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Bible Insights

Don’t Be Afraid

Supernatural Encounters May Be Scary

The Book of Mark wraps up with three women going to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body. They are Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome.

They approach the tomb preoccupied, wondering how they will roll the stone away to gain access. As it turns out, this won’t be a problem.

When they arrive at the tomb the stone has already been rolled away. They see a young man sitting there. He’s wearing a white robe.

He’s like an angel, but there’s no indication if they realize this or not. But his presence does surprise them.

The first thing he says is, “Don’t be afraid!” (Mark 16:6).

Encountering Angels

Throughout the Bible, whenever anyone has a supernatural encounter with angels, one of the first things these heavenly beings say is usually, “Don’t be afraid!”

I get this.

Should someone not from this world appear before us, our first reaction would certainly be fright. Without assurance, our first response would likely be flight.

It would be hard for us to hear their heavenly message if we were running away from them.

I’d like to think my reaction would be different. I’d like to think I wouldn’t be afraid of an angel that God sent to me. I’d like to think I would confidently hear everything they would say, though in awe over their presence.

But I know me. I know better. Though I might be brave in my spirit, in my mind I would fear, just like everyone else.

Encountering God

If a typical reaction to an angelic encounter is fear, what will our reaction be when we see God for the first time?

I’d like to think I’d feel peace. I’d like to think I would approach him with confidence and embrace him. I’d like to think I would remain calm.

But I know better. I know me. I’m sure I would tremble in his presence. Fear and excitement would surge through me in anticipation and apprehension, quaking in fear over the unknown.

Don’t Be Afraid

I suspect the first words God will say to me will be, “Don’t be afraid. Do not fear.”

And then everything will be okay, because I will be home, basking in the glory of his presence.

[Read through the Bible this year. Today’s reading is Mark 14-16, and today’s post is on Mark 16:5-6.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Bible Insights

Do We Allow the World to Control Our Thoughts?

The Holy Spirit Gives Us a Sound Mind to Counter Fear

Through the Holy Spirit we have a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Sound mind means self-discipline, self-control, sound judgment, and wise discretion.

We can claim all these as the Holy Spirit’s provision to us. In doing so we can direct our thoughts and not live a life controlled by worldly fear that produces irrational behavior.

Instead the Holy Spirit equips us to make sound judgments and not panic in the midst of pandemonium. Here are some ideas to guide us in this.

Focus Our Thinking

Paul encourages the church in Philippi to focus their thoughts (Philippians 4:8). We should do this too. But what should we think about? Fortunately, Paul gives a list:

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, and whatever is excellent or praiseworthy.

We are to think of these things and dismiss the opposite.

Focus on Spiritual Things

In writing to the church in Colossi, Paul tells them to place their concentration on spiritual thoughts instead of worldly opinions (Colossians 3:2).

The world—with all its worries and disruptions—seeks to distract us from God.

We counter these distractions by tuning out earthly things and tuning in on godly ideals.

Focus on God’s Power

John also has some recommendations for us. He reminds us that we are children of God. As his children, our heritage comes through him. He has overcome evil, and as his children we can overcome evil too.

Contrary to what many believe, God and Satan are not equal but opposing forces. God is the creator, while Satan is part of creation. God is greater than the devil. And God is in us.

Through him we can overcome the opposition (1 John 4:4).

Let us not forget that we are on the winning side.

Focus on Making Our Thoughts Obedient to God

A final consideration comes from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. Here Paul writes that we are to fight against any notions that are contrary to God.

We do this by taking every thought captive and forcing it to submit to Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Final Thoughts

Though the world tries to pull us down, we are on the winning side, and the Bible shows how we can reorient our thoughts from the wrong thinking of the world to the right thinking of God.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Philippians 1-4, and today’s post is on Philippians 4:8.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

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Bible Insights

Do We Live in a Spirit of Fear or Spirit of Freedom?

God Provides the Antidote When We Face Fear

We live in a time where there is much to fear. Whether by mandate or out of personal concern, we cower in our homes afraid of what is happening in the world around us.

We sequester ourselves and exist with little community to encourage us. Aside from those we live with, we are alone.

