2 Corinthians 7:5 (KJV)
For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
While the Bible promises that perfect love casteth out fear (1 John 4:18), fightings still cause fears. It would be impractical, unfair, and frankly unscriptural to imply that a proper love for Christ would make a person fearless. It’s just not true. Fightings without cause fears within.
Fightings
Barnes writes, “Probably he here refers to fierce opposition, which he met with in prosecuting his work of preaching the gospel. He met there, as he did everywhere, with opposition from Pagans, Jews, and false brethren. Tumults were usually excited wherever he went; and he preached the gospel commonly amidst violent opposition.”
Fighting means preaching, disputing, contending with false preachers.
Gill writes, “Conversation in this life is a warfare.” Not merely the words we speak, but a life lived in obedience to the Word of God is a warfare. The world, the flesh, and the devil fight hard to prevent us from it.
Fears
Gill writes, “Fears, lest any should be discouraged by the violence of persecutions, or be drawn aside by the doctrines of the false apostles.”
Fears—for life, for safety, for success and victory, certainly. But also fears for the glory of God, the growth of the churches, and the good of the believers.
A soldier in combat fears for his life but also for the lives of his fellow soldiers, often risking his life for them. He fears the consequences if they should be unsuccessful. What would happen to those at home if the enemy should win?
So it is in the spiritual realm. We fear for the souls of our loved ones and neighbors. We fear for the generations to follow us should the gospel be lost to false doctrine. We fear that churches—like those we've been so blessed to be part of—might no longer be found. We fear that the Bible, so attacked through the centuries, might be translated out of existence by modern scholarship.
Fighting does cause fears. Let’s not pretend otherwise.
But the good soldier, for love of those he holds dear, stays in the fight.
#FightingsAndFears #StayInTheFight #SpiritualWarfare #LoveDrivesCourage #BiblicalRealism
The Soldier’s Reality: Love, War, and Fear: Staying faithful to Christ Means Facing both External Conflict and Internal Concern
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s battles?
You're not alone—Paul faced fear too. The truth is, real love for Christ doesn’t erase fear, it fuels faith to fight through it.
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