But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
John 7:13 NLT
http://bible.com/116/jhn.7.13.NLT
Fear.
If it is fear in anything other than God, it can paralyze us and keep us from the opportunities at hand. But fear itself is not bad, it just needs to be directed towards the only thing worth fearing.
Halloween is the time of year that the world wants to remind us of all kinds of things that are false, fake and imaginary that can be distractions from what we should truly fear. But if I know the truth and I fear only God, why would I fear such silly things as monsters and ghosts? If I have God on my side, then which of these should I fear? Not even one.
You see, fear isn’t meant to paralyze us and stop us in our tracks, it is meant to convict us and keep us on the narrow path. It is meant to protect us from danger, to remind us in whom we find our courage and strength.
But for someone who does not have confidence in that one true source of strength that does not leave or forsake us – the world offers many “scary” things to trap us. The trick is that they don’t look like traps at all when viewed with our eyes of flesh.
They are things like promiscuity with that beautiful person that catches our eye.
They are things like that raise that we can get at work by compromising our integrity.
They are things like building a kingdom of believers worshipping and following a brand name or a leader or an experience instead of Jesus Christ.
They are things like taking credit ourselves for the things that He deserves all the praise and honor and glory.
They are things like clinging to material things that we want and missing the opportunity of filling the needs of another.
You see, some of these scariest things are made attractive and tempting if we only have eyes of flesh.
These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/pro.6.16-19.NKJV
Lord, help us to fear the one thing worth fearing and acknowledging – You. Let our eyes be opened to the foolish tricks and traps and temptations of this world, and instead of following the attrition of our eyes of flesh, let our spiritual eye of discernment, that voice of your Holy Spirit, guide us along the narrow path that is fearing you alone. For that is the only place that true wisdom is to be found. Teach us and guide us and strengthen us and humble us at your feet, and establish our steps along this path – protecting us in your hand, not allowing us to run out of it or be snatched from it, Lord. Let us be yours for eternity. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 