Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Fear


Franklin D. Roosevelt, during his 1932 inaugural speech, famously said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This was on the heels of the Great Depression, and as anyone might imagine, fear was in the air.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Man should not fear what can happen with God in the picture. Isaiah 35:4 says, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”

John writes, “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). “Perfect love” is a complete love, or a love that is allowed to exert its proper influence on the soul. If this kind of love exists in your soul in a complete state, you will be free from all dread regarding the future.

While the Bible admonishes that we remove fear from our lives, there is a fear that we need to remember. Jesus said that we need to fear the one who can kill the body and soul in hell, which is God (Matthew 10:28). Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 states that the fear of God will produce a desire to keep His commandments. Finally, Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Fear can be good because it can motivate us to greater faithfulness and service. Use that fear appropriately.

Kyle Campbell

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