Fear-Mongering In The Religious World

 Fear-Mongering In The Religious World


By "fear-mongering," I mean the intentional (or even unintentional) bringing about of consternation in the hearers or readers of a speaker or writer whose words would, under "natural" conditions, produce dread, alarm, or dismay.  Not all fear, of course, is bad, in that all people are to fear the One, True, and Only Triune God.  But all other fear is to be suspect.

 

Some religious fear makes all the sense in the world.  Adherents of non-Christian religions should fear, since they have good cause to.  As well, all non-regenerate Christians should fear even more--since they (presumably) know the truth of the gospel, but do not embrace Christ in it, by faith.

 

It is my personal opinion and conviction that Christian fear-mongers send out their alarming and dreadful messages because they are not (really) trusting in Jesus Christ and His gospel of grace.  I am aware that they would likely retort with arguments to the contrary--but the proof of their genuineness and sincerity would be in a peaceful and serene presentation of Christ in His gospel.

 

Any religious person--Christian or otherwise--whose hope is in government, the financial system, health, family, a job, their religious devotion, or their religious passion, again, has good cause to fear.  All of their hopes will (and must) fail.  God will make sure they do.

 

Do we read anywhere, especially in the New Testament, of any God-ordained leader of Christ's church engendering or encouraging fear in the people of God--except for the fear of God Himself?  Do we see any place where the apostles (and other church officers) tell the sheep of Christ's pasture to be afraid of the Romans, the Jews, persecution, or death itself?  The answer, of course, is, "No."

 

I can understand why Jews or Muslims or Hindus or Buddhists, or adherents of any other religion *would* fear governments, states, persecution, and death--and indeed the devotees of these religions *are* sometimes persecuted, killed, and treated unfairly, (though not nearly as much as Christians).  Again: all non-regenerate people (sinners) should be afraid.  Their temporal fears are nothing compared to what they especially should fear from the Living God.

 

Since all people are, in fact, "religious," whether they want to admit it, or not, it is also the case that all "secular" people should fear, too.  They have good cause for it.  Like everyone else, their money, their gold, their stocks, their bonds will all fail them.  These things cannot be relied on.

 

One of the great glories of being in Jesus, as a faithful member of His true church, is that we can rest assured in Christ, and fear nothing.  We know we will have trouble, strife, persecution, tribulation, distress, affliction, and trials--but we fear none of them.  Our Lord Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, will see us through all of them; and He will walk with us through all of them.

 

So, the next time you true Christians see some alarming religious-based news report or posting of some sort--and you are tempted to think, "Oh my, I should be afraid of this!"--do not be.  Recognize that those who are sealed in Jesus Christ's blood have the Shield of Faith protecting them.  Be among this blessed, secure, and free people, by putting all your faith in Jesus Christ; and loving God sincerely through Him.

 

For all the true (regenerated) saints, but for them alone, these words apply: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea . . . ," (Ps. 46:1-2/ESV).

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #41

21 November 2025

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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