Motivated By Love Or Driven By Fear?
Motivated By Love Or Driven By Fear?
Series: Reset
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love…Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 1 John 4:16,18
How much of your thinking and behavior is driven by fear?
A world-famous musician once said, “There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love.”[1] When we’re fear-driven, we’ll do whatever we can to avoid punishment. We’re constantly chased forward by whatever it is we’re afraid of. Perhaps it’s fear of letting someone down or fear of failure.
A young man who had escaped life in a cult describes how guilt, shame, and worthlessness haunted him for years afterward. Speaking of the cult’s tactics, he said they “are manipulative, cruel, and intended to instill hate and fear into their followers. The organization leaves no room for personal opinions, no room for disagreement, and no room for the bonds of friendship/family with those who leave or disagree with their teachings and practices.”[2]
If you see similar fear tactics in your family, community, or even in your own leadership, consider that God calls us to a love that breaks the power of fear. The Bible says, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love…Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love” (I John 4:16,18).
There is freedom from the bondage to fear. When we experience and accept God’s love, we come to understand that He would never use fear to manipulate, control, or isolate us. God isn’t interested in punishing us; that’s why Jesus took all the punishment we each deserved. Nor does God withdraw His love when we stumble or stop being patient when we struggle. He offers you His unconditional, personal love that can empower you to leave fear behind.
[1] Lennon, John Winston Ono. “Fear and love.” Osho News, 30 Sept. 2020, https://www.oshonews.com/2020/09/30/fear-and-love/.
[2] Karvountzis, Christopher. “How Cults Use Fear To Control You.” Christopher Karvountzis, 3 Nov. 2024, www.example.com/how-cults-use-fear-to-control-you.