We live in a world where some fears are reasonable.

There are dangerous people.

Dangerous situations.

Spiritual dangers.

And Scripture certainly does not tell us to ignore genuine threats or behave foolishly.

But Proverbs 28.1 describes another kind of fear:

“The wicked flee when no one pursues.”

What happens when there is no real pursuer?

No immediate threat?

No one actually chasing us?

Could fear sometimes be pointing to something else?

Perhaps guilt.

An accusing conscience.

A refusal to deal with sin.

Or a heart that has become increasingly suspicious, fearful, and unsettled because we have resisted what God is showing us.

That was part of Saul’s story.

He became consumed with fear and suspicion toward David. But David was not ultimately the source of Saul’s problem.

Saul had rejected God’s Word.

And instead of responding with repentance, his fear eventually fed jealousy, anger, and growing paranoia.

So could some forms of guilt and anxiety function like an early warning system—something that should drive us toward God before we harden our hearts further?

At the same time, we need to be careful.

Not every struggle with anxiety or paranoia is the result of personal sin. Physical illness and other factors can also contribute.

But when fear becomes excessive, persistent, or irrational, Scripture gives us good reason to examine more than our circumstances.

We may also need to examine our hearts.

Today we’ll look at the difference between reasonable caution and sinful fear, how conscience can accuse or excuse us, what Saul’s downward spiral can teach us, and what to do when anxiety begins to control our thinking.

We’ll also look at God’s faithfulness in hard times, the importance of doing what is morally right rather than merely what seems advantageous, and what Scripture says about authority and contentment.

Welcome to “God’s Word Day by Day,” where I blog through the Bible in a Year. I hope you’ll join me every day. If you’re not already signed up, you can do it here or subscribe and watch on YouTube.

Today’s Readings:

Jeremiah 39 & 40
Psalm 119.81-88
Proverbs 28.1
1 Timothy 6.1-21

Could Anxiety Be Warning You About Something Deeper?

Proverbs 28.1:

Dangers

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

Think about that verse for a minute. Certainly, there are things in life that can be dangerous. That’s why we should follow sound advice concerning our safety and that of others (Prov. 27.12). We understand there are evil people out there. And we realize some of them are willing to take what others have and may well be willing to hurt someone in the process.

There are spiritual dangers, too. Scripture teaches that bad company corrupts good morals (1 Cor. 15.33). And we’re taught to recognize and avoid false teachers (2 Pet. 2).

There is also danger coming from our own sinful nature. It’s one reason why we need one another. It’s much easier to see sinful patterns and situations in someone else’s life and be blinded to our own.

And false teachers and people adept at manipulation know how to use our sinful nature to draw us away from godly living. 2 Peter 2 says:

¹⁸ For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. ¹⁹ While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

But the greatest spiritual danger probably comes from our own hearts.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (Jas. 1.14-15).

So, while there are genuine dangers in our fallen world and only a fool ignores them (Prov. 22.3), could there be times when fear is unreasonable, even sinful?

Paranoia – When No One Pursues

Look at the first part of today’s verse again, “The wicked flee when no one pursues.” This is what the world calls “paranoia.”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines paranoia as “a tendency on the part of an individual or group toward excessive or irrational suspiciousness and distrustfulness of others.”

Look at those two adjectives, excessive and irrational, or as Proverbs 28.1 says, “when no one pursues.”

While there are some physical diseases that can cause symptoms of paranoia, much of what we call paranoia arises from the heart.

Saul became convinced that David was out to get him and steal the kingdom from him (1 Sam. 18.6-9). In reality, it was God who had said He would put an end to Saul’s kingship because of his disobedience (1 Sam. 15.10-29). Look at verse 26 of that passage:

But Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”

Years of what must have been great fear and worry over when and how that would happen and guilt over his sin should have caused him to repent and turn back to God. Instead, he became angry, jealous, and increasingly paranoid.

God’s Early Warning System

God gave each of us a conscience. Romans 2.14-15:

14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them.

