Fear is a liar- part 2
A few months ago, we considered some stories from Genesis and how Adam and Eve - as well as Cain - believed certain lies that led them to make wrong decisions out of fear. One more quick look at the Cain and Abel story - a few lines that we read but didn’t talk about from
Genesis 4:6-7..
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
‘Sin is crouching at your door… You must Rule over it’.. The word ‘rule’ here is the same word for “to reign, or to have dominion over”. Where have we seen that phrase before? With Adam in the garden, right? Adam was allowed to name the animals, and he (and we) were given dominion over them. And then we said that sometimes we become fearful - we believe a lie from the enemy and our behavior towards our brothers and sisters (who, by the way, were also created in God’s image) becomes… animal-like instead of Christ-like.
Remember, this is BEFORE Cain killed Abel. Cain had believed whatever lie the enemy had told him (“You’re not good enough, Abel made you look bad,” whatever it was), and God saw it (of course he saw it - He’s God, right?). So, before Cain killed Abel, God spoke directly to him - he took Cain’s thoughts and told him to consider them - and to consider his response to the emotions he was feeling. To consider his response to the lie he was being told… He is saying, “I have given you a way out, an opportunity to rule over this lie, to have dominion over what the enemy is trying to do.” He was telling Cain to take his thoughts captive before they take him captive, right?
But Cain had to choose. And so do we. So as we close out our conversation on fear, what can we use to help take our thoughts captive - to counteract the lies of the enemy? Obviously, scripture, right? But specifically, consider:
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.
‘Perfect Love casts out fear…’
So, what are we afraid of?
Being alone? God is there.
Being found out and punished? Jesus died on the cross for that - He already took the punishment for our sin.
Not giving good enough gifts? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, once and for all.
Fear of missing out? Jesus died so we can live as part of the Kingdom now, and spend eternity with Him. We’re missing nothing.
Fear of God holding out on you? He gave you His Son, and He has given us the keys to the kingdom - not just for later, but here and now - He gives us His Spirit to live within us. Jesus said that those of us who drink the water that He gives - from them will overflow springs of living water. The kingdom is here and now - we’re living in it… unless we’re allowing lies and fear to hinder it.
So, as events come up that steal your rest and joy - circumstances, hard days, difficult conversations, other worries and fears, remember - perfect love casts out fear - so be intentional about getting back into your time with God, your time with community, and face whatever the issue is head-on, because you, for your entire life up to this point, and for the rest of your life - you have been - and will continue to be - loved PERFECTLY. Anything that tells you differently… is a lie.
A few months ago, we considered some stories from Genesis and how Adam and Eve - as well as Cain - believed certain lies that led them to make wrong decisions out of fear. One more quick look at the Cain and Abel story - a few lines that we read but didn’t talk about from
Genesis 4:6-7..
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
‘Sin is crouching at your door… You must Rule over it’.. The word ‘rule’ here is the same word for “to reign, or to have dominion over”. Where have we seen that phrase before? With Adam in the garden, right? Adam was allowed to name the animals, and he (and we) were given dominion over them. And then we said that sometimes we become fearful - we believe a lie from the enemy and our behavior towards our brothers and sisters (who, by the way, were also created in God’s image) becomes… animal-like instead of Christ-like.
Remember, this is BEFORE Cain killed Abel. Cain had believed whatever lie the enemy had told him (“You’re not good enough, Abel made you look bad,” whatever it was), and God saw it (of course he saw it - He’s God, right?). So, before Cain killed Abel, God spoke directly to him - he took Cain’s thoughts and told him to consider them - and to consider his response to the emotions he was feeling. To consider his response to the lie he was being told… He is saying, “I have given you a way out, an opportunity to rule over this lie, to have dominion over what the enemy is trying to do.” He was telling Cain to take his thoughts captive before they take him captive, right?
But Cain had to choose. And so do we. So as we close out our conversation on fear, what can we use to help take our thoughts captive - to counteract the lies of the enemy? Obviously, scripture, right? But specifically, consider:
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.
‘Perfect Love casts out fear…’
So, what are we afraid of?
Being alone? God is there.
Being found out and punished? Jesus died on the cross for that - He already took the punishment for our sin.
Not giving good enough gifts? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, once and for all.
Fear of missing out? Jesus died so we can live as part of the Kingdom now, and spend eternity with Him. We’re missing nothing.
Fear of God holding out on you? He gave you His Son, and He has given us the keys to the kingdom - not just for later, but here and now - He gives us His Spirit to live within us. Jesus said that those of us who drink the water that He gives - from them will overflow springs of living water. The kingdom is here and now - we’re living in it… unless we’re allowing lies and fear to hinder it.
So, as events come up that steal your rest and joy - circumstances, hard days, difficult conversations, other worries and fears, remember - perfect love casts out fear - so be intentional about getting back into your time with God, your time with community, and face whatever the issue is head-on, because you, for your entire life up to this point, and for the rest of your life - you have been - and will continue to be - loved PERFECTLY. Anything that tells you differently… is a lie.
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