Knowledge Is An Effective Antidote For Fear
by John Waddey(117)
firstcenturychristian
We grant that many real dangers threaten us. We concede that a certain amount of fear of danger is wise and essential to our survival. But we observe that some folks continue their lives without inordinate fear or anxiety. They are able to maintain happiness and equilibrium as they go about the daily activities. What do they have that gives them that freedom from the crippling power of fear?
Three things come to mind:
* There is the power of faith in a loving God who will look after them and keep them safe (II Tim. 1:11).
* They tend to be people with an adequate fund of knowledge and information.
* Their knowledge allows them to have confidence in themselves that they can see the danger, take appropriate steps to avoid it or to defend themselves if they must.
Point two we will discuss in detail. Ignorance is an breeding ground for fear. It is the incubator for ghosts and superstitions. The man who is ignorant of what is happening will often react irrationally and become himself a part of the problem. This is seen when panic affects a crowd of people. When we are uninformed about a danger or dangerous people, we tend either to ignore the danger and thus walk into harm’s way, or we exaggerate the danger and become paralyzed with fear. When fear takes over our lives, we tend to withdraw from life, thinking we are keeping ourselves safe. We may be safer, but we have traded the happiness of being an active part of society for it. Ignorance can sometime cause its victim to be suspicious and fearful of everyone around him. He does not know just who the enemy is.
Education, on the other hand, gives its recipient, not only knowledge but wisdom and power. Education is of two kinds: spiritual and secular. In both cases it is truly a weapon for self-defense and survival. God’s styles his Word as the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17) Someone once observed that ghosts disappeared with the invention of eye-glasses. Education eradicates superstition. With education we are able to determine what is true or false. Truth makes us free (John 8:32)! With education we know how to get the facts of a situation. It enables us to evaluate and assess a danger and take steps to avoid it. It allows us to seek out needed information before the problem becomes acute. It helps us find the right doctor for an illness, the correct inoculation for a communicable disease. It will show us the necessary protocols to avoid infection. So with the terrorists. With a reasonable education we can determine the level of the danger and make the necessary adjustments to our life, our travel, etc. so we can stay safe. Using his educated mind a man will chose the least dangerous place for his vacation. He will avoid the dangers sections of the large city, especially after dark. The knowledge of God’s Word shows us how to overcome the fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15).
The discussion could be extended but the above is sufficient to make my point. We are seeking to win people to Christ, many of whom are not highly motivated. We can use the fears that affect so many to motivate them to receive with meekness the implanted word of God which is able to save their souls (Jas. 1:21). We can appeal to their sense of personal safety and self-preservation as a good reason to become good readers of Scripture and listeners to the gospel message. . On a commercial airplane, each passenger is provided a sheet of instructions for safety and survival in case of emergency. The good reader can use that knowledge should the emergency arise. Most machinery and equipment comes with instructions for safe use. Used improperly they can cause serious injury or costly repairs. You have to be able to read the instructions. The knowledge provided in God’s Word will help us avoid many problem and to be victorious when they are battles that we must fight.
With education in Scripture a person acquires knowledge. Knowledge diminishes fear. It also creates confidence in the recipient that he or she can handle the problems and dangers that confront them in this age of fear and terror. Teach people well and watch them grow strong and self-confident in the grace and knowledge of Christ (II Pet. 3:18). It will be your reward to see them win the battles life and find a home with God in eternity.
Article submitted Friday, January 08, 2010 & read 835 times.
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