Zach Williams – Fear is a Liar

I really want to believe Zach Williams has excellent Bible-based music.  He won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album *(Chain Breaker) in 2018 and two Dove awards for New Artist of the Year and Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (Chain Breaker) in 2017.  However, after his abysmal failure that is Old Church Choir, my faith in his music has dwindled.  Still, perhaps this was an isolated incident; a bad apple in an otherwise excellent album that is Chain Breaker.  It is not fair to judge the entire work of one person based on a single song.  Perhaps Fear is a Liar can change my mind.

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1. What message does the song communicate?

Listed are several lies that are told to us under the guise of fear, lies regarding self-worth, foundation, strength, beauty, security, and love.  He correctly speaks out against these lies and identifies “You” as the One in whom we should cast out all fears, though it would be near impossible to think anyone other than God should “let their fire fall”.  Williams sends a clear message to rely upon God and reject the lies.

My biggest criticism is that Williams fails to identify the source of what makes fear a liar: Satan himself.  This recognition helps us evaluate the rest of the lyrics in a clearer light, especially since the word “he” (referring to fear) persists throughout the entire song, bolstering the significance of each lie.  Still, there is a relatively minor difference in meaning when one does not recognize the source of fear as Williams describes it.  The message is still a solid exposure of lies.

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

This song contains a plethora of Bible passages confirming its biblical solidarity; however, Williams could have connected the devil to fear.   Lyrics posted with permission.*

[Verse 1]

When he told you you’re not good enough

While technically true (Psalm 14:2-3, Romans 3:10-18, and Romans 3:23), the lie here is that we are so unworthy that we are irredeemable.  This is patently false.  We can find forgiveness through the atoning work of Christ (Matthew 26:28, Act 2:38, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Romans 4:7, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13-14, James 5:15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 2:1-2, and 1 John 2:12).

Who is “he” that told Williams these things?  We will find out in the Chorus.

When he told you you’re not right

Sometimes we are not right and require correction (Proverbs 12:1, Proverbs 15:32, Proverbs 29:15, Hebrews 12:5-11, and 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  That much is true. The lie here about assurance.  We can be certain about our faith through:

1. Eyewitness testimony (Matthew 10:17-20, Luke 1:1-2, Luke 24:36-49, John 1:6-8, John 1:15, John 5:33-35, John 15:26-27, Acts 1:8, Acts 1:21-22, Acts 2:14-32, Acts 4:18-21, Acts 4:33, Acts 5:27-32, Acts 9:5-6, Acts 13:31, Acts 22:14-15, Acts 26:22-23, 1 Peter 5:1, 2 Peter 1:16, 1 1 John 1:1, and John 5:9-14);
2. Actions of Christ and His followers (John 5:36, John 10:25, John 14:11, and 1 John 3:14-22)
3. Scripture (John 5:39-40 and 1 John 5:13);
4. Prayer (1 John 5:14);
5. The Father (Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Mark 1:11, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35, John 5:37-38, and John 8:18); and
6. The Holy Spirit (Luke 3:22, John 15:26, Acts 5:27-32, Romans 8:16, 1 John 3:23-24, and 1 John 5:6-9).

When he told you you’re not strong enough

Once again, there is a grain of truth to this line.  Apart from God, our strength is gone; we are nothing (Jeremiah 10:23, John 15:4-5, and Galatians 6:3).  Yet, in God, we can find strength (Nehemiah 8:10, Psalm 22:19, Psalm 28:7-8, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 118:14, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 33:2, Isaiah 40:29-31, Habakkuk 3:19, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Ephesians 3:16, Ephesians 6:10, and Philippians 4:13).

[Verse 2]

To put up a good fight

We are commanded to continue fighting for our faith (1 Timothy 6:12), to submit to God, to resist the devil (James 4:7), and to escape temptation, which God provides (1 Corinthians 10:13).

When he told you you’re not worthy

Once again, while it is true that we are not worthy, even to untie the sandals of Jesus, as John the Baptist put it (Mark 1:7 and John 1:27), what God grants us is grace, which literally means “unmerited (or unearned) favor”.  See Exodus 33:19, Romans 3:21-24, Romans 5:1-2, Romans 5:6-8, Romans 5:15-21, Romans 6:14, Romans 8:1-4, Romans 9:14-16, Romans 11:5-6, Galatians 2:21, Galatians 5:4, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:4-9, 2 Thessalonians 2:16, Titus 2:11, and 1 Timothy 1:15-16.

When he told you you’re not loved

Obviously false.  According to Jesus, the greater act of love is to die for your friends (John 15:13).  Yet, He took it a step further and died for His enemies also (Romans 5:6-8) so that we can receive the grace described in the last line.  If that does not tell us we’re loved, nothing else can.

When he told you you’re not beautiful

While beauty is subjective, God’s Word tells us that we are fearfully (reverently) and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

That you’ll never be enough

See Verse 1, line 1, above.

