What Makes You Afraid?
How Fear Is Used to Manipulate the Masses
South Stevens County Times, Pastor's Perspective Column
By Pastor Tim White
October 2023
When I was a teenager, my older brother and I would stay up late to watch those old black-and-white horror films starring the evil Bella Lugosi. Although very tame compared to today’s horror movies, those classic Frankenstein and Dracula horror flicks made it hard to go to bed in the wee hours of the morning. In time, we both independently chose to watch other forms of entertainment.
As I write this in the last week of September, the movie promotions for October – the “Month of Fear,” or “Scare Month” – have been abundant on television. It is truly alarming to see the degree to which today’s horror flicks detail their depictions of the demonic, the perverseness of evil, and sadistic violence. Fear sells, but that is not all that fear does.
The saying is true: “He who can cause you to fear can control you.” However, that remains true only so long as he can keep you “fear full.” When we submit to fear, we enter a prison where we are more easily persuaded to think and do things than when we are not under its grip. Fear hinders our ability to see things as they are, and we are often unwilling to step out where the fearless walk, convinced we are the foolish ones.
An excellent and disturbing example of the power of fear is the recent “pandemic” (some call it a “PLANdemic,” but you can decide for yourself.) Globalists allied with the World Economic Forum (an unelected non-governmental organization in Switzerland led by the son of a Nazi) spoke with glee about capitalizing on people’s fear of COVID-19 (C-19) as their chance to accelerate their plans for the “Great Reset” (a utopian global socialist New World Order).
Looking back, we find that C-19 (a strain of the flu) was not worthy of the universal fear it inspired amongst the general population. However, it was fear that they intensely “sold” back then, and now these same marketers are trying to sell “Fear 2.0” as we enter the fall. I am planning a special informational one-day conference on COVID-19, vaccines, masks, and related matters at Tri-County Christian Center on Nov. 11th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. More details will be on our website and in next month’s paper.
Many things in life can produce fear in us, and I’m sure we all have stories to tell. When I was a young boy, I had some frightening nightmares where I was (in the dream) so enveloped in fear that I could not move. In real life, we can have similar responses where we cannot bring ourselves to make certain decisions or take the next step – because of fear.
What makes you afraid? Are you dealing with fear in your heart and mind or your current living situation? I want to encourage you – the Bible reveals that God did not create you to live in this limiting and controlling state of fear. Moreover, God’s plan for you is to live a life characterized by freedom – as Christ defines “freedom” (and His freedom is best!)
Galatians 5:1 begins, “It is for freedom that Christ has set you free.” I would have thought it was for my salvation, forgiveness, or eternal life that Christ set me free. But no! As much as these three benefits mentioned above of Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection are ours by faith, the Apostle makes it clear that it was precisely so that you and I can live in “freedom” – now!
Fear, fueled primarily by ignorance of the Truth, is the enemy of living in freedom. For example, with C-19, many governmental agencies, medical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and news sources withheld vital information to keep the public ignorant and compliant. Control was their goal, and their tool was “fear” fueled by misinformation and disinformation. The final “fear” they used was the threat of being given some negative label if you did not comply, or by accusing you of wanting to “kill grandma.”
Proverbs 29:25 is a warning and a promise in one verse: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” Trusting in the LORD is fueled by the opposite of ignorance – by learning, believing, and walking in the ways Christ has taught us to live (as recorded in the Bible).
Jesus said, in John 8:31-32, that those who are indeed His disciples will “keep My teachings.” In the next breath, He reveals the point at which one finds freedom when He says: “Then (by DOING them) you will KNOW (the opposite of ignorance) the Truth, and the Truth will set you free” (emphasis added). Knowing Christ’s Freedom-giving Truth occurs as you apply it to your life.
Whatever the source of your fear, it cannot maintain its power over you. Step forward by faith in the teachings of Christ and trust the promises from God to those who are faithful. King David’s personal knowledge of God diffused all fear as he wrote: “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).
The same is true about the current issues impacting us as citizens of this country and state. We must not allow ourselves or our families to be manipulated by those intent on twisting the facts, falsely portraying reality, and creating hype over the next pandemic. Take it upon yourself to seek out knowledge by researching multiple sources to find the truth. There is no virtue in blindly following what the media tells you.
In the meantime, hold onto this familiar command with a promise, and you will diffuse fear when it tries to take control: “Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].” (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP).
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31b). Amen!