"Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.’" Gen.3:7-10

Fear is often related to sin. Adam knew he had done wrong and he experienced fear for the first time. Because he "was afraid", he hid himself from God. Fear was the result of the first act of disobedience on this earth. Satan is not only the "father of lies" (John 8:44) but also the father of fear.

Fears of the Flesh
It is said that babies are born into this world with only two fears. One is the fear of loud noises and the other is the fear of falling. Psychologists tell us that by the time adulthood is reached, more than twenty-four additional fears have been implanted in us.

There are six categories of fear:

1. Dread - fear felt in an anticipatory sense.

2. Alarm - realization of a supposed or potential danger.

3. Dismay - loss of courage.

4. Fright - fear that is sudden and shocking.

5. Panic - a frightening and unreasoning fear.

6. Terror - an overwhelming and paralyzing fear.

Most of us have experienced some, if not all, of these different kinds of fear. We were all born subject to fear, even as we were born subject to sin and death.

Personal Fears
Let us look at what may be the seven most common fears of man. Note the prominence of Self and how it influences our actions.

1. The fear of rejection - stems from our concern of what others might think of us and often influences our actions. Everyone has the normal, human desire to be wanted and needed. Thus, many people will speak or act in ways simply to please others. Often compromises are made that go against what we would normally do or say as Christians. We do this because we want to have acceptance. The fear of what others might think of us is but another form of slavery. When we become fearful lest we be rejected it will result in stunted spiritual growth. We must put God and His righteous principles first, no matter what the results might be. None of us are above this temptation, not even the Apostle Paul! Yet, he states with full confidence, in Philippians 3:7:

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ."

Paul's overwhelming love for Christ helped him throw off all fear of man and rejection. May our love and commitment do the same for us for, "the fear of man brings a snare!" as we are told in Proverbs 29:25.

2. The fear of failing - Failure is always a possibility in any endeavor. Fear could hold us back from even trying to do anything. No one likes to fail, but failure can be a positive experience if we learn from it. Failures can be stepping stones towards success. Endeavors that are undertaken with perseverance will often meet obstacles and at times we will fail or fall short. Nevertheless, no Christian truly fails until he quits trusting in Jesus for the Victory! Let us set aside all the what ifs and taking our eyes off of Self, look to the guiding providence’s of our loving Father while fixing our eyes upon Jesus (Hebrews12:2). It is when we take our eyes off of him that we are tripped up. We are encouraged by the words found in Proverbs 24:16:

"For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity."

Let us step out confidently in the power of the Holy Spirit and we will have the promised Victory in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57). Let us remember that even if we experience setbacks, they can be growth experiences if we rise up again. Let us bring to mind the words of a famous hymn: "When I look at self I tremble, when I look to Thee I'm strong!"

3. The fear of change - has as its root in a lack of trust due to the uncertainty of the unknown. This fear will also keep us from growing. Change is essential to growth and progress. Resistance to change has been a plague to man's growth in the worldly realm as well as in his spiritual life. Human nature is comfortable with what is known. The known is thus often referred to as our comfort zone. Anything outside of our comfort zone is often a source of fear. Uncertainty is something man does not like, because he has no control over it. To be out of control can be a frightening thing if we do not trust God that the outcome will benefit us. As Christians, we must be willing to be out of control and to allow God to fully control our lives. We must make Jesus Christ our Comfort Zone! It is only then, and in the atmosphere of trust, acceptance and full submission that we will be able to leave this fear of change and of the unknown behind us. Yes, with God in control of our lives, and directed by His Holy Spirit, we will welcome change, for then we will be as pliable clay in the Potter's Hand. It is only by His workmanship and Grace that we will be conformed to the likeness of His Beloved Son (Philippians 1:6, Romans 8:29). 2 Corinthians 3:18 assures us:

"But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Let us fully depend upon the Lord! Thus, not knowing can be received in two ways; it can be seen through the eyes of fear or it can be seen through the eyes of faith. When we view things through the eyes of faith everything is an exciting challenge and adventure. We then look forward to being "workers together with God" (2 Corinthians 6:1). Let us look, therefore, with confidence, to "the Author and Finisher of our Faith" (Hebrews 12:2).

4. The fear of circumstances - limits our potential and indicates a lack of trust in God. There are many examples that we could consider from the Scriptures such as when Elijah fled from Jezebel, but let us look instead, at the account recorded in Genesis 26:6-7:

"So Isaac stayed in Gerar. When the men of that place asked him about his wife, he said, ‘She is my sister,’ because he was afraid to say, ‘She is my wife.’ He thought, ‘The men of this place might kill me on account of Rebekah, because she is beautiful.’"

Fear is often the basis of dishonesty and lies. You are indeed a rare person if you have not had a similar experience as that of Isaac. Have we not all, at some time or other, side- stepped some issue by telling a half-truth or some little white lie in order to avoid a confrontation? Sometimes we do this so quickly that we don't even take the time to think about it. It seems to be our natural (human) reaction. Yes, fear can make us do and say things or avoid doing and saying things that we later regret. Let us remember these wise admonitions from Proverbs:

Proverbs 12:17: "A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies."

Proverbs 16:13: "Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth."

