The Cultural Message: Fear Everything!
We are a culture that is swimming in fear.
- The 24 hour news cycle has allowed us to hear news quicker, but the news often is negative, sad, and feeds our fears.
- Advertisements will often use fear as a tactic for people to buy the products they are selling. Medical ads, beauty ads, online data safety, and a plethora of others all use fear as a means to scare people into needing their product. The general message being sent is: if you don’t buy our product, bad things will come to you.
- The political climate has been driven by fear.
Our fear is being used as a commodity. If we are afraid, we are more likely to buy products we never would have bought or click on links we never would have clicked. Fear is being sold to us because it works, but being surrounded by a culture of fear is not good for us. We need to know God’s truths so we can navigate this culture that feeds on our fear.
What the Bible Says
1.) Do Not Be Afraid
God commands His people over and over again in the Bible, “Do not be afraid.” He started by telling Abram (Genesis 15:1), then Hagar (Genesis 21:17), Isaac (Genesis 26:24), Jacob (Genesis 46:3), Moses (Numbers 21:34, Deuteronomy 1:21), Joshua (Deuteronomy 3:22, Joshua 1:9), Gideon (Judges 6:23), Elijah (2 Kings 1:15), King Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:15), the people of Israel in Jeremiah’s time (Jeremiah 42:11), Joseph (Matthew 1:20), Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17:7), the women at Jesus’ tomb (Matthew 28:10), Jairus (Mark 5:36), Zechariah (Luke 1:13), Mary (Luke 1:30), shepherds watching over their fields (Luke 2:10), disciples (Luke 5:10), a group of people listening to Jesus’ teaching (Luke 12:32), Daugher Zion (John 12:15), the disciples when Jesus ascended to Heaven (John 14:27), and Paul (Acts 18:9).
We need to remember that God is all powerful and He has the whole world in His hands. We don’t need to fear anything in this world because He is with us.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. Psalm 27:3
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, Psalm 46:2
Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— Psalm 49:5
say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Isaiah 35:4
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8
The Bible is full of messages telling us not to fear. Some of the verses above speak of hard things like war or mountains falling into the heart of the sea, but we are still commanded not to fear. We have a God that is sovereign over the entire world. We are in the palm of his hands. No matter what circumstances we face, we ask God to help us not to fear and that we would know that He is with us.
2.) Fear God
This cultural message took an unexpected turn from what I thought it would. Along with so many verses telling us not to fear, a prominent theme also ran through the words I was reading. We need to fear God. We shouldn’t fear anything in this world, but we need to fear God.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Luke 12:5
There are two ways we need to fear God here:
1.) We should be afraid of God’s judgement if we are not clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. We are all guilty sinners (Romans 3:23) and God is just. God can’t be in the presence of sinners. Unless we are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, we will be eternally separated from God. We are all deserving of God’s wrath and his wrath should be feared. This is why Jesus’ sacrifice is such a good gift. We are saved from eternal punishment by Jesus’ righteousness and not our own.
2.) We should have a reverent obedience to God if we are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness. If we are in Christ, we will live our lives following a sanctification process. We will not be perfect like Jesus was when He walked the earth, but we will be daily transformed into His image. This means that we are at war with our own flesh and we are obedient to God’s Word.
Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. Ecclesiastes 12:13
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. Proverbs 14:27
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. Proverbs 3:7
Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11
So What?
Fear is seeping into every area of our lives. It seems there is something new everyday to be afraid of. God comforts us by reminding us not to fear anything in this world and that fearing Him in reverent obedience is ultimately what is best for us.
If you are in a pattern of fear here are some steps you can take:
1.) Don’t live passively.
We are in a war right now and we can’t just allow the culture to put anything and everything into our minds. Be aware of what messages are affecting you. Keeping a journal is a good way to sort out truth from lies.
2.) Speak truth to yourself by immersing yourself in God’s Word and being in prayer.
When we are struggling with fear, it is good to know what God’s Word says about it. Take some time to pick out some verses that you can recite to yourself when you feel fear. Let God’s Word wash over your heart. Pray that God would help you to not have a spirit of fear.
May we be people who are not paralyzed in fear. May we continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.