Christian Foundations

May 11, 2007

I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid . . . and I hid myself.

--Genesis 3:10

Perhaps one of the most damaging effects of sin is that it separates us from God and others. In fact, Satan loves nothing more than to try and cut you off from God.

Now, one of the ways he tries to do that is to make you afraid to face God. While you are certainly supposed to fear the Lord, that is not the kind of fear God intends.

The opening chapter of Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And that kind of fear is best described as reverent awe.

But Satan tries to tell us we need to be afraid of God…and that we should run from Him, much like when Adam and Eve hid in the garden.

Putting the wrong kind of fear of God in your heart is part of Satan’s plan to trick you into separating yourself from God. But that’s a dangerous position to put youself in, because you end up running from the protection and love of God and open yourself up to the devil’s attacks.

Have you ever thought about how impossible it is to hide from God? In fact, if you think about it, there’s really no rational reason for running from God. He can see you no matter where you are. And more importantly, He can see your heart.

So it’s not only damaging for you to try and hide from God, but it is also pointless.

Instead of running from God, let me encourage you to run to Him! Don’t separate yourself from the protection and love of the One who knows you and loves you intimately. Fear the Lord, but don’t be afraid of Him.

LEARN TO LIVE IN THE REVERENTIAL FEAR OF GOD, BUT DON’T FALL INTO SATAN’S TRAP OF BEING AFRAID OF GOD.