Fear is the killer

There is a certain state of mind for the Christian. Fear is not a part of it. First though there is a steadfastness. A reddying of the soul for the day we are given. Every day is a decision; every hour a measurement of ourselves as a person created in the image of God and placed in some particular context in His universe. This section from the Proverbs tells us a lot about how the Christian should fit themselves for the day…

Proverbs 4:20

My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
24 Put away perversity from your mouth;
keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.
27 Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

The assumption is that this is not an automatic state of mind. This is a way of life that requires moment to moment coordination of our thoughts to becoming the kind of a person that we want to be. The kind of a person that is after God’s own heart. But still, it is a decision. It is not something to be gained through the sacraments, by habituation, or by whatever magical method of spiritual formation presented by the religions. So Joshua can tell us forcefully to choose; choose this day whom you will serve. If it is the LORD, your covenant is with Him and your thoughts and actions should be there also…

Joshua 24:14

“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us to forsake the LORD to serve other gods! 17 It was the LORD our God himself who brought us and our fathers up out of Egypt, from that land of slavery, and performed those great signs before our eyes. He protected us on our entire journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. 18 And the LORD drove out before us all the nations, including the Amorites, who lived in the land. We too will serve the LORD, because he is our God.”
19 Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”
21 But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.”
22 Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.
23 “Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
24 And the people said to Joshua, “We will serve the LORD our God and obey him.”
25 On that day Joshua made a covenant for the people, and there at Shechem he drew up for them decrees and laws.”

Fear is the killer. Fear is an infection. Either you will control it or it will control you. There is a very real discussion to be had on this next set of verses, whether to have no fear is a command, or simply a helpful instruction. I think it is obvious from the context and the intent of the LORD that He is giving a charge here. DO NOT BE AFRAID. It is not good for you. It is faithlessness. You are in a covenant with your God that he will sustain and protect you. Your enemies have no power over you. Therefore; do not be afraid.  It’s also important to remember that the fearful person is not the one that does not understand that there may be trails or suffering ahead, or that might feel physical reactions to the pressing confrontation that they may endure, but the one who is not willing to act faithfully regardless of such things.  Fear is not a feeling.  It is a way of being.

Deuteronomy 20:1

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
5 The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not dedicated it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may dedicate it. 6 Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. 7 Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” 8 Then the officers shall add, “Is any man afraid or fainthearted? Let him go home so that his brothers will not become disheartened too.”

Christopher Neiswonger