Dr. Dennis Deese
“THE DANGER OF UNCONTROLLED FEAR”
(The Leader’s fear)
1 SAMUEL 27-29
Chapters 27 thorough 29 depict for us the devastating results of a life controlled by fear. Satan uses the emotion of fear as one of his most effective means of hindering progress among the people of God.
It was F.D.R. who made the statement that has become so famous “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Why has that statement left such an indelible mark upon the mind of human history? Because the highway of fear is the shortest route to defeat!
“The fear of failure is the father of failure.”
God has given us fear as an emotion thus the function of fear is to warn us of danger, not to make us afraid to face it. The problem is that we often mash the panic button.
“Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” (Hebrews 10:38)
This relentless pursuit of Saul to kill David and David’s inability to escape this perpetual mind boggling experience of fear (1 Samuel 21:10; 22:23; 23:17, & 26) month after month finally took its toll. It gained control of his thinking and actions!
There are three things every leader should know about fear: They must be aware of:
I. ITS POWERFUL INFLUENCE 27:1; 28:5
“Both faith and fear sail into the harbor of your mind, but only faith should be allowed to anchor.”
Because it has such a powerful influence it’s essential that you embrace three things when you are stricken with fear:
A. Caution - 27:1 “there is nothing better for me”
B. Counsel - 27:1 “in his heart” Wrong counsel regardless of its source is dangerous, not one of the six hundred men or their families gave loving honest counsel to David.
C. Communion - none found in these chapters
II. ITS POTENTIAL REPERCUSSIONS 27:2-7; 28:6; 29:1-5
A. Distracted thinking 27:1
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,” (Hebrews 12:2a)
“For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” (Hebrews 12:3)
B. Weakened faith 27:1
C. Hindered progress 27:7 Why? Broken fellowship with God
D. Wrong decisions 27:1; 28:7-20
E. Backsliding losses 28:3-4
1. Concerning Saul - The man of God was gone so the enemy planned an attack. This defeat would not have happened if Saul had not been in a backslidden condition.
2. Concerning David - David did not write any Psalms during this 16 month period of being out of God’s will.
F. Regrettable situations 29:1-11
G. God’s judgment 30:1-2; 28:18-19
III. ITS PREVAILING ANTIDOTE 30:6 Three ingredients:
A. Faith
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25)
B. Love
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
C. Truth
“Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed: and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