Though we anticipate this time of isolation is but for a season, we know not how long this season will last. It could continue for weeks, or it could persist for months. Or it could morph into our new normal.

In addition to concerns about health, many also carry concerns about finances. Too many have ceased working and wonder how they will pay their bills or have enough food to eat. It seems there is indeed much to worry about.

But worry is the world’s perspective. As followers of Jesus we must look to him for our future and not let the influence of the world dictate our outlook.

A Spirit of Fear

In the Bible, Paul writes to his protégé Timothy that the spirit of fear does not come from God (2 Timothy 1:7). If fear doesn’t originate with God, then it must come from someplace else: our adversary, the devil.

Satan wants to foment fear within us. He desires to hold us captive, keeping us from living the life of freedom God would have us to live (consider Proverbs 12:25).

Though fear is a normal response to the unknown and to pressures outside of our control, as followers of Jesus we shouldn’t give in to that fear. Holding onto a spirit of fear has no place in our lives.

We should cast our fears (our cares) on Jesus because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Power

Through God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, we do not need to quake in fear. Instead we have power, supernatural power. We don’t wield this on our own but through Jesus (Luke 24:49).

If we follow Jesus, he provides us with all the power we need to overcome any fear that may beset us.

Love

In addition to Holy Spirit power, we carry with us the love of God. Through God’s love we can respond to adversity, helping those we can and loving them in the name of Jesus (Matthew 10:40-42).

Sound Mind

Through the Holy Spirit, we also have a sound mind. Other translations render this phrase as discipline, self-discipline, self-control, sound judgment, or wise discretion.

Let’s claim all these understandings as the Holy Spirit’s provision to us so that we may live a life not controlled by fear, which dictates irrational behavior.

Instead he equips us to make sound judgments and not panic in the midst of the world’s anxiety. (Check out 2 Corinthians 10:5, Colossians 3:2, 1 John 4:4, and Philippians 4:8).

A Parting Question about a Spirit of Fear

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he asks them a rhetorical question: “if God is on our side, who can oppose us?” (Romans 8:31). We will do well to ask ourselves the same question.

[Discover more about the Bible at ABibleADay.com: Bible FAQs, Bible Dictionary, Books of the Bible Overview, and Bible Reading Plans.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

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Christian Living

Does God Ever Change?

The God of the Old Testament Seems Different Than in the New

The book of Hebrews says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And since Jesus is God (John 1:1), doesn’t that mean the God never changes? That’s what I’ve been taught. That’s what this verse in Hebrews seems to say.

Yet as I read my Bible the God in the Old Testament comes across as a God of judgement while the God in the New Testament is all about grace. We fear Old Testament God and love New Testament God.

Perhaps fear and love are opposite sides of the same coin. Yes, we do see God’s love in the midst of Old Testament fear and have reason to fear God among his New Testament love, yet neither is the prevailing thought.

But I see even more differences than just Old Testament versus New Testament archetypes of God.

In the Garden of Eden God walks with Adam and Eve; they enjoy community with each other. Then Adam and Eve sin: banishment, judgement, separation; God is distant.

The God of Abraham and Job seems hard to understand, yet emerges as patient despite his clear sovereignty.

To Moses God shows relationship, power, and a grand plan.

In the era of Judges God seems mostly uninvolved as his people flounder. After they demand a king, much to God’s dismay, he actually seems more present, more involved in the United Kingdom under the rules of Saul, David, and Solomon.

Next is the time of the prophets: warnings, short-term repentance, and eventual judgement; God offers much patience before exacting his punishment.

And if we read the Apocrypha we see God as involved but ethereal—compelling, yet a bit aloof.

In the New Testament we see God as love through Jesus in the Gospels. Then we see God as power through the Holy Spirit in Acts through Revelations.

Depending on which section of the Bible I’m reading, God seems different, like he’s evolving over time.

Of course I like the New Testament manifestations better and see Holy Spirit power as the most relevant understanding of God for our world and the church today.

Yet the Bible says God doesn’t change; he is the same. I think that’s right: God doesn’t change, but how he relates to us does.

How do you perceive God? What characteristic of God do you like best?

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”

​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.