Why Am I So Afraid?

In my last post I talked about how we bear the image of God and as a result we have a target on our back.  Satan wants to destroy that image by creating doubts about our identity and God's love for us.  Jesus came to earth as the perfect human and if I want to understand what it means to be human then I need to look at Jesus.  I shared from the Bible how Jesus was the beloved Son of the Father.  God was proud of him for who he was and not for what he had done (Matthew 3:16-17).  I also showed how God views us the same way (Ephesians 1:4-5) You can read more at Our Image Is Everything.  

I want to look now at our fears and struggles.  To do that I need to look more at Jesus.  In the very next section of scripture after God shouts from heaven "That's my Son!, I Love Him!, and I AM Proud of Him!" we see Satan get to work.  

I believe every person struggles with two questions at some point and to some degree.  I also believe that all fear can be tied back to one or both of these questions.  They are both tied very closely to our identity.  Do I have what it takes?  Am I worthy of love?  Satan loves to use these questions. He even tried with Jesus.  

Matthew chapter 4:

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a]by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Wait!  Did God the Father not just declare it for everyone to hear “THIS IS MY SON”?  What is Satan doing here?  He is trying to create doubt.  “If you are the Son of God you should not be this hungry.  If your father loves you he would provide for you.  If you have what it takes then prove it and turn these rocks to bread.

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

   and they will lift you up in their hands,

   so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

Here he goes again.  If your dad loves you he will not let you get hurt.  If you are lovable you will be just fine.  This one really cracks me up as a dad.  I cannot tell you how many times my kids have said “daddy catch me” and jumped off of something.  My son still does it and he is taller than me.  I have had to complete some serious ninja like moves at times to make sure they do not hit the ground.  Satan even tries to use scripture this time.  He is really working Jesus over here trying to create that doubt.

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Here he goes again.  Satan knows the plan.  He knows the end game.  Satan is telling Jesus “you don’t have what it takes to complete this mission so I am going to give you the easy way out. Bow down to me and avoid the cross.”  

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

You see Jesus responded each time with the truth.  He used scripture to counter the attacks.  He did not argue or try to rationalize or convince the enemy.  He went straight to the truth.  We now have direct access to the truth.  Jesus said in John 10 “I am the truth”.  When you have doubts about who you are or whose you are take those questions to Jesus.

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