[Chorus]

Fear he is a liar

The “he” in each of the verses is, according to Williams, fear personified.  We know from Scripture that the source of this type of fear is from the Devil, from Satan.  He is the father of lies (John 8:44), a lion seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), and a deceiver (Revelation 12:9).  His favorite weapon of choice is to sow doubt.  He tried it with Eve successfully (Genesis 3:1-5).  He tried it with Jesus unsuccessfully (Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13).  We are not exempt from it and must stay vigilant, protected from the schemes of the devil (Ephesians 6:11-18).

There is another type of fear that shows up all over Proverbs: deep reverence and respect.  A classic example is when a police officer pulls us over.  We become nervous and anxious because they represent the law.  We should have the same healthy fear for God.  Thankfully, this is not what Williams communicates.

He will take your breath

No, only God has control over life and death (Job 14:5, Psalm 31:15, Psalm 68:20, Psalm 139:16, Isaiah 38:5, Daniel 5:23, Acts 17:25-26, and Hebrews 9:27); however, in one instance, God gave Satan permission to kill Job’s children and most of his servants to test Job (Job 1:1-19).  If Satan has this power at all, it is because God allowed it for His purposes.

Stop you in your steps

Satan certainly tried with Jesus in Matthew 16:23, with the Apostle Peter as his cohort.  He will try this with us also.

Fear he is a liar

Repeats line 1.

He will rob your rest

That is, resting in the promises of God, as described in Hebrews 3:1-16 and Hebrews 4:1-16, referring to Israel’s lack of faithfulness in God, who wandered through the desert for 40 years, and calls us to enter into God’s rest.  Also, see Matthew 11:28-30.

Steal your happiness

Though fleeting, carnal happiness is to be avoided, true joy is found in God, through endurance of trials and tribulations (Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4) and through God’s discipline (Hebrews 12:4-11).  Satan wants to steal that joy away from us (John 10:10).

Cast your fear in the fire
Cause fear he is a liar

This is a call to action: to rid ourselves from the Devil’s snare.  Satan himself will eventually be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10), giving this line a double meaning.

[Verse 3]

When he told you were troubled
You’ll forever be alone

The Scriptures tell us that God will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5 quoting from Deuteronomy 31:6).

When he told you you should run away
You’ll never find a home

Jesus is preparing a place for us, showing us the way to the Father, the way home: through Himself (John 14:1-6).

When he told you you were dirty
And you should be ashamed

We should feel remorse for wrongdoing; however, our sins have been forgiven (Matthew 26:28, Act 2:38, Act 5:31, Act 10:43, Romans 4:7, Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14, Colossians 2:13-14, James 5:15, James 5:19-20, 1 John 2:1-2, and 1 John 2:12).  We have the righteousness of Christ; therefore, we are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1).

When he told you you could be the one
That grace could never change

See Verse 2, line 2, above.

[Bridge]

Let Your fire fall and cast out all my fears
Let Your fire fall Your love is all I feel

A reference to 1 John 4:18, which describes God’s perfect love casting out fear.  The fire is also likely a reference to the Holy Spirit, in Acts 2:1-3.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Those who are not Christ-followers will agree regarding the deception of each lie.  None of us should believe them.  Aside from my earlier comments about the devil and the bridge, there is no difference between my interpretation of this message and those outside the camp of Christ.  These differences are minor and take little away from the main thrust of Williams’ points.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

This song is not meant to glorify anything.  It is an exposure to disinformation.  We could say that it does not glorify Satan or his ideas.  Rather, it squashes the Devil and his schemes, an implicit glorification of God.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Fear is a Liar has altered my feelings towards Zach Williams.  It contains a solid refutation of Satan’s web of deception, even if he fails to acknowledge Lucifer as the source of fear.  Nearly every line contains lies refutable using the Word of God and understood by unbelievers, indirectly glorifying God.

Though admonishment against fear and the ills that cause it are worthy ideas to sing about, it does not belong in corporate worship.  Chiefly because church ought to be about worshipping the God who created us.  This song does not worship God.  However, it might still be useful for personal reflection, even on Sunday morning.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Fear is a Liar (listen to the song)

Artist: Zach Williams

Album: Chain Breaker

Genre: Gospel

Release Year: 2016

Duration: 4:25

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.

*Copyright © 2016 Fellow Ships Music (SESAC), Hickory Bill Doc (SESAC), Anthems of Hope (BMI), So Essential Tunes (SESAC), Be Essential Songs (BMI), Wisteria Drive (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Updates:

01/12/2023 – Updated Closing Comments to clarify that this song is not appropriate for corporate worship, but could be useful during church service for personal reflection.

03/31/2022 – Forgot to score section 3.  Kudos to Christen B for finding it!

05/05/2021 – Updated commentary on Bridge to the Holy Spirit’s fire instead of the all-consuming fire.