+ My take on Luke 12: 4-5 is to never fear Satan for he has no power over one's Soul. Allow God to be your Shield, Etc.. "Protect me from Evil, Amen" Beware of any 'bogeymen-like folks' - whose words intend to instill a paralyzing fear of Satan. What think thou? + Psalm 111.10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. Luke 1:49-50 49 The Mighty One has done great things for me—Holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Luke 12:4-5 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, Fear Him. +
Thanks Frankly for your above post. I would like to add a clarifying note, because the two verses above might appear to contradict one another, but instead are speaking of two different aspects of fear. The Church speaks of servile fear which is that component of the Fear of the Lord which accents fear of punishment. To choose the right path so as to avoid hell is a good thing and is what Jesus refers to in your selection from Luke. The more excellent component of Fear of the Lord is reflected in your verse from 1John. It is the fear of grieving the Sacred Heart, motivated out of love for Christ. One form of the Act of Contrition which differentiates between the two: (1) O my God I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishment... (servile fear) Lk 12:4-5 (2) But most of all because they offend Thee my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love (fear of grieving the Sacred Heart) 1 John 4:18
+ You're welcome, Mario.. I Appreciate that.. At some point in time that's what I'd pray. Later? I was taught that that is the imperfect act of contrition.. So at some point in time way back when, upon meditating on it - I saw the light and I switched to the perfect act of contrition - and it is liberating, and I never looked back.. It wasnt any servile fear of Hell which motivated me.. Being barred from God's Heavenly Kingdom (which is coming) is the worst thing which can occur.. I'm moved by not wanting to offend God -Perfect Contrition: a person is sorry for their sins because they have offended God, whom they love and who loves them. -Imperfect Contrition: a person is sorry because they fear God's punishment. -Every sin is an offense against God and also offends our neighbor. The Fathers of the Church described Confession metaphorically as the “second plank after the shipwreck of sin.” To be forgiven in Confession a person must have contrition for his sins. Contrition is “sorrow of the soul and detestation for sin committed, together with the resolution not to sin again” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1451). Contrition may be of two kinds: perfect and imperfect. Perfect contrition “arises from a love by which God is loved above all else” (CCC 1452). Imperfect contrition “is born of the consideration of sin’s ugliness or the fear of eternal damnation and the other penalties threatening the sinner” (CCC 1453). In both cases a Christian experiences sorrow for sins committed, but the motive for sorrow differs. When I'm reminded of current and past sins. I feel Sorrow and I Pray to be Forgiven. When a fleeting temptation passes in my mind, I call on the Name of JESUS to dispel it. Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 2 Corinthians 13:5 2 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? Philippians 2:5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: +
