Fear’s poison, FACE it!
INTRO:
IL: As an elementary age kid I received a present which made my life complete. I finally had my very own set of cowboy boots! I was so proud of them, I would have slept in them if my mom would have allowed it. I have 2 cousins who were born the same year as me. When our families got together, naturally, we hung out together. One day, we were all together, running around outside. I was showing off my new boots, and for some reason, we got into my grandfather’s garden. It had been raining on freshly tilled dirt, and I started sinking. I was sure I had found quicksand and my life was in danger. I cried out for help and my two heroic cousins came to my rescue. They tugged on my arms while the mud tried to pull me under. It was a close call, but the next thing I knew, I was free! To my utter horror, the evil mud had kept is stranglehold on my boot, and I was sure it must be sinking to a China! I cried out, “Save my boot!” Thankfully, they were able to retrieve it as well.
Fear. It conjures up a lot of thoughts doesn’t it? Maybe it was the darkness at night. Maybe you feared monsters in the closet or under the bed. Whatever it was, it quickens our pulse and fills our system with adrenaline. It activates our fight of flight response. Some like that feeling and ride thrill rides, watch horror movies, attend hounded houses, and such.
However, fear can be a poison. It can cripple us and freeze us in our tracks. There are people today who won’t even leave their house out of fear. They can’t seem to handle the outside world. They are crippled and trapped in their home due to fear of what might be out there. That kind of fear poisons us and robs us of the victorious life Christ has in store for us.
That fear makes us timid in sharing our faith. It keeps us silent when we should take a stand. If not corrected, it can lead to the death of churches.
Paul spoke to his son in the ministry in 2 Timothy 1:6-7 about fear. He said, “ Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” HCSB
God’s Spirit works in our spirit to transform it. This new spirit of ours is different. God removes fear and doubt and replaces it with the drive we need in order to advance His Kingdom!
Let’s examine this passage in more detail.
1. No fear
God has not given us a spirit of fear. Some versions translate this as cowardice and timidity. The word used here is always used in a negative sense. It is describing to us that God doesn’t make us cower in fear of the things He called us to do. In context, Paul is referring to cowardice before unbelievers.
Many Christians, like Timothy, need to be reminded of this. We are plagued by weakness and timidity today.
Timid Christians fear the reactions of others if we stand out and speak out. They are burdened with wondering what others will think if we live too differently from them. Timid believers worry about how others will react if we disagree with what they say and do. Remember, fear within exaggerates external fears. Though they might react badly, it usually isn’t as bad as we make it in our heads.
This type of fear paralyzes us with worry. We start imagining all that could go wrong. It bogs us down and traps us in inactivity. We become ashamed of appearing different.
There are several troubling consequences of being fearful. An especially troubling one is we silence our witness. When we should be proclaim God’s love to the people in our lives, we keep quiet. They are in need of the Lord. They need to find forgiveness for their sins and the new life that comes through Jesus Christ. Yet we allow fear to stop us. Why is that? We think, “what if they ask a question I can’t answer?” Or “What if they get mad at me?”
At the risk of sounded unsympathetic, SO WHAT! We have the truth they desperately need. Why would we withhold it from them? It is like a lifeguard sitting by and watching someone drown. The struggling swimmer is thrashing and reaching desperately for help. They are going under and will die without help. What if in that situation the lifeguard sat by worrying about the embarrassment of responding to find it a false alarm? Or thinking, maybe they want to drown…. I don’t want to offend them by ruining their suicide attempt.
As ludicrous as that sounds, that is exactly what we do when keep the gospel silent. They are drowning in their sins. They are bound for a devil’s hell and we worry about offending them! They desperately need to be rescued, and we cower back instead of jumping into action.
This not only doesn’t meet their deepest need, it is rebellion to God! Jesus’ last words to His disciples were,”8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” NKJV Acts 1:8
Another result of such timidity is conformity to the world. We are supposed to live a life which glorifies God. Fear often backs us into corners and keeps us from being the example we are to be. Peter wrote in one of his letters that we should be ready to answer those who ask about the hope within us. When we conform to this world, we won’t get those opportunities.
It often starts off small. On break at work and inappropriate jokes get told. What do you do? Laugh? Walk away? Say something?
The next time it is a direct statement. They say something directly against the word of God. Do you speak up?
We get pushed into going along to get along. Yet that is against God’s word!
Romans 12:2 “ 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” HCSB
Instead of conformed to this age and its twisted morals, we are to be transformed.
Out of fear we become guilty of first hiding our convictions which inevitably leads to compromising them. We stay silent, and then we get drawn deeper into sin and participate.
This cowardice leads to a devastating consequence of being Ineffective Christians and churches. We can’t advance Kingdom when we are cowering in fear! We sit by and settle for a slow death out fear.
There are no risks taken for God and no rewards that go with them. It is a risk to witness. I’m not denying that. You speak up for what is right, and it paints a target on you. We get labeled as haters and intolerant. But I’m here to say the benefits far outweigh the risks. Lives are changed! Sins are forgiven! .
Remember the cowardly lifeguard I mentioned earlier? If he can throw that off and get in the pool, he saves a life.
