Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. Rom 13.2-4
Those who have suffered cruelty, trauma, and abuse at the hands of authority figures often justify their fear of authority, of punishment, of rejection, and of abuse. Unfortunately, fears not always certain to protect from further abuse, especially if eliciting a mindset of resisting authority. In fact, underlying rebellion may be the cause of the abuse—and subsequent ‘fear’. A submissive attitude to authority—be it parents, a husband, an employer (or supervisor), or government officials (e.g., teacher, police officer)—goes a long way to abating certain fears. More so than we think. (See text above.)
Now, those fearful because of serious abuse will find what I have written hard to accept. Even if the mistreatment was not cruel but hurtful enough to make them ‘gun shy’, they too may reject it. Both believe the violation of their dignity and rights (e.g., privacy, respect, safety) exempts them from changing their stance towards authorities. Not a few even claim their ‘fear’ is a valid defense mechanism, a loyal bodyguard indispensable for their ongoing safety. However, this supposed protection is usually minimal and a poor substitute for what heaven offers. In saving Israel from their cruel Egyptian ‘task masters’, God proved to be the ultimate ‘Deliverer’ of those suffering abuse. And if you need further assurance God can deal with an authority, then, there is this, ‘The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes’ (Prov 21.1).
Of course, many will claim this has not proven true in their situation. But divine rescue from an abusive authority is often not to our timetable, nor the justice we demand be meted out. But this does not negate the general promise of heaven mounting a rescue in the time frame God sees fit. (See Ps 37.40, 41.2) In fact, for heaven to rescue from a difficult situation, even a dire one, is counterproductive if the divine purpose for it has not been realized. Besides, the ‘trials of faith’ heaven allows often have the hidden agenda of working in us character traits not gained any other way. Traits such as endurance, humility, trust, mercy, and forgiveness. Until these divine purposes are achieved, deliverance from a ‘furnace of affliction’ could well be delayed. Then again, trials are often the only way heaven exposes ‘garbage’ within the heart. I once heard a minister testify how the Lord told him the reason for the three traffic tickets unreasonably issued to him within a brief space of time for the most minor of infractions was to expose the rebellion in his heart.
Then again, heaven could be waiting for us to become thoroughly dissatisfied with the situation, and is one reason Israel was only delivered from its Egyptian oppressors after suffering many years of abuse. Heaven was waiting for them to become willing and eager to leave; far more so than remain satisfied with the ‘status quo’. One further point: too many suffering from abuse have not sought the Lord for deliverance. That is, seriously cried out to ask specifically for God’s intervention and not to complain.
Now, serious rebellion comes with a number of adverse outcomes—all divine judgments—and one of these is ‘fear’ as the following texts show (See also Deut 28). 'If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them …I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none will make you afraid; I will rid the land of evil beasts, and the sword will NOT go through your land.’ (Lev. 26:3-6) 'And after all this, if you do NOT obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.’ (Lev 26.27-28) 'And as for those of you who are left, I will send faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; the sound of a shaken leaf shall cause them to flee; they shall flee as though fleeing from a sword, and they shall fall when no one pursues.’ (Lev 26.36)
This connection with judgment might not be so obvious where the rebellion is covert; for example, contact with an authority is avoided to sidestep their governance, or the refusal to cooperate with a directive is hidden, or it could only be an ultra-cautiousness about relating to an authority. Yet, none of this is helpful in the long run as it is still rebellion even if the consequences are less severe, e.g. resistance to an authority in the workplace jeopardizes employment status because of disharmony it causes with work colleagues. But whether the consequences are big or small, the inevitable outcome is ‘fear’, particularly the fear of punishment (human and divine).
If you struggle with these issues, start by asking the Lord for the faith to trust Him. It may not be possible to trust a certain authority again, but as the highest authority, God can be trusted. And with extra faith from above, you will at least be more relaxed if the mistreatment (not abuse) continues, confident in the knowledge the ‘judge of all the earth’ will eventually defend your rights. In overcoming the fear of authority, there are some further steps you can follow.
No matter if the rebellion is because of abuse or even from an unrelated incident, e.g., you took offense at finding out an authority was corrupt, the first is to admit to the lack of submission and ask forgiveness. A believer’s conscience should always register rebellion as sin, and if true, it means you have the choice to either ignore this witness within or be brave and turn from this ungodly attitude. Not sure if this applies? Then, ask the Lord to search your heart to ‘see if there be (in you) any wicked way’ (Ps 139.23,24); if sincerely prayed, the Holy Spirit can expose what you may not have recognized was rebellion over many years. Even if the insubordination is only to one authority, the mindset feeding this needs to be exposed and dealt with. Give the Lord free rein, then, to uncover every vestige, and don’t flinch from the truth when it is.
