FOR ALL OF US , our feelings of anxiety are held in uncomfortable tension by our need for security in the face of uncertain outcomes. We want a definable answer to our complex issues before we can or will decide a path of action, otherwise we are held locked in indecision. A biblical proverb underscores a deep spiritual truth that has imperative and universal life application for us during these moments. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (Prov. 29:25) Yes, we are threatened by harm occasionally, from the street thug demanding our valuables at the threat of physical abuse, to the employer that may or may not sustain our job, or perhaps offer a promotion based on additional cost of our time and energies.
The possibilities for activating such debilitating fears lie in waiting for us every day—if we are a person governed by a foreboding sense of personal peril. And that is the point of the proverb. An underlying fear of ‘what might happen’ has indeed proven to be a snare. A snare is something used to catch prey. In the spiritual sense, a snare is something likely to lure or tempt us into personal harm or error. Indeed, the wiles of the enemy of our soul may tempt us into a sin or sins of commission, in which case we are then held in thrall in the grasp of Satan.
But consider this: to be ensnared in fear of what might happen, without it actually having happened, is a great binding of our spiritual freedom. Without having committed an overt sin, we are yet trapped in fear of doing so. This in and of itself becomes a sin of omission—and it gives a victory to the enemy of our souls without us ever having gone to battle. And so the Lord Jesus, who says “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36), also says, “surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20b) He is speaking revelatory truth from the prophet Isaiah: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” (Isa. 41:10) His intention is that we have confidence in God, and he desires that we fully understand that it is in his person that we overcome our ancient enemy. Scripture affirms Jesus’ power over Satan, as John reveals: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8)
Our decision-making process in this life must be grounded in unshakeable truths if we are to choose the best of outcomes. Paul writes this as a maxim: “Let God be true, and every human being a liar.” (Rom. 3:4) Elsewhere he adds, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom. 12:2) Proverbs speaks to this same informed choice process. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov. 3:5-6)
It is also a proverb that teaches us a broad truth about biblical fear. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Prov. 1:7) A far more specific fear—one of principal truth–is pointed out to us by the Lord Jesus. “But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:5) Then Jesus adds, in counterbalance and context with our theme, “When you are brought before authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:11-12) And the teaching of the Holy Spirit is this: “He will remind us of everything Jesus has said to us” (John 14:26), and, “He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.” (John 16:8)
Numerous commentators have pointed out that the bible has 365 “Fear nots” interleavened throughout the entirety of scriptures—one for each of the 365 days of our Gregorian calendar. Absent a weighty and cumbersome concordance in this matter, let us simply reflect upon the fact that we can trust God completely, and it is in this trust that we find the assurances of our faith grounded in hope. This N.T. scripture encourages us: “God has said, ‘never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?’” (Heb. 13:5b-6)
When the enemy seeks to defeat us, whether by whispers of men or outright assault of Satan, it is only necessary to realize that our battle with the fears of what might happen have been forever settled at the Cross of Calvary. There, ‘The works of the devil have been (forever) destroyed.’ Perhaps this reminder from Paul, enacted in faith, will best sustain our souls. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Gal. 5:1)
Q. Am I driven by fear or led by faith?
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