them to fight but He needed strong, spiritual men. He wanted them not to be fearful. Fear CAN be contagious.
If one person jumps at the spider in the house, fussing about it and making all kinds of noise, it WILL scare the others. Deuteronomy 20:8 says, “And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.” God wanted a united people. He wanted a people willing to trust completely in Him. Don’t let fear because contagious and cause others to stumble.
When It Is Fleshly
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” In II Timothy 1:7, we see that God is NOT the author of fear. If God is not, then who is? Satan! He is the prince of this world for now and fear is of this world. When we give into the flesh and allow fear to control us, we are allowing the devil to then control us via the fear.
Fear is not depending on God for our every need. Our needs aren’t always just the physical. When we fear, we’ve stopped allowing God to help us in all areas of our lives. Our flesh takes over and we all know this weak flesh can then be easily consumed with anxiety, stress, worry and yes, fear.
In this world, there are things TO fear daily but we do not have a reason to sin IN fearing. We are human so when we get to that precipice of fear wanting to take over, arm yourself with the Word of God and prayer. Ask God for help to keep you from the sin of fear. “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.” (I John 4:18) Staying close to God’s love will help keep the torment of fear out of our lives.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6