Proverbs 24:26: "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips."

May honesty and forthrightness, based on God's Word, always be the prime mover in our lives. So, when "Fear knocks at our door, let us send Faith to answer it, and we will find that no one is there!"

5. The fear of the past - is a negative approach to life which always expects our former experiences to repeat themselves and results in a heavy anchor to our soul. No one likes to repeat a trying experience. The past can be an asset to us or it can be a deterrent. Fear of the past may cause us to try to avoid today's experiences which the Lord may be overruling to come to us for our ongoing spiritual growth. If we use the past in a positive manner, it will help us to more intelligently confront the experiences of today. The past and its experiences should have made us wiser. While it is true that history often "repeats itself," it does not mean that we must react in the same way that we did
formerly. Proverbs 3:13 tells us; "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." Wisdom very often comes from past experiences. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:13 to "forget the things that are behind"...not the lesson...but the fear and human-mindedness that comes from looking to self and not the Lord. So, let us not fear the past but use it as a profitable means of gaining wisdom and understanding and let us praise God for His infinite patience with us.

6. The fear of the future - and the unknown, when viewed from our own self perspective, will often seem uncertain and frightening. This is especially true in today's world. The stability and security of life, as we once knew it, is no longer there. Our society is in turmoil and on the brink of disintegration. It is more true today than ever before that men's hearts are failing them for the things they see, or think they see, coming upon the earth (Luke 21:26). Worry and concern seem to be the norm for our times. But this should not be true for the Christian who has turned over his life to God. Worry is truly a symptom of unbelief. It should immediately signal us that something is wrong with our thinking. How fitting are the words of the hymn: "I'd rather walk in the dark with God, than go alone in the light." But these words can only be truly uttered from a heart rich in faith towards God. Surely these are dark days for the world, but we are not children of the night or of darkness. We are children of light, and of the day (1 Thessalonians. 5:5). We have God's promises and His Holy Spirit of "power, love and a sound mind" to guide and support us come what may. Let us never lose the perspective given to us in 2 Corinthians 5:1;

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

This should be our goal as we remember those most assuring words found in Philippians 1:6;

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

Let us be able to say with the Psalmist; "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalms 46:1-2).

We must be totally convinced and believe these words and those in verse 7;

"The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah."

Yes, let us reflect and meditate upon the great promises of God and better yet...on the Great and Precious Promise!

7. The fear of death - because of its seeming finality, is something that we try to avoid even thinking of and therefore we may become obsessed with our humanity, its health and welfare, to the detriment of our Christian walk. Death for the Christian should not be something to dread if we have the hope of the Resurrection embedded in our hearts. The Apostle Paul said that it didn't matter whether he lived or died because his real desire was to be with the Lord. For those who die in Christ it will be as a moment...the twinkling of an eye till they shall be with their Lord Jesus at His return (1 Corinthians 15:52). The joyful anticipation of seeing their Savior face to face lies ahead (1 John 3:2). At death, a Christian's trials are ended.

The hymn that is often sung states this most beautifully:

As pants the hart for water brooks, So pants my soul for thee... Oh, when shall I see behold thy face, When wilt thou call for me? How oft at night I turn my eyes Towards my heavenly home, And long for that blest time, when thou, My Lord shalt bid me come. Let us honestly ask ourselves, "Is this my heart’s sincere desire?"

Handling Fears
How are we to handle the many fears that seem to be a part of us? We must take on a new mind-set. We must view life and its experiences from a brand new perspective. We must see these from the viewpoint of what God's will is for us in the matter. It is with this attitude that we can then face up to our fears and make the choice to set them aside by placing them and ourselves fully in God's hands. If our love for God and Christ Jesus is supreme in our lives, we will allow the "spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" that He has given us in Christ Jesus to operate to its full capacity (2 Timothy 1:7). Let us remember that fear can become our Master, but only if we choose to become its slave. Let us not forget that fear can become just as much a tyrant in our lives as were the Egyptian taskmasters to the Israelites in land of Goshen.

Keep in mind that fear is the parent to such debilitating thinking as worry, timidity, cowardice, depression, and self- limitation. Yes, fear can be like a tug-of-war in our lives; Faith pulling us one way and Unbelief pulling the opposite way. Faith is the answer to ALL our fears. If we truly take God at His Word, we will experience the freedom and peace in Christ that accompanies spiritually right choices. If we are continually "looking unto Jesus," not only his words and example, but by prayer asking for his strength and victory, we shall be freed from all of the pains and heartaches of all our fears. Jesus tells us in John 8:31-32;

"If you hold to my teaching, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Then in verse 36 he continues

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

It is only when we have placed ourselves completely in God's hands and are totally dependent upon Him, that we are rightly related to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then fear will not exercise any control in our lives. Let each of us say to Satan, the one who instills doubts in our hearts and minds and tempts us to unbelief, "Get thee behind me," and continue our walk unhindered towards our Heavenly Home. May we always praise and glorify our great and wonderful God for His loving care and providing every need we could ever have! Romans 8:32 assures us;

"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave him up for us all, will He not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"

Do you believe it? Do you really believe it?

© CDMI – Free Bible Students