Evangelism Part 36: Glossoevangelionphobia
Matthew 10:26-31 May 12, 2024
Introduction
On September 7, 1851, the unbeliever Henry David Thoreau wrote in his journal,
“Nothing is so much to be feared as fear.”
o In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt paraphrased this line in his inaugural address when
he famously stated that “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”
o This is a thoroughly unbiblical view, as the only thing we are to fear is the Lord.
However, fears of all types and the fear of fear (phobophobia) is rampant in our
day and age.
“The American Psychiatric Institute for Research and Education (APIRE) has reported
that in any given year, 7.8 percent of American adults have phobias. They are the most
common psychiatric illness among women of all ages and are the second most common
illness among men older than 25.” https://dmh.lacounty.gov/our-services/employment-
education/education/phobia/
25 phobias that begin with the letter “A” (List of Phobias: Common Phobias From A to Z
(verywellmind.com))
o Ablutophobia: Fear of bathing
o Achluophobia: Fear of darkness
o Acrophobia: Fear of heights
o Aerophobia: Fear of flying
o Algophobia: Fear of pain
o Agoraphobia: Fear of open spaces or crowds
o Aichmophobia: Fear of needles or pointed objects
o Amaxophobia: Fear of riding in a car
o Androphobia: Fear of men
o Anemophobia: Fear of air
o Anginophobia: Fear of angina or choking
o Angrophobia: Fear of anger
o Anthrophobia: Fear of flowers
o Anthropophobia: Fear of people or society
o Aphenphosmphobia: Fear of being touched
o Arachibutyrophobia: Fear of peanut butter
o Arachnophobia: Fear of spiders
o Arithmophobia: Fear of numbers
o Astraphobia: Fear of thunder and lightning
o Astrophobia: Fear of outer space
o Ataxophobia: Fear of disorder or untidiness
o Atelophobia: Fear of imperfection
o Atychiphobia: Fear of failure
o Automatonophobia: Fear of human-like figures
o Autophobia: Fear of being alone
NOTE: These are serious psychological matters and I do not mean to make
light of these things or demean in any way folks who struggle with these
things…except the fear of peanut butter…come on.
Relevant to today:
o Ecclesiophobia Fear of a church building
o Homilophobia Fear of sermons
Matthew 10:26-31 “26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be
revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the
light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear
those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both
soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them
will fall to the ground apart from your Father.30 But even the hairs of your head are all
numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Fear of Man
Who is “them”? Back to verse 17 “Beware of men (fear of man), for they will deliver you
over to courts and flog you in their synagogues…”
o Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is
safe.”
“Fear” (Gk. phobeō) means to be in an apprehensive state that can range from mild
uneasiness to stark terror as when one is anxious, alarmed, frightened, or terrified
o John MacArthur, “The most common use of it in the New Testament represents
reverential awe, not cringing fright. It expresses the feeling of a person who is in
the presence of someone infinitely superior… In the synoptic gospels and Acts
the term [usually addresses] the feeling in a person’s heart when he is confronted
with divine power, and it is declared to be a part of the Christian’s attitude as he
seeks to faithfully serve the Lord (Acts 9:31). Reverential awe of God is a part of
the truly repentant life (2Cor. 7:10–11), the chaste life (1 Pet. 3:2), the holy life (2
Cor. 7:1), and the godly life (Phil. 2:12). Mutual ministry, love, and respect, as well
as powerful evangelism and proper church discipline, are all grounded in
reverential awe of the Lord (see 2 Cor. 5:11; Eph. 5:21; 1 Tim. 5:20). It is the
substance out of which all right Christian worship, behavior, and service must
come.” See MacArthur New Testament Matthew Commentary
Why v28 says to fear the Lord.
Fear of the Lord is foundational to a growing and vibrant faith. Scripture has
many exhortations to the fear of the Lord, here are but a few: Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom
and instruction.” Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Psalm 34:9 “Oh,
fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!”
o But this text is one of the places where Matthew is not necessarily addressing fear
of the Lord – with the exception of v28, but with the fear of man
o This Greek word is the same from which we get phobia, which is when a fear is either
irrational or excessive. It is an abnormally fearful response to a danger that is
imagined or is irrationally exaggerated.
In October of last year, the most recent Chapman University Survey of
American Fears was released. It was conducted in the spring of 2023 by asking
a random sample of 1,014 adults across the United States about ninety-seven
different fears ranging from topics about the environment, government, the
economy, war, natural disasters, and many more.