The good news is that we don’t have to do this alone! Paul tells Timothy of God’s provision to overcome fear.
2. God’s Gift to Dispel Fear
God gives believers His Holy Spirit and along with Him, we have tools available which should help us overcome our fears and advance the Kingdom.
His Spirit works to transform our spirit. He renews us and guides us. Though Him we have tools which should dispel our fear. Paul mentions three.
The first tool which overthrows our far is power. God’s power is avaialable to strengthen and equip us. The same power that formed the universe is here for us. How then can we fear?
Notice what the author of Hebrews says at the end of what has been called faith’s hall of fame. In 11:32-38 it says, “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them.” That is just a small list of the things the power of God has done. The power that parted the Red Sea for Israel to cross on dry ground. His power caused the walls of Jericho to fall flat after Israel marched around the city and shouted. His power can overcome our fears and any obstacle which is in our path.
God’s power enables us to fulfill our mission for Him. We can take a stand for right regardless of the reactions we face. We can share the gospel to those around us. We testify to God’s grace through living a lifestyle which draws men to Him. This is what Israel was to be. This is what Jesus meant when He said that our good works would be seen and God glorified. God’s power gives the boldness to share the gospel by proclaiming God’s love. In love, we share that Christ died to pay for their sins and we call them to repentance. His power makes our witness effective.
Not only do we have power, but we also have love which overcomes our fears. There are three words used for love in Greek. One could be better translated as brotherly love. It is the affection between friends and family. One refers to the passion between lovers. The word used here is the word used to describe God’s love for us. God’s love is unconditional love. He loves us no matter what. He loved us before we ever loved Him. He made a choice to love us and nothing can stop that! His love is sacrificial. He loved us so much, He put our needs ahead of His own welfare. He took on flesh and went to the cross to pay for our sins. He endured pain and suffering to purchase our pardon. That is love!
God’s Spirit pours out His love in us. We overcome fear out of love for God. Love leads us to set our own interests.
We also gain a love for others. If we love others like God loves them, it will overcome our fears. In love we will reach out to meet their need. In love we will seek to rescue them.
If we really love them, we will boldly tell them of Jesus! They need someone to love them enough to tell the truth for their eternal destiny is at stake. They face the wrath of God now and in eternity if they don’t hear and change.
God also gives us a spirit of sound judgment. The King James Version says, “a sound mind”. He gives us the ability to see things how they are. He gives us the wisdom to make good choices.
One night I was certain that I was about to become the victim of a home invasion. Something had awakened me. I heard a strange noise and became even more alert. As I slowly looked around with my heart thumping I saw him! He was standing there looking at me. I wasn’t sure what to do. I didn’t think he knew I was awake. I knew I had to act fast. I slowly tensed my muscles like coiled spring and leapt at him throwing a mighty punch! I completely knocked that jacket off the chair I had thrown it on before going to bed. After I turned on the lights I felt silly. Amazing how our perceptions can be off.
God can help us see the one we fear, as one God loves. We see their need for a Savior and not just the hardened mask they wear to hide it.
When we have the discipline and self-control to not let our fears carry us away, we can act appropriately and share the good news of God’s love with them. In fact, some modern versions translate this as self-control since that is what good judgment leads us to have.
Firefighters have to face their fear every call. They are expected to go into places where everyone else is running out. They do it to rescue lives and stop damage to property. They put their lives on the line for those they serve.
We need to face our fear and do the right things! Speak up about the things of God. Share your faith with them. Just telling your own before and after story is a great witness. Be bold enough to confront sin and call for repentance.
Remember, we are never alone!
The boy sobbed, "But Dad, I want my ball..."
"You can play with your ball," I said, "but you’ll have to go downstairs and get it yourself" Now the tears flowed.
Tony’s playroom held the stuffed animals, toys, and games that four-year-old love. He spent hours there. But to turn on the basement light, you had to descend the darkened stairway, step into the shadowy playroom, then reach for the light switch.
"Tony," I said. "You know what’s in the playroom. Everything in there’s the same in the dark as it is in the light."
"B-b-but Dad," he sniffed. "I’m s-s-scared of the dark."
"Okay," I said. "I’ll stay at the top of the stairs so you can hear my voice while you go down. How’s that sound?" A grin replaced Tony’s tears.
He got up and bravely started down the stairs. Then, partway down into the darkness, I heard him hesitate. "Dad?" he called out. "Yes, Tony?" "Nothing." Seconds later the light was on, and Tony was happily throwing a Nerf basketball through a hoop.
Simply knowing his father was nearby gave him the courage to face and overcome his fear of the darkness.
Source: The Courage to Be a Christian by Mike Nappa viewd on Sermoncentral.com
We have our Father close by as well. Head out into the world knowing He has our back!
Conclusion
Today, let us throw off the fear which holds us back and advance for the Kingdom!
My challenge to you this week is this. Take a stand at least once. Find someone to whom you tell the amazing truth of God. Whether in witnessing, advising, or responding to something inappropriate which has been done or said, be bold enough to speak up! Remember, 2 Timothy 1:7 , “God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” HCSB
