Worship and Fear
// July 17th, 2008 // Christian Living
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…
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.
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. :-)
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.
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. 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… ;-)
Great insight, Ben! Since fear is one of my biggest stumbling blocks, I’ll be chewing on this one for awhile. :)