Choosing Fear (Part 1)

Download PDF

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” –Matthew 10:28

There is no respect in fear:  It is just plain terror.  God has set the terms of how man relates to Him:  It’s through terror, for He is the God who determines our future.

The word that is translated as “fear” in the original Greek is phobos.  The word phobos means terror.  Had Jesus intended to mean “respect” there are other more appropriate words in the original language that could have been used.

We will fear that in which we hope.  Fear follows our hope.  And behavior (faith) follows our fear.  Therefore, our fears and actions reveal that in which we hope for and hope in.  What do your actions tell you about your fear and your hope?

Fear has a bad reputation.  It is associated with weakness and cowardice.  But if placed with the right object (God), it is meant for our protection, for our good, a driver to obedience, and motive of avoidance of sin and pain–and to do what is ultimately in our best interest.  It leads to positive changes in our lives, pushes us to love and good deeds, strengthens us, unchains and frees us up.  Fear can become our strength!

“The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10) and “Conduct yourselves in fear of God while on Earth” (1Peter 1:17).

Fear of God is not only the best beginning but the necessary foundation for in a walk with Jesus Christ.

But the fear of God is not a natural thing.  Conversely, fear of man is natural.  The development of that unnatural fear does not come without intent, a development of an understanding and reasoning of His character.  It must be a purposeful, intentful pursuit.  For if we know Him as He reveals himself in His Word, how can a man not fear Him?

The fear of God is the solution to fear of men and temporal circumstances.  Our courage to overcome is the fear of God!

Consider the plight of cowards as Jesus warns in Revelation 21:8:  “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and the abominable and murders and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”  It seems that the fear of hell is motivation to overcome fear of the temporal, which takes us back to our Matthew 10:28 passage.

If you say you do not fear God, you are doomed to live in fear of circumstances and men.

Without fear of God our perspective of God will be self-determined, His commandments will become negotiable which will result in insecurity and we will not love.

To know God is to fear God; to fear God is to know God.  You can’t know God without fearing Him.

Chose to know God!

 

Read More Articles By This Author