Are Your Eyes Open?
Or Are You Too Afraid to Look?
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by fear, uncertain what to do next? You are not alone!
In fact, the Bible addresses fear over 540 times, five to twenty times more frequently than other important themes like “hell” or “redeemer.” Yet, in the midst of all this, there’s a solution we often overlook: the role of knowledge in dispelling fear and building confidence in our faith.
One of the most powerful examples of this is found in 2 Kings 6:15-17.
The Chief Servant Panics
"Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?'" (2 Kings 6:15, NASB)
It is generally thought that Elisha ran a school for prophets outside the city or in a large compound at the city’s edge. A hostile army surrounded the compound where Elisha and his servant were staying. The servant panicked, asking, "What shall we do?"
But Elisha, calm and confident, replied,
"So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' And the Lord opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha." (2 Kings 6:16-17, NASB)
It wasn’t until the servant saw the truth that his fear dissolved.
This passage shows us that knowledge of God's truth changes everything. When we understand God’s presence and power in our lives, fear diminishes, and faith flourishes.
Fear and the Absence of Knowledge
Fear often stems from the unknown. We feel vulnerable and anxious when we are unsure of what lies ahead. Elisha’s servant was terrified because all he saw was the enemy army.
He lacked the knowledge that God was fighting for them. Without that critical information, his faith was weak, and fear took over.
The Bible repeatedly warns us about the effects of fear and shows us how vital knowledge is in overcoming it.
As it says in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
Without knowledge, we are left vulnerable, not only to fear but also to the lies and doubts that can cripple our faith.
The Science Behind Fear
It's worth noting that fear isn't just a spiritual battle – it's a physical and psychological one, too.
In his research for the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Thierry Steimer explains that fear activates specific physical responses in our bodies that can affect us in multiple ways. Fear can lead to panic, changes in heart rate, confusion, and temporary muscular paralysis. Even low-level fear, applied on a continuous basis over a long period can cause negative physical and mental problems.
Understanding the science behind fear can help us recognize its effects and better combat them with faith and knowledge.
It's a powerful reminder that God's wisdom in addressing fear so frequently in Scripture aligns with what we now know scientifically about its impact on our lives.
The Confidence Knowledge Brings
Knowledge is powerful because it grounds our faith in something solid. Elisha was calm and confident because he knew something his servant did not.
He understood God’s power and had firsthand experience of God’s protection. This knowledge was the source of his confidence, which can be the same for us.
When we take the time to learn who God is through His Word, we build a foundation that cannot be shaken.
Verses like Isaiah 40:28 remind us of God’s greatness:
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.”
Knowing that God is eternal, all-powerful, and ever-present gives us the confidence to face whatever life throws our way.
Faith Grows with Knowledge
Faith doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is nurtured by knowledge. The more we understand God’s promises, character, and works, the more our faith grows.
When we know that God is faithful to His Word, we trust Him more. When we know that He has overcome the world, we fear less.
Consider the words of King Hezekiah in:
2 Chronicles 32:7-8, as the people of Judah faced an impending invasion:
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles."
Hezekiah’s confidence didn’t come from wishful thinking but from his knowledge of who God is, and what God had promised. The same principle applies to us today.
When we are filled with the knowledge of God’s power and love, we are better equipped to trust Him, even in the most challenging circumstances.
Building Confidence Through God’s Word
If we want to build a strong, unshakable faith, we must start with knowledge. Here are three practical steps to strengthen your confidence in God through knowledge:
Study Scripture Regularly: Make time to read the Bible each day.
Verses like Romans 10:17 remind us, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” The more we expose ourselves to God’s Word, the more we strengthen our faith.
Pray for Understanding: Like Elisha prayed for his servant’s eyes to be opened, we can ask God to open our hearts and minds to the truth.
In James 1:5, we are told, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Ask God to give you insight into His Word and to help you apply it to your life.
Reflect on God’s Past Faithfulness: Take time to remember how God has worked in your life. Just as Elisha knew God’s protection from past experience, we can gain confidence by recalling how God has delivered us before.
Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” Reflecting on God’s faithfulness strengthens our trust in His future provision.
Facing Fear with Knowledge and Faith
Fear may always be present, but it doesn’t have to dominate our lives. When we arm ourselves with the knowledge of God’s Word and His promises, we build confidence that no threat can shake.
Like Elisha’s servant, we may start fearful, but with God’s help, we can have our eyes opened to the truth: God is with us, and His power is greater than any enemy we face.
By immersing ourselves in the knowledge of God’s Word, we nurture a faith that grows stronger every day. We learn to trust in God’s faithfulness and plan for our lives, knowing that He is in control no matter what happens.
So, take time this week to deepen your knowledge of God. Study His Word, ask for insight, and reflect on His faithfulness.
For at least a week, do the following:
Evaluate one area of your life each day
Humbly ask God to open your eyes to His truth
Seek knowledge from His Word related to your fears
Face your fear, relying on the Holy Spirit's power
Let the joy of salvation fill your life
Remember, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7, NASB)
As your understanding grows, so will your confidence — not only in yourself but in the God who promises to fight your battles and walk with you every step of the way.
#BuildYourFaith #KnowledgeInFaith #TrustInGod #FaithOverFear #ConfidenceInChrist
1 - Steimer, Thierry. “The biology of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors.” Dialogues in clinical neuroscience vol. 4,3 (2002): 231-49. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2002.4.3/tsteimer