Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Conquering Fear Part II

I want to live life conquering fear and conquered by fear. There are two kinds of fear. The first kind is irrational fear. It is not based in reality. This is the kind of fear Paul talks about in 1 Timothy. God has not given us a spirit of fear (irrational timidity). The second kind is a fear based in reality. It is completely rational and completely relevant to everyday life. It is the fear of God.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. This isn't irrational terror but rather a true understanding of the nature of God. When we understand the holiness of God and the true implications of our sin we begin to have this kind of fear. This is the fear that drives us towards God. When we feel terror about anything but the wrath of God we are allowing a fear in our lives that is not based in reality, and it drives us away from God. I think often these different kinds of fear can feel the same. But they lead to totally different places. Fear of the world leads to bondage and misery. Fear of God leads to strength, freedom, and joy.
So this blog is about conquering the fear that is not based on reality and being conquered (controlled, in submission to) by the reality of an awesome God.

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