I have been recently wrestling with a specific question. Why are we so fearful as Christians? If we are honest with ourselves, getting past the nice facades of self-righteousness that we like to hide behind, we are driven to do many of things that we do because of fear. We react to things around us due to fear of the unknown, past experiences, perceived evils, etc. We try to accomplish good things for the kingdom of God on the basis of fear, not a “fear” that is in terms of respect or awe of God (which is healthy), but, rather, in absolute dread that God will zap us into oblivion if we fail to do otherwise. Fear in many respects rules more in our hearts and lives than does God, if the truth be known.
What better time to bring up this reality than in October, a month whose major “holiday” is centered around the concept of fear. The origins of All Hallow’s Eve (Halloween), the night when the spirits of the dead arise to torment the land of the living, bespeak of fear and trepidation. These spirits could only be appeased, according to tradition, by leaving gifts of various types (depending on the respective country and culture of celebration) outside of the individual homes of the villagers. If there were no gifts at a particular house, the occupants of the home were tormented in sundry ways by the angry wraiths who left the living far worse off for their disbelief and disobedience. In addition, those of the order of the occult view All Hallow’s Eve as one of their four high holy days of celebration, a day of great power to accomplish great evil.
I find it interesting that not only do those of the Christian faith willingly participate in the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve despite the knowledge of the above but many seek to use the same tactics as the spirits of the dead to evangelize, rather than torment, the living as if the end justifies the means. At every turn, fear is being used as a tool to achieve one’s own agenda, whether for evil or for supposed good. In any case, fear is the basis and the foundation for all things associated with this alleged “holiday”.
This is but one example of how Christians can easily find themselves caught up in this perpetual web of fear-based decision-making. We do not even realize how far off we are from the teachings of Scripture when we fall prey to such a mind-set. Let me show us.
Whenever God visits His people in Scripture, giving them His Word, whether Personally or through His messengers, the angels, knowing such a reception will undoubtedly cause an apprehensive response, He or the angelic representative will more often than not state, “Do not fear...” (Just in Genesis there are four such examples: 15:1; 21:17; 26:24; 35:17). It is plain that God wants to settle the nerves and hearts of His people, understanding that fear is a barrier that must be removed, so that they will be more inclined to hear what He has to share with them. Furthermore, God does not want His people to live their lives on the basis of anxiousness, worry or concern (each word a pseudonym of fear), whether looking to the past or focused on the future. He wants us to trust solely in Him and His character to take care of us (rf. Matthew 6:31-34; Luke 12:22-31; Philippians 4:6-7). Likewise, when we have Him as the true center of our lives, we will not be controlled by any form of fear. Rather, we will have His love and the desire to glorify Him as our sole motivators in all that we say and do (rf. I John 4:18). With this Scriptural perspective, a believer in Christ can live his/her life in peace and joy, regardless of the circumstances, knowing that “all things work together for good, to them that love God to them who are the called according to His purpose” (rf. Romans 8:28). In addition, we do not need to use fear as a tactic, least of all with any visual and dramatically enhanced “bells and whistles” to lead folks “screaming” to Christ. His Word, in terms of God’s actions and character as well as the reality of our own sinfulness which we know only too well, is more than sufficient to accomplish the task of bringing people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as it has been now for over two thousand years.
Simply put, Christ wants His people to live in the security of His love and character, freed from fear. He desires His Holy Spirit to be our primary motivator who will never lead us to do anything based on fear, nor minister in His name using fear as a means. We should not be fearful in our living, but confident that the One Who has saved us will keep us, sustain us, protect us and bring us safely to our home in heaven when our purpose on earth is accomplished. With such a God providing such a truth, what reasons do we really have then for being fearful, harboring fears, operating on the basis of fear? The rightful answer is...none.
