The Difference Between Love and Fear
Fear - a strong feeling caused by knowing that danger, pain, or evil is near.
This is the most commonly understood and recognized kind of fear that is generally known among human beings.
What is another source of fear ?
There is fear in guilt. (Isaiah 33:14/John 19:7,8/1 Timothy 5:20/1 Samuel 12:20/Esther 7:6/Psalms 119:120)
What is the cause of guilt ?
Selfishness is...the cause of human guilt. (Genesis 42:21/Leviticus 5:3,4/Romans 3:19/James 2:10) There are many different manifestations of selfishness but all result in guilt. The guilt and/or the selfishness are not actually perceived by the human mind when it is not under the control of the Spirit of God.
SELFISHNESS ----------> GUILT ------------> FEAR
Fear is one of the fruits that may grow on the tree of selfishness. So our heavenly Father seeks to cut away at the roots of the tree of selfishness thereby eliminating fear.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. 1 JOHN 4:18
GOD is love. There is no fear in love and there is no fear in GOD. Those who love HIM do not fear His presence. It is the presence of GOD alone that can permanently do away with fear.
ONLY THE SENSE OF GOD’S PRESENCE CAN BANISH THE FEAR. (No matter what the source of that fear may be)
Through JESUS CHRIST, the SON of GOD and representative of GOD, anyone who desires may experience the presence of GOD.
The one who is actually conscious of the presence of CHRIST is able to live without fear as he or she lives life experiencing what heaven is like. “..in thy presence [is] fulness of joy..” (PSALM 16:11) "The definition of heaven is the presence of Christ" and "heaven is all health." Why does perfect love cast out fear ? “...perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.” (1 John 4:18)
The word (noun) torment means great pain or suffering and the pain or suffering may be physical or mental or both. Fear weakens and can ultimately destroy the health of the body and the mind if it is not overcome so perfect love casts it out.
He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)
How is one made perfect in love ? "...practice makes perfect." To be made perfect in love one must be in the habit or practice of loving; of doing good and nothing but good. If the mind is free and happy from a consciousness of right doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it creates a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and a toning up of the entire body. A good circulation purifies the blood, and secures health. Giving or receiving love will significantly improve one’s health.
If we cry out to the LORD in prayer, pleading for HIS presence asking HIM to help us choose (yes, make a choice) to love, this can be our testimony, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:4)
By the grace of God, we will continue to study these things in another post.
T.K.
© 2009 Tyrone Keels
www.issues-of-life.com
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