Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
10 4 2024

Audio Version

The “culture of fear” surrounding Christianity today manifests in a lot of ways for various reasons, including fear of persecution, fear of societal rejection, and fear of losing personal freedoms.
We fear teaching our kids to be bold and courageous in sharing their faith, and our hesitancy
or flat refusal, by the sake of example, flows downhill directly to them.  We know they miss nothing. 
If we aren’t teaching them how to express their faith,
do we expect the public school system to take over that responsibility, too?

 I get it. This environment can lead to anxiety and hesitation in expressing one’s faith openly.
But Jesus didn’t leave us with a spirit of fear. First-century Christians could lose their homes,
and their families and children and be sent to the Colosseum to be eaten for entertainment.
We in America are not faced with that level of possibility or fear.
Here are some key aspects of this culture and how it impacts Christians,
along with some scriptural suggestions for overcoming these fears.

The “culture of fear” surrounding Christianity today manifests in a lot of ways for various reasons, including fear of persecution, fear of societal rejection, and fear of losing personal freedoms. We fear teaching our kids to be bold and courageous in sharing their faith, and our hesitancy or flat refusal, by the sake of example, and it flows downhill directly to them.  We know they miss nothing.  If we aren’t teaching them how to express their faith, do we expect the public school system to take over that responsibility, too?

 I get it. This environment can lead to anxiety and hesitation in expressing one’s faith openly. But Jesus didn’t leave us with a spirit of fear. First-century Christians could lose their homes, and their families and children and be sent t

Aspects of the Culture of Fear

  • Fear of Persecution: Many Christians fear backlash for their beliefs, especially in increasingly secular environments. This can lead to self-censorship and a reluctance to share their faith.  Matthew 28:19-20  Jesus commands his disciples to make disciples of all nations, and promises to be with them always. This command is known as the Great Commission and applies to all who follow Jesus. This is our responsibility and a direct command from Jesus himself.
  • Fear of Judgment: Christians might feel judged by non-believers or even other Christians for their beliefs and actions, leading to isolation and discouragement.
    The natural man should fear it, But Christians should be free from such fear. Is there anything that is more glorious about the Gospel than just that?
  • Fear of Rejection: The fear of being ostracized or not accepted by friends, family, or society can make Christians hesitant to live out their faith authentically.
    Psalm 27:10 says: “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close”. Hebrews 12:24 says: “Through the finished work of Messiah Jesus on the cross, you can be victorious in the battle against the spirit of rejection”
  • Fear of the Future: Uncertainty about societal trends and potential persecution can create a sense of hopelessness or despair.
    The Bible says that those who know Christ do not fear the end of days and that God’s revelation of the end times is to encourage and motivate people, not frighten us.  
    Matthew 6:25: Challenges people to trust God rather than falling into worry and anxiety.  Is God truly sovereign to you?  Luke 12:25-26: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”

Let’s consider the obvious Impact on Christians that today’s Culture of Fear feeds.

  • Emotional Burden: Constant fear leads to anxiety, stress, and feelings of inadequacy.
  • Stifled Witness: Fear prevents Christians from sharing their faith, hindering their ability to evangelize and fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
  • Divided Community: A fearful atmosphere can create divisions within the church as believers respond to external pressures in various ways. When we don’t step forward to help or volunteer how can we be an instrument of peace and be obedient to use our gifts for the sake of his glory?

Scriptural Suggestions to Overcome the Culture of Fear

  1. Embrace God’s Presence:
    • Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
    • This verse reminds believers that God is always with them, providing strength and support.
  2. Perfect Love Casts Out Fear:
    • 1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”
    • Understanding and embracing God’s love will alleviate fears and encourage believers to express their faith boldly.
  3. Courage in Christ:
    • Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
    • This verse says we can overcome any fear with Christ’s strength.
  4. Peace in Troubling Times:
    • John 16:33: “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
    • Even Jesus acknowledges the reality of fear and trouble but offers hope and assurance of His victory.
  5. Not Ashamed of the Gospel:
    • Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…”
    • This should encourage you to boldly proclaim your faith without fear of societal backlash. Let your children see your faith.

Conclusion

While the culture of fear surrounding Christianity can be disheartening, believers can find strength and encouragement in Scripture every time they look for it. By focusing on God’s promises and love, Christians can overcome their fears and boldly live out their faith in a world that often feels and is hostile. Engaging in community and prayer and seeking support from fellow believers can also help mitigate feelings of fear and isolation. We need each other to stand strong.  God gave us community for that reason.

We know what we are against, but we need to be better and more articulate on what we stand for… without fear… Trusting God implicitly.   
We can’t just take the attitude that I don’t do that well. I’m not a great speaker or conveyor of my thoughts. I’m not prepared to defend myself or my beliefs.
 I understand that.  Fear is at a crisis level in America.
We can go to a tech school or take some specific college course to improve because we can’t afford college   But where is our gumption to know God and what he is capable of?
How is his character and goodness manifested in each of us…
Who’s watching?
 In a world whose only truth is what people feel and want now, we need to shine his light to extinguish fear and stand for Jesus Eternally!

To pass this lesson and future devotions to someone, send them this Signup link: http://eepurl.com/gKlklD Blessings

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) [Live at Linger Conference] People & Songs ft Josh Sherman