The fear
of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his
trust in the LORD shall be safe (Prov. 29:25).
I don't like being afraid. Call me a chicken, but I'm not into things that promote fear, even if it is the Halloween season. Many times, the source of fear is evil, real or imagined. That is why unscrupulous people can play on our fears for gain or other purposes.
I was only three years old when World War II began. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember the blackouts. Even in the hills of West Virginia, when a blackout was called, all lights went out. For a three-year-old, and probably for adults, that was a scary time. "Is a formation of bombers on the way?" people thought. No one knew; families were just told to turn out the lights. Looking back, there was little for us to fear, but we did not know it at the time.
Times have changed. Now we live in a nation that is no longer protected by two oceans. Missiles and planes can reach us, and we have people living among us who plot to destroy us. Should we live in fear? How do Christians conduct their lives in such times?
If we look at the scriptures, we see that Christians have always lived in perilous times, often under harsh governments. Both the religious and temporal governments persecuted the first Christians. "And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem" (Acts 9:1,2).
Yet the answer they gave showed that their circumstances did not control their actions. "'But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.' ... But Peter and John answered and said unto them, 'Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard'" (Acts 4:17, 19-20).
Does this mean the disciples never felt fear? Of course not. Fear is a natural emotion. Peter followed Jesus to his trial but was afraid to confess him (Mt. 26:69-75). Joseph, who claimed the body of Jesus, kept his discipleship secret because of fear (John 19:38). Nicodemus came to Jesus by night (John 3:1, 2). Sometimes early Christians failed to handle their fears well, just as we do.
Are Christians to support truth and righteousness at all times, even in the face of danger? Jesus said, "Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell'" (Mt. 10:28). And Peter, having matured much since his denial of Christ, added, "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled'" (I Pet. 3:14).
Are the cares of life, and dangers, which come from war, governments, terrorists and other daily activities, going to cause us fear? Indeed they will, and it is right for the Christians to be concerned about such things. We are instructed "that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty'" (I Tim. 2:1,2).
In the past Christians in our nation have had little to fear from either other religions or nations. We pray this will continue, but other great nations have fallen because of sin and their rejection of God, by disobeying His commands, while professing His name. Pray that all will follow God's will. "A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident" (Prov. 14.16).
Jack