There have been some really horrible incidents that have occurred over the past few days. What I know is that at the center of every one, there is a spirit of fear.

There are some who fuel this fear in order to stay in power. You can pick from a large cast of characters as you consider who this is, but…as Christians, we should NOT allow ourselves to be manipulated by fear. Here are a few reasons why:

1. The fear of man is NOT from God

…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

-2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

 

2. The fear of man is a trap

  The fear of man lays a snare,

but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Proverbs 29:25 (ESV)

 

3. The only one we need to be afraid of is God.

 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

-Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

 

4. Some battles are not yours

 …and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.”

1 Samuel 17:47 (ESV)

 

5. Cowards will not enter the kingdom of heaven

  The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

-Revelation 21:7–8 (ESV)

 

Unfortunately, there is a doctrine that says that we don’t need to fear God. It’s okay just to “revere” Him. There is another doctrine that says that God won’t send you to hell if you identify yourself as a Christian. Let me warn you that this will not work when you stand before God any more that it will work for those who choose to identify their “gender” apart from their DNA.

 For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts,

-Malachi 2:7–8 (ESV)

 

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.

-Matthew 23:2–3 (ESV)

 

God will make you accountable for your lack of knowledge as it is up to you to learn the truth about Him. God expects us to recognize when we are being deceived.

Read your Bible!

This will make it more difficult for you to be manipulated by those who benefit from your fear! I can always tell who is actually reading or studying the Bible by the way that they react to tragedies like the ones that have occurred over the past few days. Many who fail that test are pastors! You would only know this if you read and study the Bible.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

-Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

 

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

-Acts 17:11 (ESV)

 

If your pastor is not up to the task, you have the Spirit of God to lead you!

 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

-John 16:13 (ESV)

 

There are many stories in the Bible that will give you hope in the Lord.

Joseph was betrayed by his brothers but in the end, he saved them and the known world from famine. David stood before a giant and won a victory for the whole nation. Daniel chose God over the most powerful man in the world of his time and became his most trusted servant! There is NOTHING too hard for God to bring you through! But you need to be willing to receive His decision as the final decision, without fear.

 If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.

-Malachi 2:2 (ESV)

 

There are some who are married to fear and it is as if “the two have become one flesh”. If you are so fearful that you cannot believe God, you are in deep trouble. It will cause you to make bad decisions, like fighting for causes that someone made up to take advantage of your fear. You will be a puppet for man and, worst of all, you will be a puppet for the devil.

Choose you this day who you will serve. Will you operate out of a fear of man or will you operate out of the fear of God?

 Is not your fear of God your confidence,

and the integrity of your ways your hope?

–Job 4:6 (ESV)

 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;

all those who practice it have a good understanding.

His praise endures forever!

-Psalm 111:10 (ESV)

 

It is your choice.

~pk