Is fear of the future a sin...?

[jargew]

I hear many people including Christians saying they are afraid of the future because of Trump, the middle east, Isis ...etc. They say that they think the world is on the wrong course, the quality of life for Westerners will decrease and they fear for the future.

BUT, as Christians, don't we have confidence that God is in control and will work all things out according to His plan? Is fearing for the future a reflection of a lack of faith concerning the power of God and His ability to control the future?

Thoughts?

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Anything done not in faith is sin. If you don't have faith in the future you are already sinning. Romans 14:23

 

[dysert]

Anything done not in faith is sin. If you don't have faith in the future you are already sinning. Romans 14:23

"Faith in the future"? What's that mean?

 

[CrystalDragon]

Anything done not in faith is sin. If you don't have faith in the future you are already sinning. Romans 14:23

So people have to right to be worried about the future?

 

[dysert]

I hear many people including Christians saying they are afraid of the future. Because of Trump, the middle east, Isis ...etc. They say that they think the world is on the worng course, the quality of life will decrease and they fear for the future.

BUT, as Christians, don't we have confidence that God is in control and will work all things out according to His plan? Is fearing for the future a reflection of a lack of faith concerning the power of God and His ability to control the future?

Thoughts?

First of all, fear comes from the enemy, so I think Christians should not fear. Unfortunately, we do fear things, though, because even though we know God has the power to control the future, history indicates that He rarely uses that power to overcome the natural world. If He did, Christians wouldn't get fired, wouldn't get cancer, wouldn't go bankrupt, etc.

It's because God rarely breaks into the natural flow of things (which is a downhill flow since we live in a fallen world) that we expect things to happen that won't suit us, and we can therefore become fearful.

 

[CrystalDragon]

First of all, fear comes from the enemy, so I think Christians should not fear. Unfortunately, we do fear things, though, because even though we know God has the power to control the future, history indicates that He rarely uses that power to overcome the natural world. If He did, Christians wouldn't get fired, wouldn't get cancer, wouldn't go bankrupt, etc.

It's because God rarely breaks into the natural flow of things (which is a downhill flow since we live in a fallen world) that we expect things to happen that won't suit us, and we can therefore become fearful.

I wouldn't say "fear comes from the enemy" since fear in some ways can protect us. Like if you encountered a rabid dog, for instance.

 

[dysert]

I wouldn't say "fear comes from the enemy" since fear in some ways can protect us. Like if you encountered a rabid dog, for instance.

2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(But yes, I would be afraid of a rabid dog.)

 

[Radrook]

Anything done not in faith is sin. If you don't have faith in the future you are already sinning. Romans 14:23

That's why worry about the Sun eventually going Red Giant is a sin.

 

[Radrook]

2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

(But yes, I would be afraid of a rabid dog.)

I met a Christian who said that if he saw a rhino charging towards him he would just kneel and pray instead of running.

 

[CrystalDragon]

I met a Christian who said that if he saw a rhino charging towards him he would just kneel and pray instead of running.

If he did that he'd die.

Paralyzing fear isn't good and is a detriment, but in general we fear for a reason. It keeps us safe. If our ancestors did not appropriately fear when animals were attacking them (or other people, for that matter), we would not be here and humanity might have gone extinct.

 

[dysert]

If he did that he'd die.

Paralyzing fear isn't good and is a detriment, but in general we fear for a reason. It keeps us safe. If our ancestors did not appropriately fear when animals were attacking them (or other people, for that matter), we would not be here and humanity might have gone extinct.

No doubt we fear for various reasons. My question would be, is this a good reason to fear or am I being fearful because I'm not trusting God for something I should?

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

So people have to right to be worried about the future?

As a christian our future is bright we need to have faith that things will work out. Theres also a clear reason why its sin to live in fear and thats because its not healthy, likewise when you live by faith you reap the benefits. It's like driving a car, if you have confidence you will do better than someone who drives in fear. Which could lead to an accident. God has made things sin and not sin for our benefit and we are better off not sinning and living by faith. The benefits are obvious of a faith filled life over a fear filled life.

 

[dysert]

As a christian our future is bright we need to have faith that things will work out.

Be careful. I agree that things will *ultimately* work out (e.g., perhaps after we die), but lots and lots of Christians think that things will work out for them in this lifetime, and it simply doesn't happen that way (much of the time).

 

[Radrook]

If he did that he'd die.

Paralyzing fear isn't good and is a detriment, but in general we fear for a reason. It keeps us safe. If our ancestors did not appropriately fear when animals were attacking them (or other people, for that matter), we would not be here and humanity might have gone extinct.

He kept saying that anything you request in faith would be granted. But I agree. I personally would run.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Be careful. I agree that things will *ultimately* work out (e.g., perhaps after we die), but lots and lots of Christians think that things will work out for them in this lifetime, and it simply doesn't happen that way (much of the time).

As long as it works out in the end that's all that really matters if you think about it. This life is short. Eternity is much longer.

 

[dysert]

As long as it works out in the end that's all that really matters if you think about it. This life is short. Eternity is much longer.

Well, the reason I cautioned to be careful is because I've known lots of Christians who thought things would work out in this life and became seriously disenchanted with Christianity when it didn't happen.

 

[CrystalDragon]

He kept saying that anything you request in faith would be granted. But I agree. I personally would run.

Yeah, but I'm not sure if anyone's requested the ability to talk to animals and understand them to calm them down or anything, or to teleport thecrabid animal away. That would be cool though.

 

[ImAllLikeOkWaitWat]

Well, the reason I cautioned to be careful is because I've known lots of Christians who thought things would work out in this life and became seriously disenchanted with Christianity when it didn't happen.

Thats understandable for christians to feel that way when life goes bad but the bible never promises a great life in this life. So I don't expect one although would like one but don't expect to live this amazing life now but when the time comes at the resurrection is when the real fun begins.

 

[*Cher]

We have hope but we see the enemy trying to destroy that hope. In the end God's got this.

 

[kimberlyw]

We have hope but we see the enemy trying to destroy that hope. In the end God's got this.

Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. Proverbs 31:25