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.

Never Fear

F. D. R.

In 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt immortalized the saying, “The only thing we have to fear is Fear itself.” Spoken in the context of the Great Depression and the challenges the world faced, this was a perfect statement to rally a nation. It emphasized a key principle for life: We must live by faith, not fear.

Roosevelt’s words ring true because they came from the teachings of God. The Bible is full of men and women who lived in faith. They overcame their fears. They triumphed in life because they trusted in God amidst uncertain futures. Hebrews 11 catalogues many such people. Their behavior should encourage us to reject fear and embrace faith.

Christians should never fear the past. 

Who can make an accusation against a faithful Christian? Certainly we all have things in our pasts that trouble us. Most humans live long enough to regret their pasts to some degree. The good news is that our pasts do not have to count against us in the Judgment. What magnificence! If that thought alone does not cause rejoicing then we need to check to see if our hearts are working!

Christians should never fear the future. 

“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5b-6). The worst anyone can do to us is to kill our bodies. They cannot touch our souls!

Christians should never fear the present. 

There are plenty of things to worry about in this life. There are plenty of fears to overcome, but overcome we must! We must make decisions based on the correct outlook--our very lives depend upon the choices we make today! Do not allow yourself to make decisions based on fear. Trust in God. Live your life in faith that is developed and maintained through the Bible and you cannot lose. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

photo courtesy of dctourism under noncommercial license: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wctc/81526409/sizes/z/in/photostream/