Do Not Be Afraid

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” – Matthew 14:27

Pero enseguida Jesús les dijo: «Tengan ánimo, soy Yo; no teman». – Mateo 14:27

Let’s look at what Scripture tells us about not being afraid. As explained prior, fear can be a major cause of anxiety, and it is also how this world—and the corrupt, evil people in it—try to control and manipulate you.

YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE

We see it written:

“Do not be afraid” (Matt 1:20; 14:27; 17:7; 28:5, 10; Mar 5:36; 6:50; Luk 1:13, 30; 2:10; 8:50; 12:4, 32; Joh 6:20; Act 18:9; 27:24; Rev 1:17; cf. Deu 31:6; Pro 3:25),
“Fear not” (Joh 12:15; cf. Isa 35:4; Jer 30:10), and
“Fear no evil” (Psa 23:4).

As you can see, Jesus is telling you straight up (repeatedly[1]): “Do not be afraid.” Amen!

Not only has Christ “set you free” (see Joh 8:31–32; Eph 4:8; Rom 6:6; 8:2) from bondage under sin, Satan, and death, but He has also given you “a spirit of adoption” into His family (Rom 8:15; cf. 2Ti 1:7), so you no longer have to live in fear of men (Joh 8:31–36; Mat 10:28; 1Pe 3:14; Act 5:29; Psa 56:11; 118:6; cf. Eph 1:18–21; 1Co 15:25–27; Heb 2:8; Jer 42:11; Pro 29:25).[2] Even though this world will continue being evil and corrupt, and even though evil men and women go on being and doing evil all around you (2Ti 3:1–4 cf. Rev 22:11; Jos 24:15), you do not have to be afraid. We see it written:

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psa 23:4)
“The Lord is for me; I will not fear;
What can man do to me?” (Psa 118:6)
“If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (Joh 8:36)
“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Mat 10:28)
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1Jn 4:4)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.” (2Ti 1:7 ESV)
“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Rom 8:15)
“For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” (2Ch 16:9)
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28)
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:37–39)
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Heb 2:14–15)
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” (1Jn 4:18)
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Eph 6:10–13)[3]

I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS

In closing this section of the book and by way of recap, let us always be mindful that for a Christian the Lord Jesus Christ is all things at all times. He will “guide you” (see Psa 23:3), teach you, correct you, give you “wisdom” (Jas 1:5)[4] and “strength” (Php 4:13), and lead you in all ways that are holy, righteous, true, and “good” (Rom 12:2; Phm 1:6; Heb 13:21; Jas 1:17). Understand that no matter where you find yourself, as a “child of God,”[5] Christ is right there with you (Mat 28:20; cf. Gen 28:15; Deu 31:6–8; Jos 1:5; Isa 41:10; Psa 23:4), so there is no reason for anxiety, worry, doubt, or fear (Joh 16:33; Php 4:6–7; 1Pe 5:6–7; cf. Joh 19:30). He knows your situation, your circumstances, and your heart, and He promises never to leave, forget, or forsake you (Heb 13:5; Deu 31:8; Jos 1:5; cf. 2Ti 2:13). Nothing happens to you without Jesus knowing about it—ever! He sees every single thing that happens to every single Christian! Fully realize that there is no such thing as luck, good or bad fortune, or coincidences for a child of God!

Furthermore, He will give you His might, His strength, His wisdom, His hope, and His power to overcome anxiety, and you will be living “by the Spirit” of God abiding in you (Act 20:22; Rom 2:29; 8:13–14; 1Co 2:13; 12:3; Gal 3:3; 5:18, 25; 2Th 2:13; 1Jn 3:24; cf. Eph 4:24) and not by your own might or power.[6] Yes, the very same Spirit of power that raised Jesus from the dead now lives in you (Rom 8:11; Joh 15:1–10; Gal 2:20; Eph 3:20), as God “according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1Pe 1:3).

