Fear will make you rationalize your situation. Even though the truth may be that you're in a dangerous situation, out of fear to change, you might pretend like everything is okay. We must remember that fear is not something we get from God. 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 NKJV). Rather, fear can lead us to disobey God.
For example, out of fear, the servant who was given one talent went and buried it instead of being a good steward of his lord's money (Matthew 25:14-30). Of what was he afraid? That his lord was a hard man, and described him as one who would reap a crop which he did not plant. Since the servant knew the nature of his lord, he ought to have known that his lord would be displeased with his actions. But his fear prompted him to bury the talent.
When his lord came back to settle accounts, the lord told him that since he "knew" what kind of man he was, he "ought to have deposited [his] money with the bankers." Because then it would have at least earned interest. Therefore, his lord called him wicked and lazy, and cast him out of his position in the household and punished him severely. Fear can make a person wicked and lazy in the sight of God and determine his eternal destiny. That is sobering.
It is in the Bible that we learn of the nature of our God. We can come to a perfect understanding of what He expects of us, for truth is knowable. Jesus said, And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). Out of fear, one can know the truth, but refuse to do it. For example, if one's family belongs to a certain denomination, one can be fearful of leaving denominationalism for the Lord's church. Or out of fear, a person may refuse to walk down the church aisle to be baptized into Christ, or to come back to God in repentance. They may think something like, "Surely God will understand. He is gracious. I don't need to do those things." But it still says in the Bible regarding denominationalism, Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10). Regarding salvation, it reads, He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16). Regarding restoration, it is written, Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you (Acts 8:22).
Since we know these things, we know what we must do. Do not let fear take root in your heart. God has given us a spirit of power to overcome fear, of love so that we can ignore our fear, of a sound mind so that we can work through our fears (2 Timothy 1:7). Hell will be full of people who were "cowardly" on this earth (Revelation 21:8). So let us not forget the exhortation which says, Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Brotherly, Jamie
