Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Hamartophobia

Fear is sometimes appropriate

If a homophobe is a person who is opposed to the practices of homosexuality, then I am a homophobe. The same is true for being an Islamophobe. In fact, all faithful Christians fit those categories, if we define the term in the common vernacular. In our current culture, the words above are used in order to intimidate people. Many do not want to be seen as intolerant, so they back off and refuse to lovingly tell the truth.

Let’s look at the definition of phobia. Phobia actually means a dread or fear. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words says it is something that causes one to flee in fear. It is a strong word. In that sense, I am not a homophobe or an Islamaphobe. They concern me, but I am not ready to run in terror over them.

What I am trying to train myself to be is an hamartophobe though. That simply means one who is terrified of SIN. How easily we feel comfortable being near it even though its very presence should cause us to flee in fear. The dread should exist because of its ability to influence us. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Even more than that, we should fear because of the justice and wrath of God!

If we stop to think of the end result of participation in sin, we will want to run in terror from it. Do not be fooled by it. Satan can entice you with it: make you see it as something that will benefit you, make you wise, and even make you closer to God. In the end you will be removed from the blessings of God’s favor. Let us not fear (phobia) what men do (Matthew 10:26), but rather let us fear their influence and God’s reaction to sin—even if it means we will be called names as a result.