Worship and Fear
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about worship. I’m of the opinion that most of what we struggle with in regards to sin really comes down to a worship issue. It comes down to a question of who/what is our object of worship. We find out what that is by asking motivation questions. Who/what are we sacrificing for?
A great example is fear. I think fear is a kind of worship. If I’m afraid of failure, then I will allow “failure” to determine what I do and do not do. I will obey it like a god. My thoughts, time, money, and energy will go to it. Every decision I make will be submitted to it. Eventually, my life will be built around avoiding even the possibility of failure. Fear is worship.
This sheds new light for me on the concept of “fearing God” too.
Umn… We just studied over the past several weeks that whatever we fear is our god. Fear itself is not the god; the object of our fear is the god. The question was raised whether fear itself is an idol or the bond that attaches us to our idol. It also mentioned that God knows fear is our default mode. Look how much is said in scripture about fear. Kind of blew me away to realize that we’re actually worshipping the object of our fear instead of worshipping our creator who told us to be strong and courageous and to fear not for He is with us forever…
Posted on July 17th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
So would that mean that if I have a fear of failure, I’m actually afraid of the consequences of failing? So if my actions are motivated by a fear of failure, I am actually “worshiping” the positive consequences of succeeding. Or if I’m depressed because my life is terrible, I’m actually “worshiping” the idea of getting everything I want in life. Or if I have a domineering or controlling personality, maybe I’m actually just worshiping the feeling I get when things are done perfectly. Wow.
Great post, Ben.
Posted on July 18th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Hi Joseph
I think the important thing is our “motivation”. Most things are inherently good but if they become a “desire gone crazy” then we end up worshipping that object. Does that make any sense? The desired end is to make room for God in our lives and anything, absolutely anything that crowds Him out, is an idol or something that we’re worshipping other than Him. Look at the commandment about “no other Gods”. It’s a fairly straightforward commandment and God doesn’t really give us an explanation of it, except God says to have no other Gods.
Here’s an example from personal experience. I’m a perfectionist. Being that way isn’t necessarily wrong. I think God wants us to give our best. However, when the desire to be perfect goes way beyond what’s normal or what God intended, then what we’re possibly doing is worshipping that feeling of power of being in control. In doing that, we’re saying to God - we don’t trust you to be in control of our lives. We shut Him out. It’s definitely hard to release the hold on that kind of powerful feeling one has of being in control.
I think this was a great post Ben. Not sure I’m making any sense. :-)
Posted on July 18th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
We tend to make ourselves an idol. That which stirs our feelings gets our attention until we decide there is something bigger and better to worship. Good post, Ben.
Posted on July 18th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
It was Martin Luther that first said that all the commandments stem from the first. That if you are coveting, then you have already broken (or are in the process of breaking) the first commandment. If Jesus is the object of your worship, then you will not covet, murder, commit adultery, etc.
Tim Keller says that no one changes without worship.
Jesus sends the point home when he talks about the 10 commandments in terms of the condition of our heart in Matt. 5:21-48 [+/-]Matthew 5:21-48
[21]"You have heard that it was said to those of old,
'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable
to judgment.' [22]But I say to you that everyone who is
angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever
insults his brother will be liable to the council; and
whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of
fire. [23]So if you are offering your gift at the altar and
there remember that your brother has something against you,
[24]leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be
reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your
gift. [25]Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you
are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you
over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be
put in prison. [26]Truly, I say to you, you will never get
out until you have paid the last penny.
[27]"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not
commit adultery.' [28]But I say to you that everyone who
looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed
adultery with her in his heart. [29]If your right eye
causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is
better that you lose one of your members than that your
whole body be thrown into hell. [30]And if your right hand
causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is
better that you lose one of your members than that your
whole body go into hell.
[31]"It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let
him give her a certificate of divorce.' [32]But I say to
you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the
ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and
whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
[33]"Again you have heard that it was said to those of
old, 'You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the
Lord what you have sworn.' [34]But I say to you, Do not
take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne
of God, [35]or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by
Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36]And do
not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair
white or black. [37]Let what you say be simply 'Yes' or
'No'; anything more than this comes from evil.
[38]"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye
and a tooth for a tooth.' [39]But I say to you, Do not
resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the
right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40]And if anyone
would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak
as well. [41]And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go
with him two miles. [42]Give to the one who begs from you,
and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
[43]"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love
your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [44]But I say to you,
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
[45]so that you may be sons of your Father who is in
heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the
good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46]For
if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do
not even the tax collectors do the same? [47]And if you
greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than
others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? [48]You
therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is
perfect. (ESV). He tells us that the issue is much deeper than what we DO, but extends all the way down to the condition of our heart.
I feel a sermon coming on… ;-)
Posted on July 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Great insight, Ben! Since fear is one of my biggest stumbling blocks, I’ll be chewing on this one for awhile. :)
Posted on July 20th, 2008 at 8:37 am