FEAR FACTOR

Several years ago there was a T.V. program called Fear Factor which was a game show with stunts inspired by urban legends, popular scary movies and viral videos from today's cultural in which contestants will have to confront their fears to win money.

While this is dubbed reality T.V. it has little to do with reality. There is real or perceived fear that we face every day. There is the constant threat of domestic terrorism, violent criminals, joblessness, a collapsing economy, lawless leadership, covid-19, mindless Police and the Government itself. Then we are faced with natural calamities, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, landslides, and a hundred personal events. Our society is filled with anxiety. People are turning to drugs and drink to escape from this reality. People are giving up on their families and churches. Suicide in all forms (physical, social, sexual, etc.) are on the increase. Previsions in all its forms are now acceptable in “society” and considered normal. 

The Bible has a lot to say about fear. It tells us there are some who ought to be very afraid and others who have no need to fear. Concerning peace in this world the Bible says, 1Th_5:3  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Rev_6:4 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given to him a great sword. Mat 10:34-36 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.  I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Here is a big one, Mat_10:28  And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Here are some more verses, Mat 24:6-8, And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. 

Strong words from the Bible, and this is just a mere sampling of a few verses. But what about the verses that speak of peace? Where are they and to whom do they apply? 

Peace in the heart is not for everyone, it only belongs to those who are the true disciples or followers of Jesus Christ. He said, Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

I do not live in fear, I am not afraid because I believe the Bible and the Bible tells me that God is Sovereign over all of creation and over all men be they kings, presidents, generals or my next door neighbor. I do not fear what man can do to me or the pestilence (Covid-19) that threatens or the circumstances of life. Whatever natural event that will occur I am the Lord’s; I am one of His children, thus I am under His care and watchful eye. If I am sent to prison for not following the “beast” (government in Revelation) then I will be the Lord’s prisoner. If I die by some disease then it is gain for I will be in heaven with the Lord. 

Listen agin to what the Bible says, Psa 91:2-11 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 

Fear Factor, there is none for those who are in Christ Jesus. Are you in Christ? The evidence is repentance and faith (belief). Do you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ?