FEAR AND SHAME, Comrades in Arms

Pastor Walter C. Scott

March, 2013

You might think, “Oh, no! Not another message about fear and shame!” I say, can we ever say or do enough to totally defeat these brothers in arms? These weapons of satan’s are extremely effective. All of us are under some level of attack at any sign of weakness in our faith, belief, and trust in Triune God.

Webster’s dictionary definition: Shame—A painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming or impropriety.

Romans 9:33

³³ As it is written:

“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble

    and a rock that makes them fall,

    and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.”

Webster’s dictionary definition: Fear— An unpleasant and often strong emotion caused by awareness or anticipation of danger.

1 John 4:18

¹⁸ There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Notice, fear and shame are both emotions initiated by the conscious mind. They bring about the psychological, physiological, and physical reactions we feel and experience. This is the enemy’s favorite area of attack. The battlefield of the mind.

Fear and shame are the products of weak faith, unbelief, and limited trust. They are the creator of all seven deadly sins and are the primary weapons in satan’s arsenal. What causes fear and shame? Doubt and uncertainty. We have all experienced these two emotions at one time or another, and may still experience them. We are all living in a supernatural battlefield, but in our natural world. A battle between Triune God, Christianity and satan. Now, satan knows that he has already lost. The Book of Revelation says so. But he wants to inflict as much damage as possible to God’s kingdom. He knows he will be locked up for a thousand years and then be released back into our world. And what is a thousand years in the supernatural realm?

Revelation 20:1-3

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. ³ He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

Here are the seven deadly sins. I will relate how I feel they are in response to fear and shame. You may have even more examples.

1. ANGER—Why do we get angry? Isn’t it usually because something happened or someone spoke or acted in a way that offended us or caused us to be resentful? We become angry, or to be honest, anxious and fearful that our life situation, relationship, etc. will not work out favorably. Ashamed of being afraid, weak, or not being qualified. Anger=fear and shame.

Ephesians 4:26& 27

²⁶ “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.

James 1:19&20 Listening and Doing

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

2. ENVY—Envy is one of the greatest creators of doubt in our ability to be productive, creative, self-confident, and ultimately free. Envy produces doubt and uncertainty which leads to depression. We define this as fear and shame over feelings of failure.

James 3:13-18 Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

(Reference only, Psalm 73:3-20)

3. GLUTTONY—What do they call the food that overeaters consume? “Comfort food”. I feel the word gluttony can pertain to anything we over indulge in, looking for comfort and reassurance. This, to me, means addiction. Why? Fear of and worry about rejection, or taking our rightful place in society, low self-confidence, and low self-esteem, leading to shame for our actions.

Luke 12:22-24 & 29-31 Do Not Worry

²² Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. ²⁴ Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! ²⁹ And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰ For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹ But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

4. SLOTH—Could possibly be defined as severe procrastination. Low or no ambition. Rarely on time or willing to do anything for themselves or family and friends. Define this as fear of failure or commitment. No purpose or vision for life, and an attitude of entitlement. Shame for this lifestyle.

Proverbs 26:15

¹⁵ A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

    he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.

Ephesians 5:12-14

¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,

    rise from the dead,

    and Christ will shine on you.”

5. PRIDE—These folks are always fearful of someone being or having more than themselves. They need to feel superior. If they don’t, they feel embarrassed and ashamed. I call this our immediate gratification mentality.

James 4:6

⁶ But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud

    but shows favor to the humble.”

Proverbs 16:18 & 11:2

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction,

    a haughty spirit before a fall. ² When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

    but with humility comes wisdom.

    6. LUST—Meaning anything we relentlessly pursue or chase after. Usually associated with sexual desire. Why do we lust? Fear of not getting or accomplishing something. Fear of not being able to establish any meaningful relationship. There are several fears involved here. There is shame eventually in the realization that we hurt others and ourselves and accomplished nothing beneficial.

1 Timothy 6:6&7

⁶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

1 John 2:15-17  On Not Loving the World

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

7. GREED—This one is easy. Fear of lack or not having enough. Fear of inferiority. Eventual shame for this negative behavior and the destruction left behind in our lives and the lives of others we encounter on life’s path.

James 4:1-3 Submit Yourselves to God

4 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

(Reference only: Luke 12:16-21)

The enemy’s attack is relentless. We, as Christian believers, can be going along living our lives, lost in the joy of relationship with Jesus Christ. Suddenly doubt, uncertainty, fear or shame about something attacks. Fear and shame always seem to originate from some self-diagnosis of our own ability, self-worth, or self-esteem. What does God think about us? Do we ask? This attack can appear as us displaying one or more of the seven deadly sins, or as us overcompensating in areas of giving of ourselves. Remember, we are justified by faith alone. Strong faith and belief will produce fruit for the harvest.

Matthew 9:37

³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

James 3:18

¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Galatians 5:22

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

If we, in a Christian environment, have this battle to contend with, imagine what it can be like in the secular world of unbelievers; or even with believers of wavering faith. This is what we, as strong Christians, are here for, brothers and sisters! That is our commission. To bring the Good News to a desperate world. Let’s do it with the love of our Father God, His son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Let the Bible be your guide, and the Holy Spirit your counselor. Trust in Triune God and the real truth will prevail. We are all God’s children.

Isaiah 61:1

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

    because the Lord has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

    to proclaim freedom for the captives

    and release from darkness for the prisoners

Mark 1:15

¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 16:15

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

Fear and shame, expressed through doubt and uncertainty, causes us stress, anxiety, and depression. If we are this way it shows in our physical countenance. How is this being the Good News? Fight the enemy. Stand up to satan. Don’t acknowledge the enemy’s presence. Re-focus, remind yourself of the truth of the Word and trust Triune God. Search the Bible and find how often God and his son Jesus mention “do not fear” or “do not be afraid, for I am with you always”.

Psalm 27:1

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—

    whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life—

    of whom shall I be afraid?

Isaiah 41:10

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Now ask yourself; how is my faith and belief being displayed to the world? Am I showing and sharing Triune God’s love: am I being the Good News? Am I being patient, kind, understanding and compassionate? We love Triune God and what He has done for us. Let’s share that love with our brothers and sisters. Let’s learn to love ourselves so we can love each other, just as the Triune God loves us. Strong belief, faith, and trust always wins the battle against fear and shame. We have been set free! Love conquers all!

Ephesians 4:1-8 Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. ⁷ But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,

    he took many captives

    and gave gifts to his people.”

There is always the question about what fear of God actually means, so this is the definition: A profound reverential awe of God.

1 Samuel 12:24

²⁴ But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.

Amen.

MORE BIBLICAL REFERENCES:

Psalm 19:9	Proverbs 1:7
Psalm 33:8	Proverbs 14:27
Psalm 34:9	Proverbs 15:33
Psalm 111:10	Proverbs 19:23
Psalm 128:1-4	Proverbs 29:25
Psalm 147:11	Isaiah 35:4
Lamentations 3:25, 26, 31, 32, 33, 55, 56, 57	Isaiah 54:14
Luke 12:4&5