Spiritual Growth Eph.4:11-16. Continuation
Another Obstacle to Spiritual Growth: Fear.
Fear is one of the strongest instincts within us and almost every human being is affected by it, some less some more. Where does it come from?
Fear is a direct product of Sin. We meet it right at the beginning of Creation in the Garden after the Fall-Gen.3:9-10. At that moment Adam and Eve did not fully understand the implications of their sin, yet fear gripped their hearts. This shows that fear is a direct result of sin. The person who is full of fear is gripped by it and cannot live a healthy life. Fear will keep him away from the presence of God and make him disloyal. Adam and Eve hid from the presence of God. They could not face a Holy God. The person who fears will be unreliable because he will always think of the consequences of his actions.
There are so many references in the Bible about Fear which show that God wants us to deal with it and be free. But to do that we need to have a right view of Fear, even though so many believers have such a distorted view of it.
There are Two kinds of Fear in the Bible:
1. The Fear of the Lord (Right Fear)
2. The Fear of man (Wrong Fear)
In Pro.9:10 we are told that the fear of God is the 'Beginning of Wisdom'.
This kind of Fear causes Reverence for God in the soul for His Word, His Commandments and causes us to walk in His ways-Pro.16:6.
This kind of Fear is a cleansing Fear and leads us to live healthy lives-Pro.19:23.
The opposite is true for the fear of man-Pro 19:25. When we fear man we want to please that person and therefore we will do things that are contrary to our will and beliefs.
Not all fear is negative and damaging in our lives. Natural fear as an instinct will prevent us from all kinds of dangers. When wrong fear fills our hearts it will make us unstable and will make us want to give up at the first trial or obstacle that comes along in our lives. One of the commonest fears in our lives is the fear about 'Failure', being afraid of losing the game of life or simply being a failure.
For most people the problem of fear is a result of the way that they were brought up, most usually in an environment bereft of love and security which becomes the breeding ground for all sorts of fears.
What is the Biblical answer to Fear? Perfect Love-1 John 4:18.
We cannot hold two opposite emotions in us simultaneously. Let perfect Love (Jesus) take control
and Fear will depart. Christ gives security in life. It is not difficult to see why Fear has such a suppressing effect on our Spiritual Growth. It is a deadly poison we have to wash out of our systems if we want to Grow in the Faith. Let the Lord cleanse us by His Love.
Another Obstacle to Spiritual Growth: Fear.
Fear is one of the strongest instincts within us and almost every human being is affected by it, some less some more. Where does it come from?
Fear is a direct product of Sin. We meet it right at the beginning of Creation in the Garden after the Fall-Gen.3:9-10. At that moment Adam and Eve did not fully understand the implications of their sin, yet fear gripped their hearts. This shows that fear is a direct result of sin. The person who is full of fear is gripped by it and cannot live a healthy life. Fear will keep him away from the presence of God and make him disloyal. Adam and Eve hid from the presence of God. They could not face a Holy God. The person who fears will be unreliable because he will always think of the consequences of his actions.
There are so many references in the Bible about Fear which show that God wants us to deal with it and be free. But to do that we need to have a right view of Fear, even though so many believers have such a distorted view of it.
There are Two kinds of Fear in the Bible:
1. The Fear of the Lord (Right Fear)
2. The Fear of man (Wrong Fear)
In Pro.9:10 we are told that the fear of God is the 'Beginning of Wisdom'.
This kind of Fear causes Reverence for God in the soul for His Word, His Commandments and causes us to walk in His ways-Pro.16:6.
This kind of Fear is a cleansing Fear and leads us to live healthy lives-Pro.19:23.
The opposite is true for the fear of man-Pro 19:25. When we fear man we want to please that person and therefore we will do things that are contrary to our will and beliefs.
Not all fear is negative and damaging in our lives. Natural fear as an instinct will prevent us from all kinds of dangers. When wrong fear fills our hearts it will make us unstable and will make us want to give up at the first trial or obstacle that comes along in our lives. One of the commonest fears in our lives is the fear about 'Failure', being afraid of losing the game of life or simply being a failure.
For most people the problem of fear is a result of the way that they were brought up, most usually in an environment bereft of love and security which becomes the breeding ground for all sorts of fears.
What is the Biblical answer to Fear? Perfect Love-1 John 4:18.
We cannot hold two opposite emotions in us simultaneously. Let perfect Love (Jesus) take control
and Fear will depart. Christ gives security in life. It is not difficult to see why Fear has such a suppressing effect on our Spiritual Growth. It is a deadly poison we have to wash out of our systems if we want to Grow in the Faith. Let the Lord cleanse us by His Love.
To be continued....
No comments:
Post a Comment