GLORIOUS SABBATH DAY PEOPLE OF GOD
To Those Who Have Ears To Hear:
No, I did not make a mistake in the title. Recently, I've seen several items inscribed with the phrase "Faith Over Fear." I understand the concept. For indeed, as it is written, people of God must not fear the things of this world. However, even well-meaning intentions can sometimes be misinterpreted, to the detriment of "Babes in Christ". For those who may not have the spiritual maturity to discern properly, such a slogan can inadvertently lead them into the temptation of reckless abandonment of God's statutes, potentially resulting in harmful consequences for themselves and their city. "The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence." Proverbs 14:16 (NLT)
At times the scriptures can appear to be so contradictory that it feels like God is messing with us. But, given that God's thoughts and ways are vastly different from ours, we mustn't allow feelings to undermine righteous discernment. For example, the Word of God actually teaches "Fear Over Faith," which is the exact opposite of the popularized slogan. "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." James 2:19 (NLT) To "tremble in terror" is the state of being afraid. But, "Righteous Fear" reflects reverence that honors God. The difference between the devil's trembling and a believer's fear is legitimacy—genuine love for Christ. For it is in genuinely fearing God that, for love's sake, we instinctively obey Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15 (NLT)
Though man knoweth not the fullness of God's strategies, neither His process nor His purpose is new. Man's primary duty is simply to fear Him. "And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should FEAR Him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again." Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (NLT) Since all scripture is good for instruction and correcting in Righteousness, proper teaching and correction must begin with God's household. Therefore, the following scripture extends beyond the scope of our biological children. It first applies to God's own family. When we think about those who are new in the faith—"Babes in Christ"—those who teach, especially within the church, must be careful to adhere to God's manual. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Again, it's 2026 but, despite the pervasiveness of knowledge, those who miscounsel have instructed people, particularly the youth, to fearlessly walk in disobedience to the Word of God, dishonoring Him by attacking their neighbor, disrespecting an elder, and dishonoring a prophetess—literally waging war against the Holy Spirit.
“The FEAR of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of THE HOLY ONE is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Afterthought: When the woman in the crowd approached Jesus, she knew she wasn't supposed to touch. But, just as there's a difference between needs and desires, there's a difference between desperately seeking and arrogantly demanding.
Praise Break: I lost my left ear bud a couple weeks ago. But, as I sit here on this Sabbath, writing and listening to gospel music through my right ear bud, Mark 9:47 comes to mind. I'd rather enter into praise with one ear bud than to willfully give ear to foolish counsel with two.
To Those Who Have Ears To Hear:
No, I did not make a mistake in the title. Recently, I've seen several items inscribed with the phrase "Faith Over Fear." I understand the concept. For indeed, as it is written, people of God must not fear the things of this world. However, even well-meaning intentions can sometimes be misinterpreted, to the detriment of "Babes in Christ". For those who may not have the spiritual maturity to discern properly, such a slogan can inadvertently lead them into the temptation of reckless abandonment of God's statutes, potentially resulting in harmful consequences for themselves and their city. "The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence." Proverbs 14:16 (NLT)
At times the scriptures can appear to be so contradictory that it feels like God is messing with us. But, given that God's thoughts and ways are vastly different from ours, we mustn't allow feelings to undermine righteous discernment. For example, the Word of God actually teaches "Fear Over Faith," which is the exact opposite of the popularized slogan. "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." James 2:19 (NLT) To "tremble in terror" is the state of being afraid. But, "Righteous Fear" reflects reverence that honors God. The difference between the devil's trembling and a believer's fear is legitimacy—genuine love for Christ. For it is in genuinely fearing God that, for love's sake, we instinctively obey Him. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15 (NLT)
Though man knoweth not the fullness of God's strategies, neither His process nor His purpose is new. Man's primary duty is simply to fear Him. "And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should FEAR Him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again." Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 (NLT) Since all scripture is good for instruction and correcting in Righteousness, proper teaching and correction must begin with God's household. Therefore, the following scripture extends beyond the scope of our biological children. It first applies to God's own family. When we think about those who are new in the faith—"Babes in Christ"—those who teach, especially within the church, must be careful to adhere to God's manual. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Again, it's 2026 but, despite the pervasiveness of knowledge, those who miscounsel have instructed people, particularly the youth, to fearlessly walk in disobedience to the Word of God, dishonoring Him by attacking their neighbor, disrespecting an elder, and dishonoring a prophetess—literally waging war against the Holy Spirit.
“The FEAR of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of THE HOLY ONE is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
Afterthought: When the woman in the crowd approached Jesus, she knew she wasn't supposed to touch. But, just as there's a difference between needs and desires, there's a difference between desperately seeking and arrogantly demanding.
Praise Break: I lost my left ear bud a couple weeks ago. But, as I sit here on this Sabbath, writing and listening to gospel music through my right ear bud, Mark 9:47 comes to mind. I'd rather enter into praise with one ear bud than to willfully give ear to foolish counsel with two.
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning"
