The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!
So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Inflicting fear is an evil means to control people. The part that is shared is the fear. One threatens and the other believes the threat. In a world without God this can be an oppressive and cowering way to live.

However, when we hold God in reverence and awe, we fear him. And with that respect and acknowledgement of his authority, we join in a love relationship with him. We trust and believe in him and his promises.

God tells us in his Word, the Bible, that if we follow him and serve him faithfully, we will join him in heaven. So this allows us to see a future eternity with God as the ultimate trump to our present circumstance.

Committed and devoted Christ-followers do not need to fear evil or oppressive forces like demonic influence or even the Devil. This is because God’s love is in our hearts. “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love].” (‭‭I John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

So when we draw close to God and live in his love, fear is driven out of our hearts and minds. Instead of trying not to be fearful, I should seek to understand and live in and act in the Love of God.

Lord, thank you for your love for me. You see me with all of my flaws, yet you love me anyway. Your love frees me from the entanglements of fear. I want to know your love more fully and reflect your love more brightly today!