Big cats are magnificent and quite handsome. I admire their beauty and regal bearing, but I do not want to be near one in the wild; I do not even want to be alone with them at the zoo except when I am protected by glass and walls and barriers. Yes, I have a healthy fear where big cats are concerned; a self-preserving fear. A healthy fear can be a blessing and can show wisdom on our part.
But there is another kind of fear we need to be alert about. Thus the title of this post, "Fear to Fear". Charles Spurgeon says it best in this short 2 minute sermon clip:
In other words, "Be afraid to be afraid". Do not be a coward.
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." - Revelation 21:8
The above verse shows us clearly just how God views the fearful....He lumps them together with murderers and the unbelieving and all liars (etc.), and tells us that they will be tormented forever in hell.
Being fearful shows a lack of faith and trust in God. If it is a constant fear, perhaps you are not truly born again. You need to get down on your knees and pray for deliverance and forgiveness. Read your Bible daily and pray without ceasing. When you develop a close, intimate, personal love relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you will learn to put all of your hope and faith and trust in Him, and any morbid fear will disappear.
When you are a genuine believer and have truly been born again, the Holy Spirit within you will remove all fear. Also, to have all fear removed, we must love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).
"A perfect faith would lift us absolutely above fear." - George Macdonald
"Faith, which is trust, and fear are opposite poles. If a man has the one, he can scarcely have the other in vigorous operation. He that has his trust set upon God does not need to dread anything except the weakening or the paralyzing of that trust." - Alexander MacLaren.
"The only known antidote to fear is faith." - Woodrow Kroll
So trust and faith in the good Lord will cast out fear.
Psalm 27:1 tells us, "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?"
"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." - 1 John 4:18
Not only does faith in the Lord cast out fear, but also love will set you free from fear as well. As you grow and mature in faith and in a strong and intimate relationship with God, your love for Him and for obeying Him in total surrender will increase. You will love Him with all of your heart and will desire to please Him in everything. As God answers your prayers and guides you, your love and faith will grow by leaps and bounds.
Following is a beautiful hymn about not being afraid:
There is One whom we should fear however; with a healthy, reverent fear and with love.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 tells us, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1
It is evident from the Scriptures that we should have a healthy, reverent fear of the good Lord. Fear to grieve Him, fear to disobey Him, fear to displease Him in any way. He is our Creator, the Sovereign of the universe, the only true God; therefore we should be in awe of Him and serve Him in humility and obedience.
Following is another 2 minute sermon clip by Charles Spurgeon titled "Fear Only God". In it Spurgeon tells us, "He who fears God has nothing else to fear."
Have a Christ centered weekend !
"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
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - Jesus at John 14:27
