Fear has always been one of the tools of the enemy (the chief enemy of the Christian – the devil) to keep us from walking perfectly with God. Fear has crippled many; made some deny their faith in God; created a compromised lifestyle in others. (See Nature of Fear Part 1 & Nature of Fear Part 2)
Fear has made people become seeker-sensitive in the sense that they play in the safe arena of Christianity and for others, fear has made their prayer-life non-existent because they refuse to engage in spiritual warfare or run away from enforcing authority over demonic forces.
In today’s blog, I will focus on the nature of fear that reveals the subtle pride in those taken by it.
Fear is Pride.
As a Christian, it is pride to live in fear as your actions reveal that you are trusting in your own ability to overcome challenges, battles, and issues in your life. To live in fear is to depend on anything else except God or to declare that God is unable, unwilling, or too distant to help.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
“Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
If indeed you have cast all your cares upon Jesus, why then should you fear? It is pride to keep your cares and trust in your own ability to take care of it. In bullet points below, I describe the nature of fear as it relates to pride.
- Fear is pride because you think you can do it yourself and you are relying on your own strength.
- Fear is pride because you would not cast your cares upon Him.
- Fear is pride because you are disobedient to the word of the Lord that commands you not to fear.
- Fear is pride because it is rooted in unbelief.
- Fear is pride because you have declared God as being unable, unwilling, and irresponsible.
The psalmist said:
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4)
Beloved, seek the Lord. He will hear you and deliver you from all your fears in Jesus’ name.
