The FUD Factor
Fear. Uncertainty. Doubt. These are often seeds sown by salesmen who try to denigrate their competitors’ products rather than focusing on their own product’s advantages. Customers buy because of the FAB (features, advantages, and benefits) of a product, not the negatives of the competition. There is another who sows these same seeds, and, in effect, is trying to sell his product. The devil is the quintessential salesman. His product? The life of least resistance, the easy way with NO restrictions. How’s that going for him? If he were paid for spreading fear, he’d be a gazillionaire. Ask yourself, “Do I see fear, uncertainty and doubt all around me today?” If we’re honest, we have to say that it’s everywhere, it has permeated society.
On the list of top 100 fears (fearof.net)
at #12 is thanatophobia—the fear of death and dying, at #27 xenophobia—the fear of the unknown (although current common usage has minimalized the definition to fear of strangers), at #31 theophobia—the fear of God, and at #85 chronophobia—the fear of the future. I find two curiosities in this list of fears. First, that death, the unknown, and the future are not closer together because of the obvious connection; and second, there is the fear of God but no mention of fear of the devil or demons. Another great sales job by the devil. Someone has said the devil’s greatest success has been to convince people he doesn’t exist.
That’s why we should base our lives solely on the inspired Word of God, which never lies, stretches the truth, deceives us, or misleads us but clearly describes our enemy and his ploys. He is a liar and the father of lies (Jn. 8:44). His goal is to steal, kill and destroy (Jn. 10:10) and enslave us to shiny objects and worldly pursuits. But, as always, Hebrews 2:14, 15 has God’s solution, “…through death He [Jesus Christ] might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”
If Christ’s death and resurrection
rendered the devil powerless, why are so many still slaves of fear? I find it interesting that there even is a list of the top 100 fears, implying there may be many more that didn’t make it. God has implanted in every one of us a kind of fear for our protection. We’ve all heard of the fight or flight response when confronted with danger. We assess, we weigh the options and chance of success with each, then we decide. Phobias, on the other hand, are “exaggerated usually inexplicable and irrational fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation” (Webster’s). Over 100 times, God tells us not to be afraid, and he offers “the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7). Satan offers “weeds” (Matt. 13: 27, 28, 39).
When we fear,
we are not trusting God’s Word, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…(I Jn. 4:18)” God’s Word is the answer to fear of death, the unknown, and the future. We who know Jesus, know the future: WE WIN. Jesus told us to “…be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (Jn. 16:33).” We are not to fear the world, current political systems, or where it’s all heading. Evil is having its day now, but it’s all within God’s plan to bring sinners to Himself. Are we about our Father’s business of making disciples? While we still have breath, that should be our main focus in ever-expanding concentric circles. First, our family. Then friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Then the world.
Rather than subscribe to the rampant and wide-spread fear prevalent in our country, we need to pray for our leaders in government. Remember, they are not the enemy. The enemy has blinded their eyes from seeing and their hearts from desiring the truth. But prayer can change hearts and many times in Scripture, God uses just one man, not a committee.
If you’re still a little shaky on your future,
hear what Paul says to his readers, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain…having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better (Phil. 1:21,23).” That sounds like death is not a jail sentence but Disneyland on steroids…only infinitely better. The only reason to fear death is if you don’t know where you’re going after you die. Many of the blogs on this site define the afterlife thoroughly, so I won’t repeat it here. But if you’d like to know more, either surf around the site or go directly to Steps to Salvation. The answer to ALL your fears is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Thanks for stopping in.