Why do we do the things that we do? What are the underlining motives that tend to push or pull us in a particular direction? While I would like to think that all of my decisions are based on sound, rational thinking and Spirit-led reflection, sometimes my motives are much less pure. Two of the most common bad motives that I have encountered are fear and guilt.
Fear likes to keep us prisoner and can show up in the most unusual places. Many times fear comes because we are worried what others think. We so want to be accepted by man that we are willing to offend God. Maybe I think, "Well, God said that He would never leave me. I don't have the same guarantee from man." But does this make any sense to "disappoint" the one who most embodies true love?
Fear many times operates as a tag team partner with guilt. When we don't do what others want or expect, we feel bad. Guilt comes and forces us into a corner. We start to live based on the expectations of others not who we really are. But why? Why be true to others and not ourselves...our true identity in Christ?
Maybe JFK was right - we have nothing to fear but fear itself. When we look behind the curtain we see that the fear monger is really nothing special. We will ask, "Is this the one who confounded the nations?" The devil really is nothing to worry about because God, the Creator, of the universe is with us. As the apostle John wrote, "Perfect love casts out all fear." We are loved perfectly by God.
Fear makes us feel powerless - a slave to something bigger than us. Concerned about the future, we don't act today. We sit on the bench waiting for something to happen that never comes. Fear can lead us to question the motives of others. It causes us to feel unloved and suspicious even of kind words or good deeds. Fear makes us feel uncertain, double minded. Fear leads even rational minds to think completely absurd thoughts. Fear makes us feel like a ping pong ball battered around from side to side.
Now let's see what Scripture says about how God intends us to live. The apostle Paul cautioned in a letter, "We have not inherited a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. These stand as the antithesis to fear. God has given His children His Spirit because He loves us perfectly. Why then do I feel so powerless, unloved and confused sometimes?
Oh Father God, set me free from the spirit of fear. Help me to take on the mind of Christ and walk in Your power, Love and Wisdom. You love me perfectly and gave Jesus to save me. I am free to live, believe and see things with Your eyes. It is finished! Amen!
