Fear and Its Opposition
Fear stands in opposition to FAITH. Fear stands in opposition to LOVE. The Christian aim in life is unadulterated agape LOVESelfless love marked by patience, mercy, and humility—central to living in spiritual liberty. (1st John 4)
2nd Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1st John 4:18 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.
Ways Fear is Instilled in Believers
The ways and means of keeping believers in fear can be lengthy:
GOD
God is angry. Jesus is conditional. Holy Spirit will abandon you.
BIBLE
Must read it. It is our manual and guide. It must be lived exactly. Must memorize. We use it to beat each other.
CHURCH
Better join us. Better attend. Better serve. Better support with money and time. Better behave.
BELIEFS
Better believe exactly right or you’re in trouble. Better believe as “we” or “I” believe or you are in trouble. Better concur with how the majority believe or you aren’t saved.
SINMissing the mark of faith and love—no punishment, just lost growth or peace.
If you do this you are in trouble. If you do this you’re not a Christian. This sin is permissible but these sins are not.
AUTHORITY
Don’t respect his (or my) authority you’re fighting God. Don’t do what I say, you’re fighting God. Fear if you find yourself fighting God. I speak for God on earth.
HELL
Hell is forever and there is no getting out. Don’t believe as we do, you’re going to hell. Don’t live as we live, you’re going to hell. Don’t attend our type of church, you’re going to hell. Commit this sin, you’re going to hell.
Fear vs. Christian Love
All of these can and are typically used to invoke and produce fear, which is antithetical to love. And if antithetical to love, then a stumbling block to being a true Christian.
