What does the Bible say about insecurity?

[missmuffet]

What does the Bible say about insecurity?

https://www.gotquestions.org

ANSWER

To be insecure is to lack confidence or trust, whether in ourselves or someone else. There are many causes of insecurity, but chief among them is our failure to fully trust God (Jeremiah 17:7-8). As believers, we have this assurance: “And those who know Your name put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:10; also see Deuteronomy 31:8; Lamentations 3:57). If we know God is with us, why do we still experience feelings of insecurity, doubts, and fears? Why does God seem so far away?

In Satan’s arsenal, one of his biggest weapons is doubt. Satan loves for us to question who we are and how we measure up to others (Ephesians 2:1-2; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Samuel 16:7). He wants us to feel insecure over the meaning and purpose of our lives, where we’re going, and how we’ll get there.

Another cause of feelings of insecurity is reliance on wealth and possessions instead of God. The world encourages us to strive to be “number one” and promotes the adage “he with the most toys wins.” If we don’t have the latest iPhone, fastest car, biggest house, or largest paycheck, we are failures. Yet the Bible teaches us not to set our hopes on earthly riches but on God: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17, emphasis added; see also Mark 10:23-25; Luke 12:16-21). Riches, being uncertain, will certainly bring insecurity to those who trust in them.

Many times, insecurity takes the form of worry about the future. Jesus was empathic when He said, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow. . . .” (Matthew 6:31-34). Worrisome fears about the future are rooted in a doubt of God’s provision. This breeds strong feelings of insecurity and a lack of peace, resulting in fear and depression. When we doubt God, Satan wins (Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:8).

Insecurity may also result from being preoccupied with the things of the world: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Security is not to be found in this world’s people, things, or institutions, including government institutions. Some people become obsessed with having the right leaders in government, the right laws, and the right policies. When the government is in the wrong hands, they contend, the nation is doomed. However, the Bible teaches us that God is in control and His sovereignty extends to governmental leaders (Proverbs 21:1; Daniel 2:21). While we should practice good citizenship and vote our conscience, we must also recognize that government policy cannot save us. Only God can do that (Isaiah 33:22; Psalm 143:6; Jeremiah 17:5-6).

Others place their trust in their pastor or other church leaders. However, men can and will let us down. Only Christ is the sure foundation. “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic’” (Isaiah 28:16). Jesus is the solid rock and our only hope of security (Matthew 7:24).

Often, the reason for our insecurities is an undue preoccupation with our own selves, an “it’s all about me” mentality. The Bible warns us about self-absorption and pride (Romans 12:3). God’s work will be done “‘not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).

True security comes when you recognize that “God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). When struggling with feelings of insecurity, never forget God’s promise: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3).

Edited July 25, 2022 by missmuffet

[Dennis1209]

Those are some great points I have pondered myself. Some questions I have had pertaining to faith, security, trust, and Eternal Salvation on my part.

The following questions are not playing the Devil’s advocate. They are genuine concerns I think about.

Some have more belief, faith, and trust than others, it does not appear to be distributed equally. Would everyone agree with that thought?

If (a conditional word I have been harping on lately) that statement is true, then it begs the question, how much faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ is required for Eternal Salvation? Complete faith and trust with no doubts ever entering our minds? Just a kernel of faith and trust, is it all we can muster, how much?

I have heard of lifelong Christians, great men of God on their deathbed questioning themselves and having doubts about their Salvation. In a panic, do I have enough belief, am I about to go to Heaven or Hell?

The Bible declares we can know we have eternal security. First, second, and third John gives an eight-question test, among other scripture, which gives us a test to verify if we are saved or not.

Of that eight-question test examining ourselves, what if we can only put six or five check marks next to those eight? Are we still saved, or are we lost?

[missmuffet]

42 minutes ago, Dennis1209 said:

Those are some great points I have pondered myself. Some questions I have had pertaining to faith, security, trust, and Eternal Salvation on my part.

The following questions are not playing the Devil’s advocate. They are genuine concerns I think about.

Some have more belief, faith, and trust than others, it does not appear to be distributed equally. Would everyone agree with that thought?

If (a conditional word I have been harping on lately) that statement is true, then it begs the question, how much faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ is required for Eternal Salvation? Complete faith and trust with no doubts ever entering our minds? Just a kernel of faith and trust, is it all we can muster, how much?

I have heard of lifelong Christians, great men of God on their deathbed questioning themselves and having doubts about their Salvation. In a panic, do I have enough belief, am I about to go to Heaven or Hell?

