Don’t Be Afraid

Everyone knows what it’s like to be afraid. We all have things that we’ve been afraid of in life. Things such as death, heights, the dark, people, of what people may say or think, of not meeting other peoples or standards, and much more. There is even a fear in the physical that is good for us to take heed of, fear that keeps us from driving 200+ mph, fear of picking up a rattle snake, or jumping off a building, or any other foolish thing one could think of.

Now, there is a healthy fear that we as Christians should have. It is a fear of God, which is reverence for God and everything that pertains to Him. What do the Scriptures tell us about fearing God (Psalm 25:12-14) (Psalm 31:19) (Psalm 119:120) (Matthew 10:27-28) (Luke 1:50) 

There is a fear that is harmful, this is the spirit of fear that Paul mentions in this epistle to Timothy. This fear paralyzes us, and can even keep us from doing things we could or should do. Satan is a master at using our fears against us. Many times we do not share our faith with someone because we are afraid…..

1. Of what will they think of me?
2. That I will turn them off from wanting to hear the gospel?
3. To mess up – say the wrong thing?
4. Of being rejected, or ridiculed

Sometimes we don’t get involved in service to the Lord because of fear, fear that…..

1. I can’t teach a Sunday School class
2. I can’t help in the nursery
3. I could never be a missionary
4. I can’t sing very well 
5. I can’t play an instrument very well
6. I can’t share my testimony like other people can

Yet, the Bible says in (Isaiah 41:10)….Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. So Paul tells Timothy….For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. This kind of fear is what brought a convicting blow from the pen of Paul 

(1:6)….Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. Stir up, has the idea of stirring up a fire to keep it burning, to kindle afresh, to keep in full flame. Remember who is in you, who empowers you, what the Lord wants from you (1 Timothy 4:11-16)