Fear is part of who we are. Physically we are made to engage with fear, and for it to bring out survival traits that help us survive. Our heart rate increases, allowing for faster infusion of oxygen into the muscles. Our vision narrows, allowing us to tune out distractions. We begin to sweat, reducing our body temperature. Our hearing becomes more sensitive, making us aware of our surroundings. We may even feel numbness, as blood flow is diverted from skin, hands, and feet into the major muscle groups in preparation for flight or battle.
Of course, in the modern day world, some of those traits seem redundant. We don’t need to act on our fear, and the side effects of our body’s natural reactions can be dizziness, indigestion, and blurred vision.
What about spiritual fear? Is that part of who we are? The bigger question might be, should spiritual fear be a part of who we are?
Matthew 10:28 tells us:
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
If we truly believe that, our vision should narrow, blinding us to the distractions of this world. Our faith in Christ is all that we will see.
1 Peter 2:1-5 gives us ways to deal with our fear:
“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Our fear of the evil one can bring on dizziness, indigestion, and blurred vision. We can resolve these by following the words of Jesus, and letting ourselves become more and more like him.
Revelation 21:8 describes those with a broken fear response system:
“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
When we choose to ignore our fear, and we begin to sidle up with the devil, we will become like the one we spend time with. We cannot afford to run with evil, for we will become evil.
Revelation 20:10 describes a time when our spiritual fear will be absolved for all time:
“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
At that time, we will no longer need to fear, for there will be no need for us to run from evil. God will have destroyed it for all eternity.
Fear in the natural world is an essential part of our survival, and so is fear in the spiritual world. Yet, with Jesus as our guide, the Father as our anchor, and the Spirit as our helper, we don’t have to worry that the big, bad wolf will gobble us up. We simply need to run when he comes near.
When sin strikes fear into our hearts, the arms of Jesus are the only place to be.
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Code: FGO.D.02.15.vp.esv