FEARS' COMPELLINGS

In completion of the readings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, it has been so interesting to see how the spirit of fear drove actions against the Lord Jesus.  The religious feared Jesus for his teachings which they considered blasphemy.  They were so fearful that they were willing to plan to kill Jesus since His popularity arose with the raising of Lazarus.  They would have taken Him captive then, but they were fearful of the great crowds following Jesus. Luke records that Pilate and Herod, though they feared Jesus for their own political sakes and what the Roman government would do to their little "kingdoms" had been enemies. Fear drove them to unite as co-hearts since they must remove Jesus, THE THREAT, from the center stage of their political world.

Fear was the compelling motivation for Peter's denial of Jesus and most of the other disciples moving into hiding.  Fear drove Judas to betray Christ because he could see his dreams of a new king and being a part of the "leadership team" going down the political drain.  Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who came to claim the body of our Lord along with Joseph of Arimathea, was a secret follower of Jesus because of the fear of the religious Pharisees.  

Consider with me, how has negative fear compelled the activities of your life?  What actions have you been willing to take driven by fear?  How have the fears of being over-looked, disregarded, and ignored motivated you?  In my own life, fear and pride have been a "tag team" and have in the past been strongholds because I believed the lies of inferior, less than, not good enough, and insecurity.  It has been a battle, but a relief to pull down the strongholds which have been raised up against the Truth of Scripture...2 Corinthians 10:3-5.  I must heed the warnings of 1 Peter 5 and Ephesians 6 because the evil one is always there to applaud when I am ensnared.  Pride and fear are most subtle and I must stay alert.  How about you?  Forever learning.  In process.  #IHAVETHREESONS