Do you ever hear something that you know is wrong but you cannot quite put your finger on it? Have you ever had a conversation with someone where you knew you disagreed but you could not put your finger on what exactly the difference was? I think I may have figured out what rubs me the wrong way so often in Christian circles. We have a way of sounding biblical, looking Christian, speaking of Jesus while somehow subverting the gospel.
Take for instance notes I found from a conference on tackling fear, worry, and anxiety. It starts with the basics. It is theologically sound on who God is. It continues with a sound view of the importance of Scripture. If we are going to tackle fear, worry, and anxiety we need to know who God is. So, get in the Word. The entire speech (sermon) centers around this premise—know God. Then it closes by saying if we know Christ, if we stay in His Word, then we will know the truth. If we know the truth then we will be free from worry, anxiety, stress, etc.
So, what’s the problem?
All of the things that were stated are true. At least they are true in a sense. The problem with such teaching/preaching is that it starts in the wrong spot. It is a misdiagnosis and a foundational misunderstanding of who Jesus is and what exactly He has already accomplished and intends to fully accomplish in redemption.
The problem with such teaching is that it does not go far enough. 
It applies cold medicine to cure cancer. Better yet, it puts cancer into remission but you still die from it years later. The problem is that many people that would disagree with Joel Osteen actually live based on the same smiley premise: your best life is now.
God does indeed intend to conquer your fear, worry, and anxiety. But He does not conquer your fear, worry, and anxiety by leaving you an owner’s manual, providing you the resources, setting an example, and then saying “get it done”. He conquers your fear, worry, and anxiety by ACTUALLY conquering your fear, worry, and anxiety.
There are principally two ways to encourage others in casting out fear, worry, and anxiety (or any other vice) and replacing it with assurance, trust, and rest. I adapt this from Tim Keller. The first one says I obey, therefore I conquer fear, worry, and anxiety. (Or you can even make it sound gospel centered—“I obey the principles God graciously set forth, therefore God conquers fear, worry, and anxiety”). The second one says Christ has conquered fear, worry, and anxiety, therefore I live in rest (therefore, I obey).
Some day you will no longer fear. Your best life is not now—no matter how many “biblical principles” you apply. You will struggle with fear, anxiety, and worry this side of our complete redemption. But that does not mean that you sit passively by and just wait until Jesus comes down on a cloud, blows a trumpet, and calls you home. You respond to His work and you live in it.
Whether you follow these principles or not really has nothing to do with whether you will ultimately be without fear, worry, and anxiety. Those are conquered—eventually because of the work of Christ you will not have them. Following these “biblical principles” are ways that you live in what Christ has already purchased. It is a subtle difference but it is a difference between defeated, dead, and devilish faith and victorious, lively, and biblical faith.
So, how do you preach/teach to conquer fear and worry? You start with the work of Christ. And every “biblical principle” that you give explodes out of this one glorious truth.
How does legalism work in this principle?
Good question. I wasn’t very clear there and legalism is a buzzword That gets thrown around a bunch. In this case it’s b/c at its core such advice is to conquer fear, worry, anxiety by applying biblical principles (the law) instead of the finished work of Christ.
Where does applying Biblical principles come in if you define such as legalism?
I think your post may suffer from the same weakness it decries. It is too reductionistic and simplistic in my opinion
How do we “put on Christ” if not by applying the principles in the Word?
“How do we “put on Christ” if not by applying the principles in the Word?”
The answer is ‘humility’
I’m not against applying biblical principles, but against applying biblical principles not grounded in the gospel.
How can any verse in the Bible (biblical principles) not be grounded in the gospel if they are interpreted properly? Are you saying that there are “biblical principles for life” that are at odds with the gospel?
I don’t see how that could be. Are you saying only the N.T. applies to the gospel and the O.T. is grounded in something else? I’m sure I must be misunderstanding you.
My personal belief is that the entire Bible is related to the “gospel.” It may be we are simply defining words differently — at least that is what I would hope.
Also, I’m not so sure I would call what Joel Olsteen does, the truth, or applying biblical principles. I don’t view “truth with a little mixture of error” as truth.
I think we probably agree but I am missing the nuance of what you are saying. It is, after all, Monday.
I think the key is your phrase “interpreted properly”. What I’m attempting to say is that we can wrongly apply biblical principles by divorcing them from the gospel.
