Over and over again Jesus told the people to “fear not.” Jesus was not saying to tempt the Lord or to throw caution to the wind. Also, He did not them to do stupid things to prove that they had faith. When Satan tempted Him to jump off the highest point of the Temple; Jesus said, “It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord your God.” When it comes to walking by faith the Lord expects us to use common sense. For example, if you are driving down the highway and an eighteen-wheeler is coming at you in the opposite direction you would not, intentionally, pull over into his lane and play chicken with Him. All that you would be is a greasy spot on the highway. Your reaction to danger is, or should be guided by caution.
Caution has its origin with God. It is the way that He made us. Hope, faith and peace have their origin with God, but fear, or more correctly, living in fear has its origin with Satan because “fear has torment.” God does not torment His children—ever.
If you have been tormented with fear, could it be that you have been feeding your mind on all the negative stuff that you see and hear. If so, change your habits. Read the Word of God rather than watch TV all of the time. Don’t listen to the negative but hear what the Lord is saying to you.
The Cause and Effects of Fear
Fear causes people to think irrationally. They begin to blame others for their problems. For example, because the Jews were not affected by the Black Plague like their neighbors; (their hygiene was biblical), in Strasbourg there was the massacre of February 1349 when about 2,000 Jews were murdered. In August 1349, the Jewish communities in Mainz and Cologne were annihilated. By 1351, 60 major and 150 smaller Jewish communities had been destroyed.
The child of God does not act or think irrationally; he/she is led of the Holy Spirit and lives by his/her faith in God. Since faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God; if our minds and hearts are devoid of the Word of God we open ourselves for the enemy of our souls to corrupt our minds and hearts with the junk of this world. So, what should we do? We must hide the Word of God away in our hearts as a defense against every trick of the enemy.
Remember: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5,
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
There is an old song of the faith that we used to sing, perhaps it would be good if we sing it again. The words of the second verse tell us: “The tempest may blow and the storm clouds arise; obscuring the brightness of life, I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies, the Master looks on in the strife. Living by faith, in Jesus above, trusting, relying, in His great love; free from all harm, safe in His sheltering arms, I’m living by faith, and I feel no alarm.”
Jesus has won the victory so let’s get in on the celebration of His victory over every enemy—including fear. Amen?
