Fear: To Be a Slave

“...‘We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.’”

Jeremiah 30:5

“Fear” is spoken of over 500 times in the Bible. So, to me, that signifies it’s a topic worth noting.

I believe the 1980’s science fiction film, “Bladerunner” makes a powerful statement on fear.

There are various discussions about the story and the complexity of the Roy Batty character in particular. He’s often viewed as the villain. But, if we dig deeper, perhaps there’s more to the story.

Batty is a kind of futuristic robot who has an expiration date of four years. This tactic is implemented to ensure that, in the event a robot develops troublesome feelings, emotions and agendas, humanity is safeguarded by the possible destruction the robot could cause.

However, Roy Batty has apparently experienced these turbulent human emotions firsthand; hence, he is viewed as that much-feared threat to human beings.

Therefore, the “bladerunner,” a robot killer for hire, is assigned the task of destroying him before it’s too late.

And, after Batty’s rampage and search for knowledge about his existence, he eventually shares his observation on fear.

“Quite an experience to live in fear, isn’t it? That’s what it’s like to be a slave.”

Scripture immediately sprung to my mind at this point in the film...

“... fear hath torment...”

1 John 4:18

I may be alone in my compassion for Roy. But I do not see him as the inherently malevolent villain. Rather, much like Frankenstein’s monster, I see the scared and sad creation of an ego-driven individual whose arrogance authored this destruction.

Fear is a painful and disorienting plague often testing every human being. No one escapes it; no one is left untouched by it.

“Men's hearts failing them for fear...”

Luke 21:26

Scripture, indeed, cautions us on its trap...

“The fear of man bringeth a snare...”

Proverbs 29:25

But Proverbs 29:25 goes on to offer us some hope, even in the midst of its warning...

“... but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.”

Proverbs 29:25

“The Great I Am,” indeed, is our Source to everything we need, desire and yearn for. Freedom is essential to those Divine gifts.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:18-19

However, the challenge arises when many of our lives, in one way or another, have experienced some version of enslavement. Struggles with abuse, addiction, neglect and loss have taught us to be afraid. Yes, we learned how to fear. Life somehow broke our hearts and created our reached conclusions:

“I’m not lovable.”

I’m not wanted.”

“I’m not enough.”

“I’m not safe.”

These conclusions enslave us. They have us looking at our past, present and future with doubt and dread. If we’re not careful, we can come to the point where we believe life is not worth living. Suicidal mindsets flourish because, we may believe death is a welcomed alternative to our enslaved circumstances.

Even Divine Intervention can appear to be too oppressive, disappointing and pointless. We can reach a decision: it’s hopeless.

Yet, it is here where we need to discern the spirits (1 John 4:1). It’s important we recognize the spirit of enslavement comes not from the Most High God. It we experience hopelessness, dread and despair, it comes from a place of evil.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:7

The Most High desires our freedom even more than we do.

 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

Romans 8:15

We need to tap into that. And, even if we are in the middle of any kind of oppression or bondage, the Almighty has that covered as well.

“And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve.”

Isaiah14:3

Roy Batty’s perspective is echoed in the many young people I encounter. They come from lives filled with disorder, abuse and addiction.

I hear their voices tell me “I’m trapped and I’m scared.”

Fear is something each of us faces in life. It does not signify weakness, failure, illegitimacy, un-lovability or disqualification.

Experiencing fear means we are human.

And, as those human beings, you and I are spoken to directly WHEN, NOT IF, we fear...

“Say to them that are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with reparations; he will come and save you.’”

Isaiah 35:4

There is hope; there is freedom!

Our Creator, indeed, created you to experience this freedom; you are, in no way, to be a slave.

Dare to believe that and experience the liberation the Divine wants you to live!

Copyright © 2019 by Sheryle Cruse