Introduction:
Should a born again Christian ever have negative emotions? Hurtful emotions like rejection, self-pity, hatred, or revenge. What about emotions like despair, loneliness, discouragement, depression, or lust?
Where do they come from? Is there anything we can do about them? These are not the result of the indwelling Holy Spirit, are they? His fruit is radically different! So where do they come from? Am I doing something wrong? Or, am I really a Christian?
At the core of all negative emotions…is fear.
It has been estimated that 90% of the chronic patients who see today’s physicians have one common symptom. Their trouble didn’t start with a cough or chest pains or excessive stomach acid. Their first symptom was fear! That’s the observation of a famous internist who adds, "sooner or later fear manifests itself as a clinical symptom.
Sometimes the fear is only a superficial anxiety, sometimes it is so deep-seated the patient himself denies its existence and makes the rounds from doctor to doctor, taking injections, hormones, tranquilizers and tonics in search of relief.
Fear is NOT a figment of the imagination. It is real. And it has the power to destroy you. Fear leads to dread, worry, and other problems that affect mind, body, and soul. It’s no wonder that God admonishes us 80 times in Scripture to "Fear Not!"
What the Bible says…
Before sin: life was love-based. After sin life became fear based.
Gen 3.1-12
2 Thessalonians 2.9-12… "the lie" about God
God is not Someone to be afraid of, but Someone to be a Friend of.
Romans 14.23…whatsoever is not of faith is sin
John 4.18…perfect love casts out fear.
Psalm 94.18,19…
1 John 4.4…greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of Infinite power. – SC 20.1
James 1.17…every perfect gift and every good gift is from God
The heart of God yearns over His earthly children with a love stronger than death. – SC21.2
Hebrews 4.14-16…come to God with confidence
What can I do?
- Recognize that fear is real and that it can have debilitating consequences, both physically and spiritually.
- Realize that Christ is the answer to your fears. He alone can take away the cause and the effects of fear in your life.
- Recognize that "perfect love casteth out all fear." Know that as your love for Christ grows, so will your ability to resist fear, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Recognize that God is bigger than any fear you have or any danger you face. John reminds us that "…greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (1 John 4.4)
Conclusion…
At the core of our fallen nature we are motivated by fear. We must recognize and learn to un-worry and trust. Respond to the motivation of love.
Appeal:
Growing up as God’s kids, we must be honest with our fears and every other negative emotion. Face them WITH God and watch the healthy emotions get stronger and the negative emotions get weaker.
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Yakima, WA 98907