Our personal beliefs are the same as it relates to all of Scripture relating to the gospel. And on Joel Osteen.
Mike. That makes sense. Christ, crucified, is the key to applying any biblical principle old or New Testament
Nice job, Mike.
Looking to the finished work of Christ for what we ‘ought be’ is always the way to go.
We just don’t have the strength in ourselves to do these things. I don’t know of a single Christian who does not worry about something from time to time. We have a lot to think about, but nothing to worry about. That sort of Christian encouragement is terrific. But realizing that we do have a Savior who is our righteousness goes along way to combat legalism.
‘Christ is Risen’ . . .
“He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.” – Psalms 40:3 NASB
“Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.” – Psalm 66:16 NASB
“The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, That one may avoid the snares of death.” – Proverbs 14:27 NASB
“Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness” – Psalm 33:18 NASB
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7 NASB
Are these principles too legalistic to apply today?
Rob
Not at all.
So fear in this instance “fear of the Lord” is a GOOD thing. How should we fear him? “embrace instruction” (Proverbs 1:7) which covers both knowing God and doing what He says to do (so multiple and many instructions in both the Old and New Testaments that to cite merely one would be an injustice).
Yes indeed we start at the work of Christ = without the Cross and the Resurrection we would be irrecoverably without hope. “For by Grace you have been Saved through Faith…” means something, for my ability to make my own way through deeds are like “filthy rags” to a Holy God. “For we are God’s workmanship, to do good works…” is the second half of the equation, not the first – but it is there nevertheless. What keeps us in line? “The knowledge of His return…” – in other words, “fear” God has given us the precepts of what He considers good and righteous living all written down for our benefit. We cannot live the life that Christ lived at all in the here and now, and certainly left to our own devices we would never do so on our own – we need the help of the indwelling Spirit of Promise to live His life through us. If we need a reminder from time to time (when our flesh wins and we grieve the Spirit) then those things found in the Word remind us how the Spirit would live the life of His Son in us if we would merely re-yield ourselves back to Him. We have a Body of Christ of whom we are a part to help hold us accountable; to encourage, exhort, commend (as we do the same for them) in living the Christ like-life (call it a mutual aid society). That is not legalism – that is our faith and walk.
There are those who claim that only doing good deeds are a benefit to God. They are not Christians. There are those who claim that the precepts found in the Old Testament are now done away. Jesus warned that those who discounted “the least of these commandments” were worthy of hell fire. There are those who go about telling us our faults in an unloving way without looking at themselves first. They need not judge, but need to be in prayer and then with others attempt to lovingly restore those who have fallen knowing all the more that they too could fall.
I’m sorry Mike. Whenever I see the words “do away with fear” I just would like to clarify what it is we should NOT be afraid of. As Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28 NASB
Rob
‘fear’ and ‘awe’ are different things
“fear” is the word that Scripture uses. Would you like it in Hebrew or Greek to be concise?
Rob
fear and awe are different things
You did not answer my question. I will use one example: Matthew 10:28 – does the verse make sense if you insert “awe” v “fear.” You are saying the translators made an error over the course of all Christendom. I say you are wrong. Merely repeating yourself does not change the issue. The Scripture in all of these instances says “fear.” Finis. You are arguing with God.
Rob
Rob,
Am I missing something here?
I assume that you are viewing yourself as quite bold in your encounter with Christiane. But it doesn’t seem like gentleness and respect to me. Saying “would you like it in Hebrew or Greek” is disrespectful. And then to wratchet up the argument in such a way as to say, “you are arguing with God”. Come on man, can’t you just have a discussion about the difference between “fear” and “awe” and gently correct without having to treat this women as if she is a moron that is arguing with the Lord.
Hi ROB AYERS,
not sure what you want from me, but here are several insights into why I said there was a REAL difference between human fear, and the Spirit’s gift of ‘holy fear’ that we call ‘awe’:
” Being afraid is a manifestation of our fundamental instinct for preservation. It is a reaction to a threat to our life, the response to a real or perceived danger, whether this be the greatest danger of all, death, or particular dangers that threaten our tranquility, our physical safety, or our affective world.
