Hidden PotentialSample

The apostle John wrote, “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love” (1 John 4:18). Can we marinate in this verse for a minute? How about repeating the phrase “perfect love expels all fear”? While immersing in the goodness of this truth, let’s not trip over the word “perfect.” We are not perfect, will not be made perfect, and will not perfectly love on this side of eternity. 

The perfect love John spoke of is the perfectly perfected or completely complete love that God has for His children. We can be so confident in His love for us, and in our secured future with Him, that all fear is removed. That is what God tells us in 1 John 4:18.

Abiding with God is the key to conquering fear. Abiding means to be rooted in Him, knit to Him by the Holy Spirit. To abide with God is to allow His completion of us—to grow so that we come to know and trust the security of His love. He works through us as we abide in Him. The bottom line is this: fear should not be a factor for us, but it is. We are humans, and we are going to fear. David, before he became Israel’s king, wrote, “When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).

For our study, let’s define fear as anything real or imagined that brings up thoughts of pain, suffering, loss, and doubt of God’s love. Fear not only directs our thoughts, but it also dictates our actions. This is why we need to learn to properly respond to fear.

God knows fear is going to be part of our lives. The Bible speaks of fear over three hundred times.

But when we allow fear to determine our actions, override our right thinking, and steal our general joy of living, then we have a problem. In-the-moment fear is not a sin. Remember that David said “when I fear,” not if I fear. In the next part of that verse, David gave the antidote to fear: trust. Trust is believing God can and will, even if He hasn’t yet. Remember, fear is not a disqualifier for God’s work; it’s an invitation.

How is fear directing your actions and emotions when it comes to faithfully following God?