A Course in Miracles explains how all fear is rooted in lies, including the lie of separation from God (ACIM, T-2.VI.7:7–8). The separation happened in our imaginations, not in reality (ACIM, T-6.II.9:1). Sin blinded us to the truth of our identity as God’s sons and daughters. It caused us to think that He was far-off, distant, angry, and closed off, when in Reality, He has always been with us and in us (Acts 17:27–28; Colossians 1:27).
As the Bible teaches, all fear is rooted in punishment (1 John 4:18). ACIM teaches that God is not retributive and therefore doesn’t punish anyone (ACIM, T-3.I.2:1–4). It is not in His nature or character whatsoever. Rather, He heals, forgives, and restores (Psalm 103:2–5). According to ACIM, the idea of a God who punishes is idolatry and heresy (ACIM, T-3.I.2:6). While there are many retributive images of God in the Old Testament, Jesus says that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Therefore, any idea of a violent and angry God is a false projection of the broken human imagination.
As ACIM states early on, “Fear is the opposite of Love” (ACIM, T-1.VI.2:1). The Bible teaches that God is Love (1 John 4:8) and that Love is patient and kind… it does not envy or boast or keep a record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). The Bible and ACIM teach that God made humanity in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26–27; ACIM, T-3.VII.3:1), which means that everything true of Him is also true of us (1 John 4:17). Therefore, if He is loving, we are loving. His Word defines the truth of our being.
As ACIM and the Bible teach, we are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). This comes from recognizing the truth of our identity and forsaking all lies and misinterpretations of reality. This takes conscious effort because we must unlearn lies that we have believed about ourselves and God. Lies empower fear.
“When Adam listened to the “lies of the serpent,” all he heard was untruth You do not have to continue to believe what is not true unless you choose to do so. All that can literally disappear in the twinkling of an eye because it is merely a misperception. What is seen in dreams seems to be very real. Yet the Bible says that a deep sleep fell upon Adam, and nowhere is there reference to his waking up” (ACIM, T-2.I.3:2-6)
The Fall is a picture of humans believing in lies rather than in truth. ACIM relates this to a dream-like state and says that Adam never woke up from it. Yet, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we can choose Reality (1 Corinthians 15:52). When we believe the Truth, it will set us free (John 8:32). It will open the eyes of our hearts to see that we are free… we are whole… we are complete, lacking nothing (Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 2:10). As ACIM states, “No one who fears is really alive” (ACIM, T-3.VI.3:2).
It’s a process of forsaking lies and choosing truth, but God is more than able to help us (Philippians 2:13). It takes practice and time to rehearse reality, yet we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).
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