With respect to whether the dangers are real or imagined, we say that someone is “justifiably” or “unjustifiably” or “pathologically” afraid. Like sicknesses, this worry can be acute or chronic. If it is acute, it has to do with states determined by situations of extraordinary danger. If I am about to be hit by a car or I begin to feel the earth quake under my feet, this is being acutely afraid. These “scares” arise suddenly and without warning and cease when the danger has passed, leaving, if anything, just a bad memory. Being chronically afraid is to be constantly in a state of preoccupation, this state grows up with us from birth or childhood and becomes part of our being, and we end up developing an attachment to it. We call such a state a complex or phobia: claustrophobia, agoraphobia, and so on.
The Gospel helps to free us from all of these worries and reveals their relative, non-absolute, nature. There is something of ours that nothing and no one in the world can truly take away from us or damage: For believers it is the immortal soul; for everyone it is the testimony of their own conscience.
The fear of God is quite different from being afraid. The fear of God must be learned: “Come, my children, listen to me,” a Psalm says, “I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (33:12); being afraid, on the other hand, does not need to be learned at school; it overtakes us suddenly in the face of danger; the things themselves bring about our being afraid.
But the meaning itself of fearing God is different from being afraid. It is a component of faith: It is born from knowledge of who God is. It is the same sentiment that we feel before some great spectacle of nature. It is feeling small before something that is immense” (R. Cantalamessa)
I am viewing myself in nothing but what I am – a humble sinner who attempts to glorify God and fears Him.
Perhaps you are unaware of my previous discussions with Christiane, mainly when I was a contributor on IMPACT. Some have been helpful, some have been instructive, and others have been interesting. My purpose was not to beat her up, but to be instructive. As a teacher, when a student says the same thing after I have corrected with “true” statements, then they are either not listening or have nothing to offer besides their “point of view.”
By the way – she is wrong – something you have called her on, but I did. In many things she prefers her tradition and her preconception to the very Words of God. We all do to a certain extent – but it is our duty as believers to correct those with the truth of God’s Word = “fear” = FEAR. That is not being mean or cruel – that is just merely sharing the truth and not being too nuanced about it. No one ever said that this faith of ours would make friends or influence people. And while I attempt with all my being not to dish it out too harsh, sometimes just pouring sounds too harsh.
Forgive me for offending your sensibilities. Your post.
Rob
Rob,
You don’t owe me an apology. And I’m not offended. I understand that I am missing the backstory and everything from SBCImpact. That’s part of my point in some ways. Others who read this thread will not see the backstory. They see a woman making a statement and then you laying into her with snarky comments. I’m telling you brother that I am encouraged by your stance for truth and your passion for proclaiming the gospel. But I believe your gentleness and respect is not coming across.
“But I believe your gentleness and respect is not coming across.”
Those are hard to see through the medium of the written word. I assure you I am nothing but gentle and respectful.
Rob
Christiane,
Thank you for replying. While your comment has some merit, it does not take away from the totality of the meaning of the word (which your commentary extrapolated, yet IMHO failed in its total and complete application). The words of Isaiah when he saw him who sat on the throne, ““Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”” – Isaiah 6:5 NIV which sounds nice on the printed page in Hebrew would have been screamed out in the sense of total and complete terror – a primal scream of sheer terror. The culture of Isaiah you see told him that anybody who saw God face to face would be immediately destroyed. Many times in these holy type encounters, God’s messenger would say, “Fear not.” This was not to put down the “awe” of the spectator – this was to alleviate the terror one has when confronted face to face with a Holy God. It was God’s angel who flew to Isaiah at the height of his terror and fright who gave him (a word you will appreciate) absolution (Isaiah 6:6). This story tells us what we should be mortally afraid of = our sin in the face of a Holy God. This is the same type of fear that was exhibited on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17; Luke 9) when the disciples James, John, and Peter went with the Lord on the Mount and was transfigured before them. Peter was so scared out of his wits he said some really silly things, till the voice of God came through the cloud (these Hebrew boys would have realized that this was the “Shekinah” glory they had heard about in Hebrew school) which forced them to the ground in mortal fear. It was the same fear which when they came for the Lord in the Garden, He said “I am he” and they all uncontrollably fell on the ground (see John 18:6).
A good illustration is where I went today. I observed an arraignment hearing at the courthouse. The judge read the charges to the accused (most were misdemeanors) and then heard their pleas. A few of the defendants were shacking noticeably, and stammered and stuttered their sentences in answering the court. These folks were not in “awe” of the judge – they were afraid of him at what he might do to them. This is the same type of fear exemplified by Jesus in Matthew 10:28 and other scriptures in the Psalms and the Proverbs.
