No Longer Fearful Part 1

Fear. The stomach-twisting, suffocating, heart-pounding sensation that can grip you at the most inopportune of moments. Sometimes it’s just this nagging voice in the back of your mind that you’re able to push aside as you go through life. We’ve all experienced it, because fear is part of living in a fallen world. Fear-inducing circumstances either have or will occur for each of us at some point in time.

If you’re prone to fear (anyone else out there with a really big imagination? I see the hands going up!) then this can be a more than usually intense battle. The “what ifs” can flood in and really mess with your mind. Yet, is this how God wants His people to live? Is there victory over fear?

The Bible says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).” For today’s post, we’ll look at the first phrase in this verse. We’re going to examine what the four categories that most common fears fall into, and then we’re just going to see what God’s word has to say about each one. In the second post of this series, we’ll look at what God has given us to replace and conquer fear.

Fear of Man

I think this may really be the most common fear; certainly, it is one that encompasses many situations which cause fear to rise in our hearts. This can be fear of what others think of us, or of people who have actual ability to harm us. It can be fear of rejection. This is the fear that so often holds our tongues silent when we know we should speak for Christ.

In 2 Kings 6:16, Elisha and his servant found themselves in a *really* bad situation. An entire army of horses and chariots surrounded the city of Dothan where they were residing. And this army had one goal: capture Elisha! Silence him!

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them (2 Kings 6:15-16).

Now, I’m pretty sure that none of us are in that extreme of a situation! However, the principle taught here remains. God is more powerful than man. Man’s power is limited; God’s is limitless. This is why David could say in the inspired words of Psalm 3:6, “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.” And in Psalm 27:1-3, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”

The antidote to fearing man is twofold, which we’ll go into more in part 2. Trusting God, and fearing God. What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me (Psalm 56:3-4). Both the prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah were fearful when God called them to proclaim His message to a people who had turned against Him. But the Lord promised, “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee (Jer. 1:8; see also Ezekiel 2:6).”

Sometimes God does not physically deliver; as we see throughout Scripture and church history. But man’s power is still limited in such situations. Though they may harm and kill the body, they cannot touch our souls. “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. 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. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 10:28-33).”

The answer of God to this fear is very plain: God is more powerful than man, and we need to trust and fear Him. The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25).

Fear of Death

This is a common and very powerful fear indeed. Even for the born again child of God, the fear of death is too often strong upon us. We need to be reminded that death’s power is broken and its sting erased for those who’ve trusted Jesus Christ as Savior.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Hebrews 2:14-15). How did He do this? He became partaker of flesh and blood—but He never sinned. Thus, He qualified to take our place and bear the punishment for our sins…death (Romans 6:23). Hebrews 2:9 says that Jesus “by the grace of God [tasted] death for every man.” For you, for me. Our sins were laid on Him; He paid for them by dying in our place and shedding His sinless blood (1 Peter 2:24). Then three days later, He arose from the dead. Those who trust Him by faith will also be raised again (John 11:25).

By dying and rising again, He completely robbed death of its power. And we no longer have to live in fear. Instead, death becomes the gateway by which we will enter into Christ’s very presence to be with Him for all eternity.

For further Scripture on death’s lost power, see John 14:1-3, 1 Cor. 15:51-58, and 2 Cor. 5:1-8.

Fear of the Future and the Unknown

Okay, I’m guilty here! I like to plan, a little too much, maybe. The position I like least of all is that of being out of control, having no idea what to expect in my future, envisioning all sorts of horrible things that could happen to me. But though God never promises us a “happily-ever-after,” rosy future insulated from difficulty, He does promise to be with us in whatever lies ahead. He knows what is ahead; and He has made provision by promising to never leave or forsake us.

And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed (Deut. 31:8). “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me,” is the testimony of Psalm 139:5. These promises are corroborated to the New Testament believer: Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Hebrews 13:56).

Be still my soul; thy God doth undertake to guide the future, as He hath the past.

Katharina von Schlegl

Fear of Tribulation

This fear often comes along as part of fear of the future, but it is more specifically fear of great affliction, trial, distress, or suffering. I’m sure we can all think of specific experiences that we fervently hope to never go through. The very thought of these things happening to us can cause fear to fill our hearts.

But there is such a very sweet and blessed remedy to this fear! God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah (Psalm 46:1-3). Oh, amen, we will not fear. Why? Because God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Let this truth sink into your soul! Will you believe God’s word?

Friend, fear is not of God. That is not the spirit He has given to us. In Rev. 21:8, it is clearly presented as sin. Fear will come to all of us at what time or another; the question is, what will we do with it? Will we yield to it, allowing our apprehensions to control our hearts, minds, and decisions? Or will we trust God? Will we believe His word, choosing deliberately to put our faith in Him? He is greater; He is so much bigger; and He is with us. He can enable us to live in freedom, no longer enslaved to fear.