Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"Fear of death"
Text: Hebrews 2:15
MANY FEARS IN THE HEART
Many fears lurk in the heart of mankind. From childhood to adulthood these fears manifest themselves. Some fears are deadly and can have crippling effects.
THE FEAR OF DEATH
Perhaps one of the most deadly fears is that described in the text below.
“And release those who through fear of death
were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
Hebrews 2:15
1. Fear of death
a) Many fear death because it is an unknown territory.
b) The fear of death can exist for a “lifetime”.
c) Expressions of these fears:
i) Studied avoidance of anything associated with death.
ii) Every effort is made to prolong life.
iii) Death is held in terror.
2. Subject to bondage (douleias)
a) The word “bondage” simply means “slavery”.
b) The devil enslaves people through fear, especially the fear of death.
3. Release from the fear of death (release ” apallaxe”)
a) Jesus came in the flesh to give battle to the devil.
b) He was unafraid to lay down His life for His brethren.
c) He overcame the devil through His own death.
d) By so doing, He symbolically and effectively broke the power of the fear of death.
FAITH IN JESUS
How may we overcome our fear of death? Jesus would have to be the One who does this! Our part is to come to Him in faith and to ask to be freed from this fear.