Top 10 Fears of 2023 % of Very Afraid or Afraid
- Corrupt government officials 60.1%
- Economic/financial collapse 54.7%
- Russia using nuclear weapons 52.5%
- The US becoming involved in another World War
52.3% - People I love becoming seriously ill 50.6%
- People I love dying 50.4%
- Pollution of drinking water 50.0%
- Biological warfare 49.5%
- Cyber-terrorism 49.3%
- Not having enough money for the future
48.0%
https://blogs.chapman.edu/wilkinson/2023/10/20/the-top-10-fears-in-
american-2023/
The three commands in this passage to fear not (v26, v28, v31) are NOT given as an
indictment to the fearful person. They are not meant to condemn or shame us for our
fear. Instead, they are meant to be a comforting encouragement to us to draw nearer to
the Lord in the situations and circumstances that cause fear – especially as we are
serving the Lord and sharing His truth.
o For the child of God, phobias are attacks rooted in the lies of the enemy to be
overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God as His truth
replaces the lies; our phobias do not disqualify us from God’s love nor remove us
from God’s grace.
Two manifestations of fear
o Emotion
Fear is the normal and appropriate emotional response to a danger.
The emotion of fear is NOT sin. It is a helpful biological/emotional reaction
that God gave us to protect is from harmful things.
o Volition
When the emotion of fear takes root and gives us a mentality of fear
toward a thing, that causes us to make decisions in view of that fear, that is
the situation and scenario when fear turns into a sinful response that does
not trust in the Lord
Chrysostom’s mindset when he was brought before the Roman emperor and was
threatened with banishment is exemplary. It is recorded that upon being threatened
with banishment he told the emperor, “Thou canst not banish me for this world is my
father’s house.” “But I will slay thee,” said the Emperor. “Nay, thou canst not,” said the
noble champion of the faith, “for my life is hid with Christ in God.” “I will take away thy
treasures.” “Nay, but thou canst not for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.”
“But I will drive thee away from man and thou shalt have no friend left.” “Nay, thou
canst not, for I have a friend in heaven from whom thou canst not separate me. I defy
thee; for there is nothing that thou canst do to hurt me.”
Three reasons from this passage to trust in the Lord (fear not) – i.e. why fear of man is
an irrational and excessive (a phobia) according to God
o He has called you to live out your faith and will enable you to do it (v 26-27)
o He is sovereign/supreme and in control (v28)
o He loves you (v29-31)
Evangelism Preventing Fear
Glossoevangelionphobia – fear of sharing the gospel in public (I made this up)
In the late 1800s, Black Bart was a professional thief whose very name struck fear as he
terrorized the Wells Fargo stage line. From San Francisco to New York, his name became
synonymous with the danger of the frontier. Between 1875 and 1883 he robbed 29
different stagecoach crews. Amazingly, Bart did it all without firing a shot. Because a
hood hid his face, no victim ever saw his face. He never took a hostage and was never
trailed by a sheriff. Instead, Black Bart used fear to paralyze his victims. His sinister
presence was enough to overwhelm the toughest stagecoach guard. (Today in the
Word, August 8, 1992)
Five fears the enemy uses to keep us from sharing the gospel:
- I am afraid of not knowing what to say
Truth: the Spirit of the Lord lives in you and will move through. He will
direct you. Your humility is key, not your knowledge.
Remember v26-27 - I am afraid of rejection or failure
Truth: Success or failure is not defined by you, nor is your success
dependent on you. Everything depends on the Lord – you are only
responsible for trust-filled obedience
Remember v26-27, v28
- I am afraid of how they will respond to me.
Don’t want to be “pushy”, invade privacy, or seem “intolerant” or “bigoted”
Truth: they are not responding to – it is not personal – they are responding
to the gospel and to God. Your pride puts you in the way.
Remember v28 - I am afraid to share my story
Truth: The Lord will use the most shameful or mundane testimony to bring
Himself glory. Remember that your story is not really about you, its about
the Lord and what He has done in you and through you.
Remember v29-31 - I am afraid that I am a hypocrite
Truth: we are all unworthy sinners in our flesh. We are all new creations in
Christ, and though our flesh may still have momentary victory, the Sprit of
the Lord will continue to sanctify us. Walk in confession, repentance, and
return to the Lord in worship and He will even glorify Himself through your
sin.
Remember v29-31
Conclusion
As we study scripture, we will find that the key to successful witnessing and overcoming
fear is in knowing truth 1) God has sent us and will enable us to accomplish the work) He
is sovereign and in control – the results are His, and 3) He loves you.
o 1 John 4:18-19 “18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear…. 19
We love because he first loved us.”
Jesus exemplified all of these truths as He calls us to walk in them. He has given us the
Holy Spirit who will lead us into truth, who will help us cast aside the deceptions of fear.
Let us walk in this truth, let us walk in the Lord’s love, and let us help people take one
step closer to the Lord as often as we can to the glory of our King.
Amen. Amen.