Do you remember the wild speculations and fears that circulated
before the ushering in of the 21st century? Seven years ago, many of
our friends and acquaintances fell for all the hype and tried to get
us to join in the unfounded frenzy. Several of these Christians
belonged to the same food co-op as we did; they couldn’t understand
why we were not buying the special plastic pails for hoarding food as
they were. They couldn’t understand why we refused to fall for all the
scare tactics of their pastors and televangelists, even though we
explained to them why it was impossible for such a disaster to occur
and that fear is the opposite of love and their faith in God.
I remember “surfing the TV channels” the summer before the year 2000
and happening to hear a very prominent, wealthy TV evangelist urgently
advising his followers on what to do to protect themselves and their
families. Storing food was one of the actions on his list. This same man
had years earlier predicted that a devastating famine would hit our
country and had urged the same tactics. Of course this earlier dire
“prophecy” had never materialized, either; but his faithful sheep kept
right on following their false prophet.
It’s interesting how uncritical these followers are of their
shameless leaders who cost them a bundle: families who least could
afford it spent thousands of dollars needlessly for precautions to
protect against catastrophes that never materialized. Yet they never
fail to join in criticizing those who try to tell them the truth.
The following scripture passages came to mind while I was writing
this Blog:
1 John 4:18
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because
fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in
love.
~ New American Standard Bible
2 Timothy 1:7
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity – of cowardice, of craven
and cringing and fawning fear – but [He has given us a spirit] of power
and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and
self-control.
~ The Amplified Bible
In Luke 6:26 Jesus says:
26. “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way
their fathers used to treat the false prophets.”
~ New American Standard Bible
Isaiah 59:15
15 Yes, truth is lacking;
And he who turns aside from evil makes himself a prey.
~ New American Standard Bible
