FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART
OP / ED BY DR. ROBERT KENNEDY
Fear leads people to do some of the strangest things in life. I will return to make some observations about this opening statement, but before returning, I take note of a fact of interest being argued today that many of our fears have a genetic root.
Fearful memories are passed on from one generation to the next. Parents can pass down the fears they experience to their children. The results of experiments suggest that fallout from traumatic experiences may extend through generations. So, yes, we can fear.
While fear is a desirable and the most natural response to dangerous situations, when a person’s fear is out of proportion to any stimulus, the fear can be debilitating. I am speaking of what is referenced as carnal fear. That is the fear that comes from the sources of demonism rather than the reverent fear that flows from the divine.
Can you think of how carnal fear affects its host? Here is a list of 16 ways I note from medical and social scientists.
- Feeling anxiety – worried.
- Feeling nervous, restless or tense.
- At times feel a pounding heart, palpitations or accelerated heart rate.
- Feeling chest pain or tightness in the chest.
- Feeling sweaty.
- Feeling hot or cold flushes.
- Feeling shortness of breath or a smothering sensation.
- Feeling nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Having a sense of impending danger, panic or doom.
- Feeling weak or tired.
- Trouble concentrating or thinking about anything other than the present worry.
- Feeling like they want to hide.
- Feeling the need for separation rather than relationship and fellowship.
- Avoiding responsibility – excuse and abuse – blame others for what is wrong
- Domineering – seeking to be in control of any in their environment.
- Resentful of those about them.
We hear much talk these days about people suffering from anxiety disorders and mental illnesses. What label can we place on all that is happening in these spheres? I offer one word: FEAR.
Because of such fear, people are becoming anxious and worried about what might happen or not happen. As a result, they are becoming increasingly vulnerable to anyone playing a trade of false protection, such as that offered by charismatic politicians, voracious financial advisors, spiritualistic counselors, and magicians who are most effective at marketing fear.
Here are biblical and historical examples of individuals and their responses to fear. Adam and Eve ran and hid because they felt guilty after falling into sin (Genesis 3). Pharaoh oppressed Israel because he saw God’s blessings on them and thought they would soon rise to rule the Egyptian people (Exodus 1-14). King Saul hated David and sought to kill him because he saw that David was more appreciated than he was. (1 Samuel 18-24). The religious leaders of Israel hated Jesus to the extent that they put him on the cross because they saw him as a threat to their authority and religious system. They feared that the ordinary people loved him more than they were (Read the four Gospels). The wars of history have been fought because of fear. People resent one another because of fear. In contemporary times, xenophobia (fear of immigrants) drives people crazy. So yes, the examples are multiple.
The point I am making is that the resulting consequence of fear is that it opens the door to the enemy and, as a result, has been bringing a curse on individual lives and families. Or let me offer that we need to learn to let go of our fears. Unfortunately, many people have learned to live with their phobias and all the components of their fearful curses rather than seeking to let them go and find freedom. But we must eliminate the fears to be effective in the world and get on our journey without fear.
In his book Pilgrim’s Progress, the famous writer, John Bunyan, painted a picture of two lions blocking the path to the heavenly City. The lions were ready to tear to shreds anyone who passed by. “Christian” (traveling on the path toward the City) grew increasingly fearful but slowly pressed on. As he got closer to the lions, he discovered that only their growls could reach him. The point is that the enemy, Satan has a loud growl, and if one is fearful, they will give in to him, but if one has faith, then one will be able to enter the city or find the freedom that is needed for this life and the life to come.
Faith is the opposite of fear, and those who have faith in God and learn how to trust those who are to be trusted will be able to overcome fear. Of the 365 reminders of “Fear not” in the Bible, I offer the one in Psalm 34:9 “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (KJV) Therefore, we need to seek the Lord, not the magicians, to find freedom from fear.
