“And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” -Mark 8:40.
Revelation 21:8 has a list of 8 qualities we'll see among those whose place is in the Lake of Fire,
and at the TOP of this list is the quality of being fearful, which at first puzzled me; why would a merciful God pass the sentence of eternal punishment toward those already suffering from fearfulness?
Here are verses 7&8 in their entirety, though the focus of this message is only about FEAR, and how it relates in a Christian's life.
“7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” -Revelation 21:7,8.
The 8 qualities mentioned here in order are; fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars. I find it interesting that the quality of being fearful is followed by that of unbelief, or faithlessness; which you can also find linked with the theme in the opening verse!
The Bible declares that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), which ultimately leads us to Christ; but it was LOVE that led our Lord to die for our sins on the cross (Romans 5:8), and this is the love of God scripture refers to when it says;
“16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him...18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.” -from 1 John 4:16-19.
It's important to know that unreasonable FEARS are a fruit of the flesh Christians need to put away, for we already know the Bible identifies the fearful as having a place in the Lake of Fire, and we shouldn't be counted among them.
“12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” -Romans 8:12-14. Bold type added.
Daniel would've certainly had a reasonable fear of lions, but his love for God kept him praying despite the danger that went along with it (Daniel 6:4-10); and it also was likewise for his three friends with regard to the king's idol, but their devotion to the Lord readily overcame any fear of death in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8-18).
Men like these were really looking through the eyes of FAITH (Hebrews 11:1,6) at the unseen God, knowing that all things are possible for Him, and their souls were safe in His hands.
“...Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” -from Revelation 14:13.
And at one point when Elisha & his servant were surrounded by the Syrian army, his faith saw the inumerable forces of God standing ready to deliver them!
“15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? 16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” -2 Kings 6:15-17.
So we see here examples of the fear-conquering love God gives to His children; a quality that is a part of us, because His Spirit dwells within; and equipping us to overcome in every trial temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13); the Bible says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” -2 Timothy 1:7. Bold type added to point out that fear is not of God!
But scripture also shows times that faith has failed when facing fear, and one of these comes in Jeremiah 26, where both Jeremiah and the little-known prophet Urijah were being threatened for preaching the same warning of forthcoming judgment upon the people of Israel. Jeremiah trusted in the Lord, and his life was spared, but Urijah fled in fear for his life into Egypt; yet the king sent soldiers to recapture him, and he was soon executed (Jeremiah 26:20-24).
And it is this type of fearfulness that God condemns; it's a fear that doesn't trust Him, one that doesn't believe the promises from His Word; it reflects a love for life here in this world rather than for the eternal things of God. Jesus told us in Matthew 10:39,
“ He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”
“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.” -John 12:25
Our enemy the devil seeks to destroy us with fear (John 10:10), but Jesus made the way for us to have peace in Him despite the tribulation He said this world will bring; never forget that God is love, and through His Holy Spirit within us we're already equipped with that perfect love scripture points to; which is the key element needed to free us from fear.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” -1 Corinmthians 3:16.
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” -John 16:33.
I also have 2 short videos on YouTube about this topic: Love that conquers Fear, and Love Casts Out Fear.
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