132 Fear Not!

Meaning: “conveying a significance that is not directly expressed . . .”

Fear not? Yes, fear not!

Old Testament Scripture basically has two applications of the Hebrew verb for fear (Hebrew, v. yârê, Strong’s #3372), Dear Reader: one, yârê is used primarily as an injunction to appreciate God and holy places and means respect or reverence; and two, yârê means to be afraid. Yârê is used in the Bible close to 330 times (Vine’s, p. 79). Psalm 23 verse 4 (NKJV), “I will fear (yârê) no evil” can be said to mean all three— meaning to neither reverence, respect, nor be afraid of evil.

Scripture adjures one repeatedly to “fear not,” meaning to not be afraid of evil from the world the flesh or the devil. And for good reason: God is greater than any or all three combined. In the New Testament, Scripture says, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28, NKJV. Greek v. phobeo, Strong’s #5399; to be frightened, alarmed; to reverence).”

Yet the most subtle and pervasive enemy—the Trickster— persists in trying to defeat believers. So let’s explore this subject a bit more.

As mentioned earlier, the Trickster finds it most effective to repeat attacks on the believer through the mind, with condemning phrases such as “You’ll never get it right! You’ll never be good enough! You’ll never be worthy!” And, of course, the Trickster is half right here, Gentle Reader. One will never get things all right, one will never be good enough, one will never be worthy . . . not on one’s own.

BUT, again, fear not Gentle Reader. Believers are truly blessed. In Christ Jesus one’s faith is accounted to one as righteousness and because of the voluntary transaction in His own blood, Jesus can promise one, He can literally promise one, that one will finally get things right (when glorified in eternity), will be good enough (conformed to His character), will be worthy (as He is worthy). What a blessing among so many more in Christ!

Just think of it as good mental health practices to resist such alarming, self-pitying thoughts. Instead, practice the Scriptural resistance techniques against them that we covered in Blog #131 and also the Scriptural injunction that one is to “fear no evil.” God will honor and reward one’s efforts if one faithfully persists.

Never fear, Gentle Reader. Mark 1:24 (NKJV) demonstrates how the Enemy and his cohorts recognize Jesus and respond to His authority: “saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with you Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’”

And Mark 1:27b (NKJV) goes on to say “For with authority He commands the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” This and other exchanges between Jesus and unclean spirits (Mark 5:1-20, NKJV; Legion) demonstrates the reality of “demons,” while also demonstrating Jesus’ power and authority over them, and therefore, the believer’s power and authority against their influence; As Mark 16:17a (NKJV) says, “And these signs will follow those who believe; In my name they will cast out demons.”

Believers do not have to fear (be afraid of) the “demons” of stray thoughts and mixed messages with resulting negative emotion and corrupted will, or “a demon behind every bush” for that matter (Ephesians 1:3, NKJV, "Blessed be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing . . ."). Scripture insists that it is the believer’s great blessing that “If God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31, NKJV)?”

So, trust God, keep the faith and fear not!

As each and every faithful believer can glean from relationship with God over time, Gentle Reader, His blessings are durable indeed.

To be continued . . .