ONEIDA, Tenn. (BNC) by John T. Polk II — QUESTION: “Why is there so much to fear?” REPLY: Because the wicked are in charge of the media which promotes it! Proverbs 10:24-25:
“The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”
Wicked people have more reason to live in fear because they do not honor God’s wisdom in their lives; they naturally assume others also live as they do. Therefore they cannot assume anyone else lives honorably. Other Proverbs show this, as well:
Proverbs 28:1:“The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion;”
Proverbs 29:25:“The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.”
#1. Trust in God
A guilty conscience makes one afraid, but one who “trusts in the LORD” feels “safe” and “bold as a lion.”
Governments who fear their own citizens will govern badly and fail. Corporations who fear honest competition will resort to dishonorable methods and lose their appeal.
#2. Fear of God
The Word of God, and Book of Proverbs in particular, is full of references to “the fear of the LORD,” using “fear” meaning “awe and respect” of God. “The fear of man,” however, brings its own “snare.” The Psalmist said in Psalm 118:6:
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Jesus Christ taught: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
This was echoed in Hebrews 13:6:“So we may boldly say: ‘The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’”
Propaganda merchants drum home the doctrine of “Fear” of nearly everything and everyone. Harlotwood spews this doctrine in its movies. People who live in fear have difficulty having love, because
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).
#3. Worthy of death
Then there are people whose conscience makes them flee for good reason: they have done something worthy of death. Proverbs 28:17:
“A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit; Let no one help him.”
This follows God’s principle of capital punishment in Genesis 9:6:
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man.”
God’s Law given through Moses continued this relationship in Numbers 35:33:
“So you shall not pollute the land where you are; for blood defiles the land, and no atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it.”
Those who are “burdened with bloodshed” would include abortionists, other murderers, inciters of riots, racial hatred propagators, and any other hateful person who prompts violent deaths. Their consciences should disturb them and make them run for cover and hide from right-thinking people, for murder victims must be vindicated by the death of their murderers.
#4. Everlasting foundation
Contrast this with the “desire of the righteous” who will be rewarded in this life and the life to come. After the “whirlwind” (tornado) of judgment has passed over the land, the “wicked” will have lost all they live for, while the “righteous” will have their honorable “everlasting foundation” upon which to rebuild their lives.
Questions & Replies by John T. Polk ll, published in “Oneida Opportunities,” for Jan. 12.
Reaction?