This step of confession can be difficult, but the next one, learning to submit anew, is even more so. Especially with an ‘unjust pharaoh' and the new attitude of submission is not only for outward show but stems from the heart. (See Col 3.22) Incidentally, heaven will often prescribe a ‘harsh taskmaster’ to speed up the process of inner transformation. The bottom line: even if the situation continues and sorely tests your faith and patience, hang on to God, trusting He can protect you in the end.
Some final thoughts. First, some will need to resort to the legal system after suffering serious or continued abuse. But it should be a last resort, taken only after the Lord is given sufficient time to intervene. And with the deep hurt and the associated trauma from serious abuse, wounds within the soul will need healing. If not dealt with, overcoming issues of mistrust becomes almost impossible. If this applies, seek those who can pray for God’s power to bring healing to the scars. Second, just because an authority treats you disrespectfully or in some other way not to your liking is no excuse for a poor attitude. To demand an authority is never arrogant or unjust in their interactions is unreasonable, so learn to live with the uncomfortable and galling or anything else you don’t like. Authorities are to be obeyed because of their position, not because of their personality or winsome style of management. Third, when fully obedient to the Lord and any authority, other fears often go as well. I remember once asking an old man about to have major surgery if he was afraid, and he answered, ‘Why should I be afraid, I fear God’.
PostScript: a general disrespect for authority among fellow citizens does not justify a wrong attitude in this matter. A trap especially for those living in a culture with a heritage of distaste for authority such as where I live, in Australia. With its convict heritage, it is clear many citizens see resistance to authority as ‘no big deal’. But to think like this is to deceive ourselves. Look to the Holy Spirit, then, for the grace to repent and the desire to obey. You will eventually have a stronger, sounder mind.
‘Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’ (John 8.32) The truth really does ‘set free’ and this includes freeing the mind of ‘fear’. Many can testify of new freedom after embracing honesty and truth. In fact, the amount of ‘fear’ rooted in falsehood (lies, error, and misconceptions) is surprising, proving a love for the truth and a hatred of lies is mandatory for a sound mind. Indeed, no one escapes a degree of anxiety after subscribing (often unintentionally) to a falsehood, (e.g. the Y2bug would wipe out all computers), a misunderstanding, incorrect reasoning, or a touch of paranoia. Only after discovering ‘the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth’ does the ‘fear’ dissipate.
But merely knowing the truth doesn’t necessarily resolve the ‘fear’, especially with gross deception; because of the implications, many are unable to embrace it. An outcome particularly evident with a member of a religious cult strenuously holding onto a false doctrine or when a clever charlatan has duped someone. Some, of course, cling to a falsehood because of self-deception, e.g. the symptoms mean a serious disease, a person hates them, or some other figment of their imagination (sometimes from paranoia). Of course, the ‘father of lies’ (the devil) is behind much of this; deception is a major weapon for him to introduce dysfunction into a life. And with such a powerful tool at his disposal, seeking to escape the lies will meet with strong resistance. Evil doesn’t quickly give up what can imprison to a life of ‘fear’.
The other roadblock to freedom from deception is when some find it easier and more advantageous to live in denial. Let’s face it, the truth (all of it) can be scary, even demoralizing, and hurtful. That more than a few find the challenge of facing reality too difficult is understandable. But while denial may offer a solution in the short term, it is never the right choice in the long run.
Yet, if those with ‘fear’ rooted in falsehood are to ever have an answer for it they must see the ‘mirage’ for what it is. This often requires the breaking of a demonic stronghold of lies within the mind. But this will not be successful unless there is in place the foundation of a genuine, whole-hearted ‘love for the truth’. It must be seen as the only option. Importantly, not merely a thirst to acquire knowledge, but a quest that has more to do with a commitment to total accuracy with the truth. A level of honesty willing to reject any interpretations or opinions playing loose with the facts, and hates with a passion all lies, falsehood, dishonesty, deception, fraud—insincerity of any degree, wherever it is found. Absent this conviction and the fearful are ‘behind the eight-ball’.
