Fear is a spirit that binds people’s ability to reason and dialogue about beliefs and concepts that are different than what they have been taught. Anytime we hear something that contradicts or shifts a long-held belief it brings for many a response of disbelief that is then followed by fear, and then for many an attack against that belief without actually thinking about it, studying it, or meditating on the concept.
After years of teaching Gods word, I still see some people would rather live in the comfort of their ignorance than change a long-held belief that was taught to them by a loved family member or leader who was no doubt sincere and maybe even Godly, but at the same time sincerely wrong.
Some people seem to prefer secure slavery over scary freedom, and fear is the mindset, attitude, and spirit that keeps people from growing and learning.
When we get to a place of not wanting to hear something because we may have to change it is a sure sign that we are more ruled by fear than faith, and that then leads to the opposite of what Paul taught Timothy about walking in power, love, and soundness of mind (or self-discipline), and it leads to weakness, confusion, and no discipline or weakness of mind.
Fear, which comes from the word Phobos, which is where we get phobia's from can hinder someone from functioning or flowing in a God given gift as Paul told Timothy to stir up the gift that he had received, and when you have to stir something, or fire up as one translation says, it means it was not working because of fear.
One of the fears that many people have is the fear of being deceived, so they run from learning anything different then what they were taught because they had teachers that taught them "what" to think rather than "how" to think for themselves. Many also quote the verse that Jesus said about even the elect being deceived in Matt 24:24 without putting it in the context of what Jesus really was referring to. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us who leads us into all truth, so we need to stop being afraid of being deceived, because the things we fear the most end up coming upon us.
So, I want to encourage you don't be afraid of new experiences and reading authors outside of your normal circle of thought and listening to teachers who might have a different revelation, because you never know, you might just grow.
Comments