What we think, we tend to believe. For example, most of the media outlets focus on Covid19. No wonder people are scared.

The Bible says that we are who we hang out with. Proverbs 13:20 says “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Walk with the scared, and you will get scared. Scared people hide. They are fearful. Scared and fearful people have anxiety and stress to the point in which they do not live their lives. Normal and healthy things like family gatherings, visiting children and friends, shopping and attending church are seen as dangerous and self-centered.

What was seen as good is seen as bad. The heroes in a fear-based culture are the ones who showcase fear. The people who hide are the good ones. The people who listen to the government and media are the good ones. They are compliant and helping stop the spread of Covid.

Except this plan of division and isolation is not helping. Not according to the very people who told us all to go and hide under our beds. They want us to be more fearful and more diligent in shaming those who don’t share our fear.

In a doctor’s office a man who had never worn a mask was trying to figure out which side was up and which side went towards his face was berated by a bully who shamed him loudly and publicly. This type of thing is a common consequence of fear.

I remember many years ago there was a type of movement. What Would Jesus Do? It was often symbolized by WWJD letters on bracelets. The wearer, when faced with a choice, was to ask this question and then choose what they thought Jesus would do in that situation.

While I never utilized this approach, I do wonder how Jesus would want us to live during this Covid time. I don’t think he would want us to be rioting in the streets destroying lives and businesses. I don’t think he would want us shaming others. I would even say that he would not want us become so enraged that we dismiss those who disagree with us.

So, what would Jesus do?

Unless the governments command us to sin by going against God or the ten commandments, we are obligated to obey their laws. Romans 13:1 says: “All of you must obey those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God.”

This is harsh!

Even our corrupt Prime Minister is chosen by God. Notice that even in the Bible there were good kings and bad kings. God used them all for his purposes. I certainly don’t understand his purpose for Trudeau but I don’t have to. The same for those who think Trump is a bad guy. We are called to obey God, and He says to obey our government, unless, they tell us to sin. Unless they tell us to contradict God such as telling the apostles not to preach in the name of Jesus, and they did it anyway as recorded in Acts 5:27-29.

Our governments have limited our ability to worship. But we are still allowed to preach on street corners, backyards, and in limited ways inside our buildings. Fear is used to limit freedom. The ultimate freedom of being a child of God is limitless and cannot be bound by human authority since it is of God and is spiritual. Some believe that governments and organizations are creating a culture of fear purposely. Even this being true, the spirit of fear is no match for the spirit of God.

Just as in the first century, the Christian church is being forced to do faith differently. This attempt to hold us down through fear, hatred, anger, and isolation has only made Christianity stronger. Ministry has become what it was always meant to be. Meaningful interactions between the hopeful and the hopeless, the found and the lost.

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Believers do not fear bad news because we are confident the Lord takes care of us (Psalm 112:7).

You are who you hang out with. Hang out with God and fear not or hang out with Covid and fear everything.

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Andy Becker is a retired counsellor and author of The Travelers, a fictionalized account of spiritual warfare (available on Amazon) as is, Stupid Thyroid, a book he co-wrote with his wife, Stella. Andy and his wife, Stella, lead Lighthouse Ministry in North Central Regina, one of Canada’s poorest and roughest areas. He is a retired counselor, speaker, and writer. Andy Becker is working on his second book about spiritual warfare. His first book, The Travelers, is available at Amazon.com and Amazon.ca.