Have you ever been afraid to ask a question? Maybe you can recall a time back in grade school where you were too afraid to ask a question in class because you feared the embarrassment of not knowing. Or perhaps it was a time when you were working on some type of project or problem and needed to ask for help but feared the rejection of your peers or mentor. On the converse, have you ever been afraid to hear an answer? Knowing that with the answer comes conviction or certain consequences. How many times have you hesitated or refused to ask a certain question because you were too afraid to hear the answer and what it would mean for your life? Asking questions and seeking answers can be a terrifying ordeal. This presence of fear in our lives can be an overwhelming obstacle sometimes standing between us and the clarity or assistance we need. When it comes to spiritual matters, Satan uses this fear of rejection or embarrassment to keep us from the truth and help that we desperately need.
When God speaks to man in the Old Testament, He is constantly having to tell him, “Do not fear.” This is nowhere more evident than in Joshua 1 where God is assuring Joshua that He is with him; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9. God tells Isaiah a similar thought in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” From this we can see that God is set on eradicating fear in the heart of His followers. This is carried over into the New Testament when Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Perhaps the best example of the consequence of fear in our life is when Christ is walking on water in Matthew 14:23-32: “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Here in this story, we see fear being the reason Peter was unable to reach Christ. Much the same, Satan will use fear in our lives to keep us from reaching truth. When we don’t understand a biblical issue, Satan will keep us too afraid of the embarrassment to speak up. When we’re caught in a cycle of sin and don’t know how to break it, Satan will use fear of rejection to keep us chained down. When we’re too afraid to hear the answers to our question because of what it might mean in our life, Satan will use fear to keep us away from self-improvement. Sometimes being too afraid to ask is a comfortable place Satan wants to keep us. Not knowing where the Bible stands allows us to not make a clear stance. Not Asking for help allows us to keep falling into temptation time and time again. Today, there might be questions you have about your faith you’re too afraid to ask – why? Today, there might be assistance you desperately need in your life to beat a sin or difficult challenge you’re too afraid to reach out for help – why? Don’t let fear keep you from reaching the truth that is so close to you. Don’t let Satan pull your eyes away from the truth so that you sink even more in doubt or despair. The truth is always worth seeking, no matter how afraid we may be. Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”