The presence of fear in our society today is unreal. Not only is it invading our homes through media (news, commercials) and social media but now fear is infiltrating our churches. It baffles me the lengths that the devil is willing to go to to instill unrest and discord: FEAR!
Our bodies are hardwired to automatically go into fight or flight mode when scared or pressured. I firmly believe that the devil is dancing on every frayed nerve we have. When nervous and stressed we tend to be reactive to triggers instead of rational thinkers. This constant dance of deception makes not only society vulnerable but also Christians and the church as a whole. We as a church have become like the world looking for direction from those who society has deemed to be the ones to follow.
It’s no wonder we are a nervous, anxious population, we are not looking to God as our guide. We have people of the world telling us that we should be doing this and then rescinding that advise the next day. Our world is in chaos and we can’t stop arguing over who is right and who is wrong. Determine what you should believe and how you should act!
By nature, I’m a researcher and I find it hard not to examine what has been labeled as the truth. We are told to know what we believe and why we believe it in church. I didn’t fully comprehend the meaning of that statement until I began to see the disarray or the world around me. Maybe it was from the circumstances that are happening in this crazy year of 2020 or maybe it’s from studying the Bible deeper. I know the Bible is the ultimate truth. It’s what drives my heart and makes me question thoughts that cross my mind and visions that travel by my eyes.
Question the world and research facts with God’s Holy Word just like the Bereans did in Acts 17: 10-12. This is how we can protect ourselves and our families from the onslaught of misinformation that’s hurdled at us constantly from mass media. We are told in 1 John 4:18 that there is no fear in love; instead perfect love drives out fear. However, the so called experts don’t want us checking their truths nor do they want us pointing out where the lies are. They want us to have the presence of fear to get ratings. I want you to know that this is of the devil. God wants us to know the truth, in fact, He tells us to know the truth. So if you have someone demanding you to trust their information and then in the same breath telling you not to scrutinize their words; you need to be cross referencing the validity of their claims.
We are in the 21st century! We are not in Biblical times when they had to be told what the Bible said because most couldn’t read. Information is at our fingertips. Most everyone has a Bible and if you don’t, nearly everyone has a smart phone and access to apps. Don’t let people tell you what to believe. Discern for yourselves from what God has given you in His word. Don’t be led blindly by society’s teachings. So called experts or scholars in a field or by false leaders in the prosperity gospel. Leaders like this will continue to lead followers into unrest and discord, better known as fear!
God does not instill fear! He says “do not fear” 365 times in the Bible with one such time being in Isiah 41:10 (Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand). He doesn’t want us to have the presence of fear. He wants us to trust Him fully. Anything that causes our hearts and minds to be full of anxious fear is not of God! Be mindful of where your thoughts go and be mindful of God’s word so you may know the truth in what you hear from the world.
Paula Jean is the founder of Krafty Koncessions, a Christian lifestyle blog where faith meets creativity. She writes about prayer, overcoming, and walking closer with Christ.
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