The Bible declares we can know we have eternal security. First, second, and third John gives an eight-question test, among other scripture, which gives us a test to verify if we are saved or not.

Of that eight-question test examining ourselves, what if we can only put six or five check marks next to those eight? Are we still saved, or are we lost?

Yes, I thought Got Questions brought up some good points. We need to search our heart and examine our true faith in God if we can only put five or six check marks next to the questions. 

[Who me]

12 hours ago, missmuffet said:

the reason for our insecurities is an undue preoccupation with our own selves

It is interesting that the 10 commandments when sumerised are All outward.

We are to Love God.

We are to love others.

These are the priorities in our lives and Spiritual and mental soundness is based on this.

[Ray12614]

16 hours ago, Dennis1209 said:

Some have more belief, faith, and trust than others, it does not appear to be distributed equally. Would everyone agree with that thought?

I have heard of lifelong Christians, great men of God on their deathbed questioning themselves and having doubts about their Salvation. In a panic, do I have enough belief, am I about to go to Heaven or Hell?

 

I believe that we all have been given the 'measure of faith'. WHAT we do with that faith determines how/if it grows and develops or not.

There was an minister who my church had a long time relationship with, who was what I consider an general-in-the-faith, Bobby Walker. He was a genuine lover of Jesus and told this story about his travels: He said that he was waiting at an airport terminal when one elderly man was somewhat fearful about his next plane ride. Bobby said that he tried to help this man by saying that 'as long as I am on this plane it won't crash because I am a Christian and I have faith'. The elderly man told him 'I am glad you have faith young man'. Bobby then started to explain to him the scriptures saying that we have divine protection in Jesus, and that as long as he was on the plane with the elderly man, he would be safe. The elderly man simply said 'I am glad you have faith young man', but was still fidgeting somewhat anxious . . .  As fate would have it, they ended up sitting next to each other on the plane, and as they exchanged information about their lives, Bobby found out that the elderly man was an missionary who had traveled all his life to various countries, was almost killed bringing the good news of Jesus to remote tribes in New Guinea and pacific islands. He found out that this man lived by faith in Jesus sometimes lacking food and shelter, and had lost his wife to malaria a few years back in the jungles of south America while reaching natives with the gospel, and starting churches there. This missionary was on his way to a meeting at an church to raise finances to go to Africa and continue his work there. Thousands of saints came to Christ because this frail old man faced his anxiety of flying, and traveled wherever Jesus sent him.

Bobby said that as they talked . . . he felt the conviction power of the Holy Spirit speaking to him about how this small frail elderly man was an 'giant-in-the-faith', and how small Bobby felt sitting in his presence. Yes, this small elderly frail missionary had extraordinary powerful faith, but, he knew that faith to do exploits for Jesus costs us something, and that we are not immune to adversity just because we have 'faith'.

That is love for Jesus, and faith that avails much! It is faith that has corresponding works.

Now not all of us are called to do what the elderly missionary did, but, all of us are called to do things by faith in the one who loves us and gave himself for us. We are called to have a relationship with Jesus by faith and allow Him to direct our lives accordingly. THAT IS FAITH.

BTW: Bobby Walker died on a mission trip to Haiti and Cuba at the ripe old age of 84. I would have loved to be there when he entered into the joy of the Lord . . . 

Hope this helps . . . Ray . . . 

 

 

Edited July 26, 2022 by Ray12614
correct formatting

[Dennis1209]

 @Ray12614 That is a wonderful and encouraging testimony, thank you!

[Leonardo Von]

This comes from not musing on the Holy Scripture and doesn't have experience with Jesus.

[debrakay]

I was reading some forum posts yesterday and one person said that such and such scripture said only the perfect person would be saved. It made me feel bad and insecure. In another forum someone said that certain well known quoted scripture was only for a particular audience and not meant for the rest of us. That made me feel bad and insecure. In another forum someone said God hated people he chose to hate and condemned them to hell before they were born so they had no free will. That made me sad. I admit I have not dissected the entire Bible to try to figure out exactly what the Father thinks and does or does not do. His ways are so far above mine it would be foolish of me to even try. I couldn’t! I’m human not God! I’ve decided I’m staying out of forums that are trying to tell me what to think and make me question what I hear from the Holy Spirit about my walk with him and the reason I’m here on earth. I don’t have any fears, doubt, or insecurities when I stay under the shadow of his wings.