FEAR: Man's Deadliest Enemy

Modern psychologists know very well that fear generates negative energy that is vested in the object of one's fear, giving it shape and substance, i.e. causing it to come to pass. Fear draws things that are created in man's mind by one's thoughts and imagination, just as faith draws things a person believes or desires to have. Fear nullifies faith. In fact, fear is man's worst enemy. This great truth, which should be taught at schools, was often indicated by the writers of the Bible, thousands of years ago. Let us have a look at a few relevant verses. "What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me." (Job 3: 25) It appears that Job, who had enjoyed great blessings in his life, didn't know this basic principle, although he was a devout man. So, he let fear take a grip of him. He imagined himself being stripped off of all his blessings and dreaded that this would some day happen to him. And sure enough it did. Quite rightly, then, people say, "Fear nothing except fear itself". The best self-protection from fear is not to indulge in negative thoughts, as this will shape them up in one's imagination. As soon as fear of something creeps into our mind we should dismiss it and form a positive mental picture in its place. We should endeavor that our "thought-forms" are always sound and healthy. "What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted." (Prov. 10: 24) The wicked is more prone to fear for he dreads that the iniquities he did in secret may come to light. His position is made worse by the fact that he doesn't have boldness and faith to pray to God for deliverance from the grip of fear. However, even a righteous man could be the victim of fear, as we saw in the case of Job. But the righteous person has learned to trust God for deliverance. "The fear of man lays a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is safe." (Prov. 29: 25) Fear lays a snare for him who fears, says King Solomon. As we saw already, fear generates energy that subtly weaves negative thoughts into a horrifying vision that tends to materialize. Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones and trusting God is the best defense against the attacks of fear. "The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion." (Prov. 28: 1) Iniquity alienates a person from God, who is the only source of real security, and results in timidity and fear. So the wicked man flees, although no one pursues him. Guilty conscience brings nightmares and terror to the wicked. But the righteous person who trusts in God is fearless and bold as a lion! "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; because fear has torment, and he who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18) St. John gives us an effective rule of how to cast out fear. The enemy of fear is love! Do you fear that someone may harm you? Then love that parson! Clothe the enemy with light and affection in your imagination and fear will disappear. A heart full of love has no room for fear. And if one is tormented with fear, the same is not perfected in love. This is a rule of thumb to check up ourselves and see if our love is perfect, i.e. if it is genuine and unconditional to all people. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power and love and sound mind." (2 Tim. 1: 7) The spirit of fear is evil and as such does not originate in God. It is created in the heart of man because of ignorance. All that God wants for us, and grants us if we abide in Him, is a sound mind and a heart full of love. This will result in fearlessness. There is another "fear", however, which is healthy and positive. This is the "fear" of the Lord: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them." (Psa. 34: 7) The angel of the Lord is near those who respect God and adhere to his precepts. Healthy "fear" of God does not mean dread of Divine punishment but awareness of the consequences of the violation of sovereign laws that govern our nature. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Prov. 1:7) Solomon is talking about Divine wisdom. When one begins to understand truth and reality, the same will start feeling awe and respect for God and his sovereign laws. To put it in a different order, the person who starts respecting spiritual precepts is on his/her way to obtaining understanding and wisdom. The healthy "fear" of God causes one to seek him and not hide his face from him. By seeking God, one obtains wisdom. Those who do not respect God are fools, said King Solomon, for they despise godly wisdom and teaching. "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death." (Prov. 14: 27) He who fears the Lord, i.e. adheres to his principles, will feel secure and confident. He will have peace of mind, no matter what he faces in life. His children also will be blessed, finding a refuge in God. The fear of God is a spiritual fountain of life to the soul of man. Not only does it quench its thirst for truth and wisdom but it also guides man to avoid the snares that lead to one's destruction and spiritual death. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb. 10: 31) Falling into the hands of the living God means being caught in the consequences of one's evil actions. The violation of sovereign laws results in one's destruction, and this is a fearful thing. Sooner or later, a person reaps what he/she has sown and no one can suppress this law.