This is the same sort of fear that leads men and women to the cross and absolution. Christ took our penalty on the tree, and rose again to seal the deal. The believer needs no longer to fear if they know the Lord. So in a small sense you are right. However, I stand by my statement. “Fear” means FEAR. There is a small sense of AWE – but in most places and most times it is unmitigated primordial terror – the terror that awaits all who reject the good news of Jesus Christ who came so that we would not fear the terror to come.
Rob
Mike,
You said,
“So, how do you preach/teach to conquer fear and worry? You start with the work of Christ. And every “biblical principle” that you give explodes out of this one glorious truth.”
But that tells us very little how to conquer fear and worry. Give us an example of a Biblical principle that deals with conquering fear and worry that explodes out of that glorious truth.
thanx
That’s because the article isn’t about how to conquer fear and worry. It’s about how we can apply biblical principles in such a way that is divorced from the gospel. Your question would be a great article but it’s not my intention to answer that question in this post. I may give it a shot later in the week though.
Mike Leake,
I always love it when folks talk about fear, worry, and anxiety. I’m no expert on this subject, but I do know alot about it.
Every preacher I’ve heard speak on this subject have no idea of what they are talking about. All I ever hear is trust God, he will see you through.
Because of this advice people are suffering and getting worse.
Mild forms of fear, worry, and anxiety can be overcome with the word.
Sometimes you can over come mild forms of these conditions without the word. Sometimes just a change in ones life such as taking a trip, or seeing family” can solve these problems.
Severe cases of anxiety is a medical condition which requires medication.
Fear and worry goes along with anxiety. Depression is just waiting to get into the mix. If anyone is reading this who has anxiety attacks, I’m talking shortness of breath (rapid breathing) fear that you might not survive, and worry of what is wrong with you. Forget the preacher and teacher and get yourself to a doctor. God gave you enough sense to got medical help, I hope.
Paul was sick at times and almost died. Luke was a medical doctor and spent time with Paul. I’m not saying don’t pray or trust God I am saying exercise some common sense and see your doctor if need be, if you don’t
need to see your doctor, friend you just have a mild case of these things mentioned above.
I visited a church that had a young pastor, he told his members that they are probably taking too much medication and they needed to throw most of it away and trust God. As I went out the door the preacher shook my hand. I asked him how does he know what medication these folks take.
I also pointed out to him, some may have high blood pressure or some other disease that requires medication. I know my blood pressure got a little high listening to his sermon.
Jess,
I’m not sure I would have taken the same road to your conclusion, but I have to say I agree with you, especially, “exercise a little common sense.”
It doesn’t have to be Jesus “or” something else. It can be Jesus “and” something else.
Anxiety, fear, etc. are not simple problems.
By the way, sometimes I wonder if you do not suffer from a “mild case of compassion” under that hillbilly hard shell.
Frank L,
Please don’t spread that around.
OK, read it twice, still don’t get it.
“The first one says I obey, therefore I conquer fear, worry, and anxiety. (Or …—“I obey the principles God graciously set forth, therefore God conquers fear, worry, and anxiety”). The second one says Christ has conquered fear, worry, and anxiety, therefore I live in rest (therefore, I obey).”
It seems like the scripture teaches I am to bring every thought into captivity, and put off sinful behavior and put on right behavior – including thinking right. I should rest in Christ’s sufficiency! I should also obey!
Hmmm
The idea of living ‘fearfully’ is not promoted by my tradition, no. I think the ‘awe’ of God includes an awareness of great Power, but in my faith, we see God as being ‘on the side of those who need Him’.
People who follow Christ are in holy awe of Him, yes.
Their reverence before Him acknowledges the great truth in the Holy Gospels, this:
that He speaks and acts in the very Person of God.
Like the men in this verse:
” . . . Jesus went before them: and they were amazed;
and as they followed, they were afraid.” (from Mark 10:32)
and then later came Pentecost . . . the human fear of the cowering Disciples was changed into holy fire and they were able to ‘go forth’, and they did, as the Church still ‘goes forth’ into a world where people need Christ
Holy fear is not human fear . . . if we are afraid, it is because we fear offending Him, Whom we love above all others . . . like a child who seeks not to cause a loved parent grief . . .
the difference is there, ROB AYERS, and it is an important difference
(Romans 8:15)
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship.
And by Him we cry,
“Abba, Father.”
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