Fear of Anything But God Is Sin

Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.” But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!” I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me. [Nehemiah 6.10-13]

The characters Tobiah and Sanballat were certainly some crusty individuals. They kept trying to intimidate Nehemiah.

What is interesting is that Nehemiah is not at all unclear in stating that yielding to their intimidation would have been sin.

Yielding to the things that attempt to intimidate us to fear is sin. Fear of anything but God is sin.

Wow.

Father, forgive me for giving outside forces any sway in my life. Forgive me for taking my eyes off You and therefore allowing myself to be intimidated by the noise of enemies.