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Do You Have Theophobia or Anthrophobia?

by Alan Allegra  
12/25/2020 / Devotionals

“We fear man so much because we fear God so little” (Unknown).

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” (Luke 12:4, 5).

“Theophobia” is the fear of God; “anthrophobia” is the fear of mankind (I just made that one up, but both are real fears.). In today’s passages, Jesus tells us not to fear man, but to fear God. You may recognize the morpheme “phobia” as a word for intense fear, such as, “claustrophobia,” the fear of Santa. The term in Greek indicates “something that causes flight.” It is genuine fear or scardiness.

The context in Matthew is Jesus warning his disciples about the reception they may encounter when they confront people with the gospel. In Luke, Jesus had just finished excoriating the scribes and Pharisees, his constant opponents. Consequently, they sought to exterminate Christ. If they treat the Lord and Master that way, what could his disciples expect? Who wouldn’t be afraid?

In many ways, we fear what people will think about us. That motivates how we dress, how we talk, how we act — just about everything. I have to admit, when I walked into the market with a fake nose and glasses over my corona mask, I was afraid of what people might think, but my desire to bring a smile was stronger than my fear of ridicule. Perhaps knowing in the back of our mind that people may (Shudder!) laugh at us or reject us, we are afraid to share the gospel, especially with people we know or have to see on a consistent basis and can’t run from. Jesus says, “Stop it!”

As the psalmist says, “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). The worst man can do is send us to heaven; in other words, just kill the body. At worst, physical death is temporary. In contrast, God has the power to destroy the body and reach beyond that to commit the soul to hell, something man cannot do. “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). Does it sound awkward that Christians should fear God?

I was trained in electronics repair, and I’ve worked in factories and repair shops. It may sound odd, but I am afraid of electricity. Similarly, sailors fear the ocean, skydivers fear gravity, and firefighters fear fire. But it makes sense to have a healthy fear of such things because carelessness can have permanent consequences. The proper fear breeds caution.

Carelessness with God has permanent consequences: For the unbeliever, hell; for the believer, loss of reward (1 Corinthians 3:15) and severe discipline (1 Corinthians 11). Jesus’ point is that the thoughts of man will be revealed — the hypocrite’s whisperings will be trumpeted, but the honest disciple can speak boldly with nothing to fear. He goes on to encourage them with the knowledge that God’s care and love are intimate and comprehensive.

The consequences of denying Christ and the rewards for proclaiming him are motivation for overcoming the fear of man. Our seminary displayed this poster: “Their need is greater than our fear.” Keep that in mind.

Alan is editor of Lifestyles Over 50 (Thrive Media) and contributor to the Allentown, PA, Morning Call. He is also an adult Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader. Passionate about reviving theology and church methodology, and being a senior citizen!

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