Persuasion by Fear

I am grateful for Holy-Spirit guidance as well as the written word!

“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good [clear, healthy], your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad [evil, unhealthy], your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [Aramaic, riches].

Matthew 6:22-24

Me: Good morning, Father!

ABBA: Good morning, Jon!

Me: You know the situation that brought this passage in Matthew 6 forward this week: the assertion from [a pastor] that, “If you think you are being fed light from another, and if it is really darkness, then it is impossible to come back from that deception.” And that following being subjected to an impassioned candidate speech that had discernment alarms going off. (Thank You for that!)

Abba: Here is a related principle:

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And prudent in their own sight!

Isaiah 5:20-21

For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them,
Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.
Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel,
Palm branch and bulrush in one day.
The elder and honorable, he is the head;
The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.
For the leaders of this people cause them to err,
And those who are led by them are destroyed.

Isaiah 9:16

Me: Those are strong words!

Abba: As they should be! You have noted the speeches of those seeking to persuade are full of enumerations of things to fear; “if you don’t drop your loyalty to the candidate (and friend) you are supporting and throw in with us, then this whole fearful sequence of events will certainly occur and then you’ll be sorry!” [Quick summary paraphrase of the speech content in honor of your valuable time, dear reader.]

Me: Yes, I am certain you revealed that to me by your spirit!

Abba: “Fear not” is the most repeated command in the Scriptures. Jesus often said it. He saw it in the Scriptures He had:

Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you,
Yes, I will help you,
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Isaiah 41:10 [see also verses 11 – 20]

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

So, when one tries to persuade you to abandon the course you were walking with Me by citing things to fear, you can be certain they are not speaking for Me. I am not calling you to weak knees or fearful glances to the left and right. I’m calling you to be of good courage. Lean on me. Look to My way. I will never leave you nor forsake you!

Me: Thank you Father! I love you!

Abba: You are welcome! I love you!