Overcoming Fearનમૂનો

THE FRUIT OF FEAR

We talked about the Spirit of fear yesterday; today, I want to talk about the fruit of fear. While fear is not a fruit anyone wants, it grows from seeds that many unknowingly plant. We are told in Proverbs 4:23 to guard our hearts for out of it flow the issues of life. In a parable about the kingdom, Jesus warns that what we plant will grow of itself (Mark 4:28 ESV). What we plant will grow in our hearts and overflow in our lives and emotions.

Matthew 14:22-32 shares the story of Jesus and Peter walking on the water. Jesus sent the disciples across the sea, and a storm arose. They were scared, and then they saw a figure walking on the water, and they got really scared. But Jesus (the one walking on the water) said, “Take heart, it is I. Don’t be afraid.” Peter’s response was, If it’s really you, command me to come to you.” Jesus called him to come to Him. Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water. If we stop here, we celebrate and commend Peter, so full of faith that he got out of the boat and walked on water. He did the impossible. But the story keeps going.

Matthew 14:30 (ESV): “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ’Lord, save me.’"

When he saw the wind, he was afraid. From the comfort of my home, it's easy to be critical of Peter. As I see, he was already successfully walking on water! What difference does it make if there is wind? You are doing the impossible! But something shifted. He had been looking to Jesus, and now he was looking at the waves. Where he looked, determined what filled him, what fruit was in his life. When he looked to Jesus, it was faith; when he looked at the wind and waves, it was fear.

Our world is so loud and wants to show us all the waves. News stations broadcast every tragedy. Doctors give the worst-case scenario. We are bombarded with messages about everything that might even potentially go wrong. Where we place our hearts will produce fruit. If we place them on God, the rock that isn’t shaken in the storm, we can have faith to walk on water, the impossible. But if we place our focus on the problems, the fruit will be fear, and even the impossible that was happening will fade from view as fear takes hold. So, let's fix our eyes on Jesus.