The "Eighth Deadly Sin" Revisited

A few weeks ago, I mentioned in this Leader’s Insight that I wanted to hear about “The Eighth Deadly Sin.” Since the next issue of Leadership journal focuses on the theme of deadly sins of ministry, I thought it would be fascinating (as well as fun) to invite you, the 22,000 readers of Leadership Weekly, to nominate a contemporary temptation that would rank alongside the classic snares of Envy, Anger, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, and Pride.

Did you ever come through! We received scores of thoughtful nominations. And many of them will be included in Leadership. I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing what’s coming out in Leadership next month, but I do want to make my own nomination.

The Eighth Deadly Sin, at least from where I sit, is Fear.

I never considered fear a sin until I started noticing how often in the Bible we’re commanded NOT to fear. Consider Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Of course, the Bible commands us TO FEAR in certain specific ways. To fear God. “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” (Matt. 10:28). Anyone else isn’t worthy of our fear.

Did you know there are more than 100 such specific instances where God in the Old Testament, Jesus in the New, or one of the prophets or apostles specifically says, “Do not fear” or “Be not afraid.” As such, fear is addressed a lot more frequently than, say, lust or pride. Apparently overcoming our fears is a large part of spiritual maturity.

At the recent National Pastors Convention that Leadership helped to sponsor, John Ortberg preached about Peter overcoming his fears to accept Jesus’ invitation to come to him as he walked on the water. In Ortberg’s words, “If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.”

Ortberg told a memorable story about a pastor who needed to confront an individual who was causing conflict in the church. But the pastor confided to his wife that he was afraid to speak to the troublemaker because “every time I think about this person, I get sweaty palms, and every time I have to confront someone, my mouth goes dry.”

His wife’s pithy response: “Why don’t you lick your palms?”

Fear may make frequent appearances in your life and mine. But given more than 100 commands in Scripture not to give in to it, and given the wisdom of the pastor’s wife in Ortberg’s story, the next time you’re tempted to avoid following God’s direction because you’re scared, determine to live by faith and not by fear.

Even if you have to lick your palms.

Marshall Shelley is editor of Leadership journal. To reply, write Newsletter@LeadershipJournal.net.