Fear

I heard a new teaching recently.  It says, “Fear is not an emotion; it is an attack from the enemy.”  I disagree.  Such theology burdens us with fear about fear.  Too few have enough faith to fight such a dogmatic demon.  Everyday fears will produce guilt until a person gives up, condemned by their own theology.

Followers quote 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (NKJV)  Since God did not give us a “spirit of fear,” fear could not be part of our soul, not part of our God-given nature.  It must not be natural.  They concluded with, “All fear comes from Satan.”

Part of the problem with this theology is it takes a passage out of context.  It emphasizes theology over what the writer said.  It emphasizes one word, “fear,” over the others used in translation: timidity, cowardice, and dread.  Paul did not deride the people for having justifiable fear.  Jail, torture, and death were their reality.  He saw fear as the obstruction of perseverance.  So, Paul prepared Timothy to preach the Gospel with knowledge; he probably would suffer.  Paul emphasized that God’s Spirit would help overcome fear with power, just like it did in his own life.

The other objectionable aspect of this reasoning is it does not accept that God made humans in the same way He made all the animals, out of dirt.  The natural evidence shows only one process was involved (evolution).  Genesis One and Two do not contradict the evidence.  We are the same, yet something is different.  We contain our animal instinct with a soul, and then God added our spirit, His Breath.  When we choose good over evil our spirit projects His image.  Fear is part of our selfish animalistic nature.  God wants us to grow beyond that nature.  When God’s Spirit baptizes a believer, He provides power to excel beyond our capabilities.

The Bible never declares Satan has enough power to create anything, even something as basic as fear.  If God made everything, then God made fear.  However, Satan takes advantage of our natural emotions.  He twists fear into a paralyzing force.  He laughs as WE build fear into a mountain of unfocused paranoia.  The frustration that comes with fear turns into anger, which we hold onto as if it were necessary.  Trust dissolves.  Love, mercy, and forgiveness become despicable.  Development falters.  We then inflict that burden onto the next generation as truth.

The Bible repeatedly says, “Do not fear.”  This encouragement always comes at the bleakest times, when rational fear is at its greatest.  Our Creator knows us intimately.  He does not condemn us because we fear.  He wants us to rely on His word as true, His power as great, and seek His willing help.  Even when terrible events occur, and they will, we can trust in Him.  God does not want our animal instinct to guide us any more then He wants us to listen to Satan.  He desires that we persevere to mirror His Image.  When we observe God’s presence in extreme times, it influences our day-to-day lives.  His peace becomes our normal.

To outsiders, such devotion seems foolish.  We should panic.  But knowledge of God’s ways calms our souls.  We learn to “not fear” the darkness and the unknown.  He lights our way through life’s large and small problems.

The Bible never says we must live a completely fearless life.  We simply learn to live beyond our natural emotions.  God’s power helps us accomplish great things despite our fears.  In doing so, we soon see molehills instead of mountains. 

That knowledge is worth passing onto the next generation.

P.S. While writing this blog, God emphasized several fears that have paralyzed me, past and present.  Writing a book was impossible, but I have a book published, with more on the way.  Writing a blog was impossible, yet here I am.  This month was marketing.  It is impossible for me to promote my book.  I just don’t know how.  However, with His help, I will learn marketing so that more people will read my writing.

That last paragraph sounds entirely to serene for my emotional status.  Frustration and panic have been common.  Fear of failure.  Fear of ineptitude.  Fear of fear.  Yes, Satan is in the mix, laughing.  My friends think I am being ridiculous, resistant, and maybe a bit crazy.  They know I can do this.  I do not.  I see each obstacle, too many boulders to count.  Yet, I will persevere to see the mountain moved and the way made smooth.  I will trust in my God’s power to get me through.

I am simply on the up-hill side of a learning curve.