Fear: The Emotion that will Fix You in a Fleshly F.O.G.
The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? - Psalm 118:6
Have you ever considered the weather condition, “fog”? What is it? Fog creates a cloud-like covering over surface areas - be it land, water or sea at any time. According to meteorologists, fog can develop immediately when warm surface temperatures confront and collide with cool air. Subsequently visibility is reduced to zero.
This fact is essential because although fog may be beautiful to the bystander with its mesmerizing ambiance, it creates a hazard to travelers. As a result, fog will vary in its density and is a dangerous element for people and especially vehicles of motion. Trying to battle through fog can result in injury or death.
Were you aware that emotions that are not surrendered to the Spirit will place you in a fleshly fog that obscures our view of God and can seriously injure our fellowship and peace with God and others?
Fear is one of those emotions that encompasses us with a dense cloud of doubt and blinds us to the truth. It also challenges the credibility of God and calls into question His faithfulness. For our consideration I have employed the following acrostic in order to examine the enemy of trust.
Fear
Obscures
God
When we consider the word “fear” in its biblical context, it will lead us to conclusions that are in concert with the Spirit of God. Conversely, all positions on fear outside the biblical framework of faith will promote a fleshly or worldly understanding which leads to a man-centered conclusion. A man-centered position obstructs our view of a holy and benevolent God. In addition, it advances error as well as confusion. Consequently, a man-centered position on fear will keep you in the FOG (Fear-Obscures-God).
This fear comes from humanity (our flesh) and hell (via the devil and his demons) and is not beneficial for the believer. It is bountiful in beat-downs, big in bondage and is strongly discouraged because it will keep you fixed in the FOG. This type of fear must be trounced and trampled. Deliverance from fear from our humanity or any hellish influence solely is situated in trusting God.
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” - Psalm 56:3-4
Fear is a fight that no one can avoid. It touches all of us. There are none who are exempt from its encroachment in our hearts and minds. Even David, the giant-killer and the fugitive who was pursued by King Saul for four years, experienced fear. However, he did not park in fear and he gives us his antidote to the venom of fear in the scriptures.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. - Psalm 21:1-5 (KJV)
This sounds like a man that put fear to flight! He was not fixed in the FOG (Fear-Obscures-God)!
The Word of God reminds us that fleshly and ungodly fear is not condoned and we should not accept it.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
For example the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:7 does not sanction fear but gives us a clear contrast by spelling out the characteristics of Godly fear. Ungodly fear that injures and incarcerates us does not come from God but from the fall. This kind of fear desires to consume and overcome us. To overcome it, we need to trust in God and the love of God completely.
Trusting in the love of God is a lethal and effective weapon to wipe out fear in a convincing way! Fear is knocked down to the ground when our trust in the love of God abounds in our hearts and mind.
“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.” – 1 John 4:18(KJV)
Perfect love is God’s love. Love for God and the love of God can never coexist or be roommates with fear in our hearts! When we trust and embrace this truth, fear is kicked out and evicted!!
I close with a list of consequences for parking in the FOG!!
- It prevents opportunities
- It prevents us from employing God's power
- It prevents us from speaking for the Lord
- It prevents one from coming to Christ as Lord and Savior
- It circumvents closeness with the Lord
- It attacks our acceptance of God
- If not checked and addressed, it will lead to eternal separation from God
Thoughts of timidity or anxiousness about what man can do to us will toss you in a trap. Trusting in the Lord makes us trap-proof!
For the Glory of God,
PBKSR