Take comfort in those facts and “cast all your anxiety on Him” (see 1Pe 5:6–7; cf. Psa 55:22). He promises to take it from you and give you His peace—“the peace of God, which surpasses all [human] comprehension” (see Php 4:6–7)—which you get if you follow the instructions we have been given in Scripture.[7] Always remember that your hope, peace, and trust are in Christ, not in man or the things of this world (Heb 12:2; Psa 146:3–5; Num 23:19; Rom 3:4; Mat 6:33; Col 3:1; Tit 1:2; cf. Jer 17:5, 7; Psa 118:8–9; 146:3). Amen!

CHAPTER PRAYER

Dear Lord, hallowed be Your great name. I humbly come before You now to thank You for the gift of today, the gift of Your Son, Jesus, on the cross, and the forgiveness of sins that You offer through Him. Help me obey You instead of man. Help me stand strong in my faith and the power of Your Word. Help me memorize verses that I can draw on in times of need. Help me remember that You are a BIG God and that all things are under Your command and control. Help me fully trust in the promises You have given me in Scripture and go forward confidently and boldly in the assurance of Your grace, power, and love. Help me do all these things even when I don’t understand why things are happening the way they are, knowing You are a good and loving God who is watching over me and all things that happen. Grant me grace that I may treat others with humility and the respect they deserve at all times, regardless of how they behave toward me. I’m mindful that I’m Your ambassador here in this fallen world. May this prayer find favor in Your sight. Amen.

[1] The phrase “do not be afraid” appears seventeen times in the NT; eleven of those times were spoken by Jesus.

[2] Please don’t misunderstand what I’m saying here. Christians everywhere have a duty to obey governmental authorities and abide by civil laws where such do not conflict with the Word of God (Act 5:29; Rom 13:1–7; Mat 17:24–27; 22:21; Mar 12:17; Luk 20:25; Tit 3:1; 1Pe 2:13–17). You are also to be obedient to those who are in authority in a civil manner as specified in courts of law (e.g., this is written to those serving sentences for their deeds and actions). We must also give honor to those to whom it is due (Rom 13:1, 7; cf. 1Ti 2:1–2) and not slander, gossip, ridicule, demean, mock, threaten, or verbally insult those who govern over us (even if we disagree with them). Note that this also includes properly paying your taxes (whether you agree with them or not, while availing of all legal and allowed deductions, of course), not cheating on them, and so on. (Mat 22:15–22; cf. Mat 17:24–27). It’s important to keep in mind that the nations (rulers, governments) are under God’s command and control (Act 17:26; Psa 22:28; 46:8–10; 66:7; Isa 41:2; Deu 32:8; Job 12:23; cf. Gen 11:8). He sees and knows what is going on (both the good and bad, the noble and the corrupt, and the benevolent and ruthless; 1Pe 3:12; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; cf. Rom 8:28–29), and there is no excuse for the Christian to be disorderly or disobedient to authorities where rules, regulations, and decrees (i.e., executive orders today) do not conflict with the Word of God.

[3] See the chapter “The Armor of God” in our book The Gospel of the Grace of God for more information.

[4] See the chapter “The Wisdom of God” in our book The Gospel of the Grace of God for more information.

[5] See the chapter “Living in the Spirit” for verse references.

[6] See the section “Not by Might or Power but by My Spirit” in the chapter “Living in the Spirit.”

[7] See the chapters “Living in the Spirit,” “The Peace of God,” and “Understanding Prayer.”

R. John Anderson

Photographer and author R. John Anderson has journeyed the world over to capture the natural beauty of God’s creation. Having traveled to many countries and continents in a span of over thirty years, he has seen the amazing artistry that can be found in all types of locations, from the glacial fjords of polar Greenland to the wild Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the rich rain forests of Costa Rica. Nature’s greatest natural beauty often lies in the harshest deserts, remotest wilderness, and sub-zero ice-covered regions.