Most Fears Are Lies
My Dear Friends,
Last week my letter closed with a cliff-hanger. What did the Lord say? Did He agree with Don that I had the “fear of man”?
Please don’t misunderstand; I have never made straight A’s in the fear class. Fear has so many fingers that it’s taken tons of books to deal with it. Fear was the initial reaction of Adam and Eve when they opened Pandora’s Box and let out a tidal wave of evil (Genesis 3:8). Their sudden plunge into spiritual darkness sent them scampering for fig leaves and a place to hide from their Almighty Friend. He came looking and called for His lost couple. Already filled with intense fear and guilt, Adam responded, “I hid because I was afraid” (Genesis 3:10). Then started the blame game: “The woman you gave me . . . the serpent . . .” and then, “God, it’s Your fault!” (Genesis 3:12, 13).
What does Jesus have to say about fear? “I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy . . . and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
Most fears are built on lies. There are a whole lot of phobias and sins hidden under the cover of fear. Even with the revelation of Christ in us, it takes the practice of truth to bring our soulish level to our spiritual level when fear comes calling. The idea that fear was lurking in me seemed incredulous, so I went to my Friend Jesus.
“Lord, do I have the fear of man?” Since my request was a real one, His answer was also. God knows when you are looking for real answers and not convenient ones.
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” (Isaiah 2:22). That was plain enough, so “man” began to shrink in my mind. He led me on: “Who art thou that shall be afraid of a man that shall die and the son of man which shall be made as grass and forget the Lord, thy Maker?” (Isaiah 51:12).
Suddenly, Bert seemed very small. There was a chink in my own armor and I had given permission for it to be so.
Since confession had become a way of life, I wondered if my next “road trip” would be across the street to see Bert.
It seemed the Lord was telling me to reckon the fear dead in me (see Romans 6:11) and not to play hide and seek with the problem. It seemed necessary for me to take back my authority for fear to die. So, in a bold fashion, I brought Bert up to my own mental state where I had lost the battle. I addressed him as surely as if he was in the room. I let words of authority come out of my lips. “Bert, you are nothing but a snort. Your breath is in your nostrils” (Isaiah 2:22).
It seemed that standing up to him was really standing up to my own fear. I wouldn’t have to surrender my own personhood; I just needed to take authority. In fact, I was even thankful that Bert was God’s instrument to teach me a realm of truth that I would need to store in my heart-file forever. Self-humiliation and self-aggrandizement are both wrong and are basically self-preoccupation. Self-preoccupation invites fear. “The fear of man bringeth a snare” (Proverbs 29:25).
Face your fears. I promise you—they will flee. “The righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
When someone or something is in direct collision with God’s ordained purpose for you, “fear not their fear. Fear God. Let Him be your dread and fear” (Isaiah 8:12-13). God’s purposes need never be thwarted in you. Give the “fear of man” nothing to feed on. Christ formed in you is the end of fear. When this is true, God swallows up your unwarranted fear.
You’re free, Bert! And so am I!
Love you,
Ruth Ann