When Fear Masquerades as Wisdom

In our journey of faith, discerning between the voice of God and our own fears can be challenging. Fear often disguises itself in ways that can be mistaken for divine guidance, leading us to question our decisions and actions. Understanding how fear operates and recognizing its influence can help us stay aligned with God’s will. This post is adapted from content in "Listen Up! Hearing God at Work" (release date: mid September, 2024).

1. Straight-Up Fear

Fear is a powerful emotion that can paralyze us and prevent us from stepping into the opportunities God places before us. When we react out of fear, we often make decisions that are not in line with God’s best for us. For example:

• Avoiding Opportunity: We might overreact to a situation, avoiding opportunities out of fear of failure or fear of being seen as incompetent. This is often rooted in the fear of man – worrying about how others perceive us. When we start to question, "Am I really hearing God?" it's essential to pause and reflect on whether fear is driving our decisions.

• Fear of Adverse Effects: Sometimes, we might fear that a situation will negatively impact us or our loved ones. In response, we may take the opposite action without seeking God’s guidance. Instead of asking, “God, what would you have me do in this situation?” we let fear dictate our path, potentially missing out on His perfect plan.

2. Fear Masquerading as the Voice of Wisdom

Fear can also disguise itself as wisdom, leading us to believe we are making prudent choices when, in fact, we are being driven by anxiety.

• Overreaction: When we overreact to a situation or avoid something challenging, we might justify it as being wise or cautious. However, this overreaction is often a cover for underlying fears. Recognizing this can help us differentiate between genuine wisdom and fear-based decisions.

• Offense and Unforgiveness: Offense at a situation or leader can cloud our ability to hear from God. Jesus warned that offenses will come, but if we hold onto them and do not forgive, they create a barrier between us and God’s voice. An unforgiving heart can stop us from hearing God clearly, as bitterness and resentment take root.

How to Discern the Difference

To discern whether it’s God speaking or your fear talking, consider the following steps:

1. Seek God’s Peace: God’s voice often comes with a sense of peace, even in challenging situations. If your decision is accompanied by anxiety and unrest, it might be fear talking.

2. Consistently immerse yourself in Scripture: God’s guidance will never contradict His Word. Measure your thoughts and decisions against the truth of the Bible. Reading scripture daily and allowing it to shape your life is key.

3. Pray and Listen: Spend time in prayer, not just talking to God but also listening. Ask for His wisdom and clarity in the situation. Ask, "Father God, what do you want me to know in regard to what is influencing my decisions?" "Am I listening to fear?"

4. Seek Godly Counsel: Sometimes, it helps to seek advice from mature believers who can provide a balanced perspective and help you see beyond your fears. Even a conversation will help as you voice what is going on and lay out what you think. Hearing that out loud yourself and having someone ask you questions, helps reveal what we truly believe.

5. Reflect on Past Experiences: Consider past instances where you sensed God’s guidance. How did it differ from times when fear led your decisions?

By staying attuned to God’s voice and being mindful of the ways fear can masquerade as wisdom, we can make decisions that align with His will and purpose for our lives. Remember, God desires to lead us into fullness and freedom, not into the bondage of fear.

Next Steps:

1. Upgrade your clarify in hearing God's voice and your confidence integrating divine guidance into your workplace: access our 30-day guide to hearing God at work and grab a specially priced, early release, signed copy of Listen Up! Hearing God at Work: HeaveninBusiness.com/HG30.

2. Don't want the guide? Grab a pre-release, signed copy of the book here.