Fear.
Nothing is as debilitating as fear.
Fear holds us back from achieving all we are capable of doing. Fear stops us from trying new ideas. Fear keeps us from going where God calls us to go.
Paul doesn’t specifically mention fear in 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, but his topic (the 2nd coming of Jesus) immediately brings fear to my mind.
Left Behind
As a kid growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, the end-times was a hot topic. When is Jesus coming back? Will he come back before, during or after tribulation? Will I be forced to take the mark of the beast? Will I be left behind? Will I be tortured? All of these questions and the theology surrounding them were made into books, television programs and movies (Thief in the Night anyone?).
It all served to freak me out. Rather than the return of Jesus being a joyful and exciting idea (as it should be), it was a concept full of fear and concern. I just wanted to be dead before the whole thing went down. Better yet, it just wouldn’t happen in my lifetime.
Fear flees the Light
Paul indirectly addresses this fear in 1 Thessalonians 5. How? He encourages us to be in the light. Paul uses the terms ‘dark’,’ night’, ‘sleep’, ‘light’, ‘day’ and ‘clearheaded’ 12 times in the first 8 verses. I think he’s pretty serious, because when we are in the light, we are free from fear.
So, how do we walk in the light? According to Paul, there are 2 things we can do to be in the light.
But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. -1 Thessalonians 5:8
1. Put on the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:10-17 shares specifics about what the armor of God is, but here Paul tells us to put on FAITH and LOVE. 1 John 4:18 tells us “perfect love casts out fear,” and faith is the exact opposite of fear.
Faith operates in the midst of fear.
2. Put on the helmet of salvation.
Paul doesn’t talk about the breastplate or belt or boots or sword like he does in Ephesians. Here he only mentions the helmet of salvation. Even more specific he tells us to put on the helmet of the “confidence” (or hope) of salvation.
The helmet protects the head…the mind, and the mind is where fear lives. When we are wearing the helmet of salvation, we are confident in our savior, so we have no reason to fear.
Fight back!
Are you struggling with fear today? Are you battling concern, worry or doubt?
Put on the armor of God! Be clothed in love and faith and the hope of your salvation! When we put these things on, we have no choice but to see fear flee in the face of the light of God.
Leave a Reply