Fear Versus Peace: Can Scripture Contradict?
In this article, you will learn how Deuteronomy 28:67 contradicts Philippians 4:6-7, Matthew 6:25, John 14:27, 2 Timothy 1:7 and Psalm 23:4. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
In the tapestry of Biblical scripture, Deuteronomy 28:67 paints a stark picture of fear and anxiety. Moses describes a state so riddled with dread that mornings and nights become unbearable, each hour anticipated with equal fear and trembling. This depiction of a life consumed by worry contrasts sharply with other Biblical assurances of peace and tranquility.
Philippians 4:6-7 advises believers to lay aside anxiety, seeking peace through prayer and thanksgiving. It emphasizes the transformative power of prayer in mitigating fear, suggesting that through spiritual practice, we find an antidote to the dread expressed in Deuteronomy.
Similarly, Matthew 6:25 urges against worrying about the fundamentals of life – food, drink, clothing – encouraging a trust in divine provision instead. This reflects an invitation to a carefree existence, directly opposing the paralyzing anxiety that Deuteronomy describes.
In John 14:27, Jesus offers a profound assurance of peace, explicitly advising his followers not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid. This assurance comes as a stark contrast to Moses’ warning where collective dread undeniably impacts daily life.
Further reinforcing this theme is 2 Timothy 1:7, which reminds believers of the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind given by God. This spirit stands in contradiction to fear, offering strength and clarity instead of anxiety.
Even in the familiar Psalm 23:4, a promise resonates: even when traversing the darkest valleys, one need not fear, for God’s presence brings comfort. This psalm vividly contrasts with the relentless fear mentioned in Deuteronomy.
These contradictions can be likened to choosing between weather patterns: one path is like a storm without end, while the other offers a forecast of calm amidst chaos. How can these seemingly opposing verses coexist within faith, and what does this mean for those seeking peace in a world often fraught with fear?
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Deuteronomy 28:67 | In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see. |
| 2. | Philippians 4:6-7 | Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. |
| 3. | Matthew 6:25 | Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? |
| 4. | John 14:27 | Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. |
| 5. | 2 Timothy 1:7 | For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. |
| 6. | Psalm 23:4 | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. |