When we violate our consciences, we’ll experience guilt, anxiety, and, at times, even paranoia. Not all guilt and anxiety are bad. Sometimes they’re God’s early warning system to keep us from hardening our hearts and doing things that can harm us or others.

But when we refuse to heed the warning behind those unpleasant emotions, they can morph into paranoia and a continued downward spiral of sin (Rom. 1.18-32) as in Saul’s case.

Again, I’m not saying that all paranoia has its root in sin. There are diseases of the brain that can cause it, as well. But, in many cases, it’s a spiritual issue.

What Should We Do?

So, what should we do if we’re experiencing extreme levels of anxiety, even paranoia?

First, we should examine our own hearts and lives for unconfessed sin. Have we failed to take responsibility for something? Have we stubbornly refused to go God’s way in some area?

Are we neglecting time in God’s Word (Ps. 1.1-3)? Have we failed to pray (Phil. 4.6-7)? Are we thinking more about the problem than about God’s promises to us (Matt. 6.25-34; Phil 4.8)? Are we failing to trust God in some area (Prov. 3.5-6)?

If the answer is “yes” to any of those questions, run to God. Sincerely ask for His help and forgiveness. Then do what it takes to live His way.

If you continue to struggle, get help. Go to a pastor or biblical counselor. My husband are both trained biblical counselors with 25 plus years of experience. We can counsel in person, by Zoom, or Facetime. You can contact us at: crossroadsbiblicalcounseling@yahoo.com. or you can find a counselor in your area here.

You might also check out a little book by Stuart Scott entitled, Anger, Anxiety & Fear: A Biblical Perspective. It might be just the help you need for yourself or someone you know.

Today’s Other Readings:

Jeremiah 39 & 40:

God’s Faithfulness in Hard Times

When the city of Jerusalem was defeated by Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar gave orders that Jeremiah was not just to be spared, but to be given a ration and told he was free to go anywhere he wanted to go.

What a sweet testimony to the faithfulness of God!

We get so concerned about how the economy or some political change will affect us. Instead of standing firm for truth in the face of adversity and evil, we may compromise, worry, or put our trust in other gods, like the government, to save us. Instead of voting for candidates who are morally right, we may be tempted to vote our pocketbooks (who promises me the most?). Some may lie to get unemployment benefits. Or we may compromise our values in the workplace, the classroom, and the marketplace thinking we must protect ourselves from lack or loss.

Instead, may God help us to remember what Jesus said:

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matt. 6.33).

Psalm 119.81-88:

Help Me, Lord, to Stay Faithful!

In today’s reading from Psalms, the writer, though discouraged by trials and persecutions, held on to the truths of Scripture. In his discouragement, he cried out to God for help, not merely for his own comfort, but so he might continue to bring glory to God.

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth (v. 88).

1 Timothy 6.1-21:

A Biblical View of Authority

Chapter 6.1-2 in the NASB says:

All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.

Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.

God places a great deal of importance on respect for authority, whether in the marriage relationship (Eph. 5.22-24, 33; 1 Pet. 3.1-6), in the parent-child relationship (Eph. 6.1-3), in the church (Heb. 13.17), in civil society (Rom. 13.1-7), or wherever it is found.

… for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Rom. 13.1).

But He also emphasizes the importance of using authority in a respectful, godly way:

…do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Eph. 6.4).

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him (Eph. 6.9).

Husbands, love your wives as Christ also loved the church … (Eph. 5.25).

Paul told the Corinthians to be content in whatever circumstance they found themselves (1 Cor. 7.17-24). So whether in marriage, in singleness, as a child under parental authority, as a citizen under their government in the civil realm, in the church, or even as a slave, as long as we are not being asked to sin, we are to honor, obey and do all things as unto the Lord.

Your Thoughts:

How has God spoken to you today? Perhaps you saw a passage in a new light or an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a promise to hold on to? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Coming Up:

In the next few days, we’ll talk about God’s umbrella of protection, principles for good Bible study, ways to make a difference in someone’s life, and more.

I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out the latest videos on our YouTube channel.

And if this post spoke to you, consider sharing it on your favorite social media platform.

Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥

Note about this post:

I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years.

A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”

I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)