Matt 10:27 “What I say to you in the dark, tell *~ in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim*~ from the housetops.”
Fear is a paralyzing emotion impeding development in every area of life. Proverbs warns, “The fear of man brings a snare”(Prov 29:25).
Many Christians live privately, allowing only a few people to know them well, and their fear of criticism, rejection, or ridicule keeps them from boldly telling others about the most important relationship in their lives.
When Christ comes into our lives, all our ideas about what is essential to be happy are challenged and put at risk. Most people believe they deeply need to be accepted and approved by other people.
Our mind–set must be challenged and reset to biblical values, and we make these changes by the thoughts we repeat in our minds. This can be an agonizing experience, but it is unavoidable if we want to follow Jesus and be His disciples.
Our life on earth is but a moment. When we come to know the God of heaven through Jesus Christ, He begins to prepare us for an eternity with Him. We must choose to build a future with Christ in His kingdom, not to build our own private kingdom. John wrote, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn 2:15).
Our fears are dispelled when we know we are defended and exonerated by God. The wickedness of the world will be exposed, and our commitment to His word will be praised: “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed” (Matt 10:26). Jesus “will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s heart; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God” (1 Cor 4:5).
If we believe this and value His praise more than our lives, we will have an increasing motivation for serving the Lord and fearlessly confront our world with His truth.
We must openly and unashamedly tell to everyone we can about what God has taught us in private (“What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light”). This is contrary to contemporary views of political correctness that tell us to avoid controversy at any cost for fear of offending someone. How bold is your witness today?
“Dear Father, when it counts most, please give me the boldness to speak to others what You have taught me.”