In what ways can fear hinder our obedience to God's commands? The Command Amplified “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 Why Fear Is So Subtle—and So Serious • Fear is more than an emotion; it is a rival authority that questions God’s right to lead us. • It whispers, “God may not keep His word,” directly contradicting His revealed, inerrant promises. • Because Scripture is literal and true, any challenge to God’s voice is rebellion dressed up in self-protection. Six Ways Fear Hinders Our Obedience 1. Distorts Our View of God ‑ Fear shrinks the Almighty to human proportions. Compare Numbers 13:31-33, where giants seemed bigger than God’s covenant. 2. Exaggerates Obstacles ‑ “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes” (Numbers 13:33). Fear turns molehills into mountains, paralyzing forward motion. 3. Breeds Delay and Inaction ‑ Peter walked on water until fear made him sink (Matthew 14:29-30). Hesitation often follows disbelief. 4. Fuels Compromise ‑ Saul kept spoils he was told to destroy because he feared the people (1 Samuel 15:24). Fear trades full obedience for partial compliance. 5. Silences Our Witness ‑ The apostles prayed for boldness precisely because fear would muzzle them (Acts 4:29-31). 6. Steals Joy and Strength ‑ “Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Fear drains the energy required to obey. God’s Promised Antidotes • Constant Presence – “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). • Gifted Power – “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). • Perfect Love – “Perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). • Certain Victory – “The battle belongs to the LORD” (1 Samuel 17:47). Putting Courage into Practice • Recall His Commands Daily – Memorize Joshua 1:9 and declare it aloud when anxiety strikes. • Remember Past Faithfulness – Keep a written record of answered prayers; testimony fuels courage. • Replace Lies with Truth – Confront each fear with a corresponding promise (e.g., fear of need ⇒ Philippians 4:19). • Move in Small Steps of Obedience – Courage grows as we obey incrementally: speak the word, make the call, take the stand. • Surround Yourself with the Courageous – Joshua had Caleb; seek companions who bolster faith, not feed fear. Takeaway Fear is not merely a feeling; it is an obstacle to wholehearted obedience. By embracing God’s presence, promises, and power, we silence fear’s voice and step forward to do exactly what He commands—confident that He goes with us wherever we go. |
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