Fear

by L.A. Hickling, Derby | Category: Christian Problems In Today's World | Apr 1982

Fear, as generally defined, is a feeling of apprehension or alarm caused by some real or imagined impending danger. There is no lack of things to produce such an emotion in the minds of men: fear of unemployment; fear of the motives of others; fear of aggression and violence; fear of the future, and perhaps fear of the unknown. The Christian, living in the world, may well find that fear assails him too. And Satan would have it so.

Fear of circumstances

Even when the Lord Jesus was living on earth and the disciples were able to enjoy His company, they were no strangers to fear. Remember the time when the Lord was with them in a boat and they were crossing to the other side of the lake (Mark 4). It was by His direction that they undertook the journey, for He had said, "Let us go over unto the other side". Yet the crossing seemed to be fraught with danger as the wind rose and the waves beat into the boat. Though He sailed with them they were full of fear.

"Why," He said, "are ye fearful?" The unspoken answer was that they had

not fully comprehended either His care for them or His power over every circumstance. But in His kindness He showed it to them. We, too, sail the sea of the changing circumstances of human life, but "We sail with One whose power must overcome."

The apostle Paul had learned the secret of contentment in changing circumstances. He wrote, "In all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want" (Phil. 4:12). What was the secret? It was relying not on himself but on Christ. He who could command the stormy sea could strengthen those who trusted Him, whatever the circumstance of life. So Paul wrote to those Christians in Philippi, "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God". And the same message comes to us. Nothing and everything: allow nothing to weigh upon us with depressing care because we have the invitation to make everything known to God and to allow Him to order and provide. The result - "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus".

Again, Paul writes to believers to remind them that they have been brought into a relationship with the Almighty God of heaven that enables them to speak to Him as a caring Father, interested in all their circumstances. "Ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15).

Fear of Men

Picture the scene as the disciples were together after the crucifixion of their Lord. It seemed as though evil men had triumphed. The disciples were behind closed doors, sad and afraid. But how the scene changed when the Lord appeared to them! They heard Him speak and they knew that He was alive again. Fears were dispelled in the knowledge that their Lord lived and it was in the power of that knowledge that they went out with boldness to meet the challenge of men. He lives still, and though the forces of men may be massed against the Christian we may share the assurance with which Paul wrote: "If God is for us, who is against us?" Without doubt, many are against us, but how do they weigh in the balance against Him who is for us?

God is for us. Christ Jesus died, was raised and is now at the right hand of God making intercession for us. Well may we say, I will not fear what man may do unto me. The same apostle, writing to the younger man Timothy, exhorting him not to be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord, warned him against the spirit of fearfulness (here used in the sense of cowardice). God's Spirit, the Spirit who indwells the believer, is a Spirit of power and love and discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).

Hezekiah, in his day, was faced with a determined effort by the king of Assyria to win the fenced cities of Judah for himself. Hezekiah saw the forces mustered against him and realized the intention of the opposing king. He took counsel with his princes and he roused the people to action, but his strongest encouragement to the people was as follows:

Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles (2 Chron. 32).

And on those words the people rested themselves.

The fear of God

In the modern world the fear of God has largely passed from the thoughts

of men. As Scripture says, "there is no fear of God before their eyes"

(Romans 3:18). But this is the fear that' should be the motivating and controlling factor in the life of a believer. It should influence all his thoughts and actions as he walks "in the fear of the Lord all day long". It is derived from a true knowledge of God's Person and works and is learnt in the presence of God. One eminent scholar has defined it thus:

Not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him, a fear which banishes the terror which shrinks from His presence.

So this is not a fear which runs from the presence of God in terror because of punishment. Being children of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus we cease to be afraid of Him in that sense, for the love of God casts out fear (1 John 4:18). But because of love we fear to do what is displeasing to Him.

The lives and actions of God's men of old were influenced by the fear of God. Noah walked with God and, as he communed with Him, he learned of things "not seen as yet", for the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him. And his godly fear moved him to be responsive to God's guidance "to the saving of his house". So, "he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith" (Hebrews 11:7).

Moses commanded the people to be assembled to be taught the fear of the Lord (Deut. 31:12), and this teaching was to be passed on from one generation to another. The fear of the Lord is part of the heritage of God's people.

Of the Lord Himself it is said,

The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him ... the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord; and His delight shall be in the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2, 3).

So, following that great example, the believer today should delight in the fear of the Lord, taking Him into all his actions, with "that wholesome dread of displeasing Him."

In the early churches this fear was seen in the disciples as they walked "in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:31). His fear in their hearts led them to walk harmoniously together in subjection to one another and striving unitedly in His service. May we too heed the exhortation, "let us have grace, whereby we may offer service well-pleasing to God with reverence and awe" (Hebrews 12:28).

L.A. Hickling, Derby | Apr 1982
Christian Problems In Today's World