Unfortunately, truth has now become a relative concept for society at large; what is true for one person is not necessarily true for another. Many cannot even grasp the fact their views and beliefs may not be equal to those holding the opposite. Now, while this understanding of ‘truth’ is valid in describing the differing extremities of an ‘elephant’, to believe absolute truth doesn’t exist is nonsense. For the ‘postmodern’ person, it can be especially difficult to embrace this ‘love for the truth’. Too many (both godly and ungodly) are also now willing to misrepresent the facts with ‘spin’ so it is not the ‘whole truth’ they proffer. Others might not ‘fudge’ it or tell ‘little white lies’ but allow others to do this if it satisfies their ego or makes someone else look bad. Those afraid of the truth, will probably only swallow what ‘tickles their ears’. But playing fast and loose with the truth like this has a far more serious downside than just making us gullible. According to the apostle Paul, to ‘believe a lie’ in the final days of this age will be a serious hazard. Those rejecting his warning (godly and ungodly), sadly, will be deceived by lying ‘signs, wonders, and miracles’. (See 2Thes 2)
In handling the truth, believers are called to have higher standards than what is in vogue. Those worshipping the true God must see truth as sacrosanct; this means they take extra care to establish the facts (truth) before trying to interpret them or attempting to communicate what they convey. Turning a blind eye to what is inaccurate, distorted, biased, or misrepresented is reprehensible in the sight of God. Yes, a child of God must refuse to entertain what they know is not the truth.
‘Be doers of the word…not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.’ (Jam 1.22) But ‘loving the truth’ is more than merely valuing it; it must result in obedience, and this is the issue for many, the real test of their commitment to truth. To profess to love the truth and yet ignore its claims is to betray what we say, and makes us a hypocrite in danger of being deceived. Not valuing the truth means we soon believe a lie. Now, believers often excuse themselves from ‘loving the truth’—all of it—by claiming some demands in Scripture only apply to those in leadership. If referring to the general demands of the gospel, they are wrong; these are the same for everyone, particularly the central demand to believe and obey the truths of Scripture.
I trust you realize some fears only go when denied the garbage feeding them. Fellow believer, it means you will probably need to ‘delete’ unverified imaginations, speculations, fanciful conspiracy theories, and even bizarre interpretations of Scripture subscribed to. This includes refusing to entertain unsubstantiated gossip (even though enticing) or any other ‘scuttlebutt’. Yes, cancel any ‘subscriptions’ you have to tittle-tattle or anything else of wild conjecture. You have no other option if you desire to obey what Christ has called us to do—to ‘walk in the truth’ (3John 3).
Some may find the answers given so far for ‘fear’ rooted in lies and deception are not enough. Freedom eludes because they refuse to accept reality—they live in denial. But no matter how painful the reality, freedom will continue to elude unless this blockage is resolved. Taking ‘refuge in lies’ can seem an attractive defense mechanism, but it is an extremely foolish one. Too many even live in denial of who they are—unable to face their real self and its defective temperament, limited abilities, or idiosyncrasies. A trap especially for the proud soul afraid the truth might endanger their ego. Unfortunately, such denial does the opposite, both for their self-worth and ‘fear’.
Most believers are wise enough not to swallow the lies the world peddles, yet can stubbornly refuse to accept the ‘inconvenient’ truths of Scripture. Not necessarily a rejection of the fundamentals of the faith but willfully ignoring the ‘hard sayings’ of Christ or truths ‘difficult to swallow’. Often it is a refusal to accept what the Bible says on forsaking certain sins, forgiving when hurt or offended, paying debts, obeying the laws of the land (including taxes), or other ethical and moral standards posing a challenge. Most try to rationalize and justify their noncompliance, but to reject the inerrant authority (the Bible) with its truth about God, His judgment, the commandments of Jesus, and the warnings of the ‘wrath to come’ is more than dangerous. The truths in Scripture are not a ‘smorgasbord we can choose from as to what to believe and obey. Besides, living with what is not the whole truth always invites more ‘fear’.
Finally, a word of caution: to fully embrace the truth also means giving up attempting to deceive others. Not only is it wrong, but we reap what we sow, it invites others to deceive us. Few believers intentionally seek to deceive (they know it is sin) but even to exaggerate in telling an anecdote, for example, is to mislead and is not ‘loving the truth’! And if an occasion arises where we are not at liberty to tell the truth (it occasionally happens), we are not to say anything.
So again, ask God to show where you may be deceived or have deceived others, and if guilty, repent of any deviation from absolute truth. You have no other option when God ‘desires truth in the inward parts’ (Ps 51.6). Your willingness to repent of a lack of a ‘love for the truth’ will ensure new soundness of mind and greater freedom from fear. You will never regret choosing God’s way, the pathway of ‘walking in the truth’. (2John 4)