Question: Is social anxiety a sin?

Question: Is lack of confidence (e.g., social anxiety) a sin?

Response: Lack of confidence may simply be called “fear.” Social anxiety can be simplified to “anxiety,” regardless of what causes it. In the trials and circumstances that come before us, we may be tempted to yield to fear and anxiety in a sinful manner. On some occasions, the Lord may want us to stand and see His salvation. At other times, we clearly know to remove ourselves from the situation. We all face fear and anxiety to one degree or another, but do we allow them to cause us to flee from circumstances under which we know the Lord would want us to remain for His purposes?

In the book of Esther, a royal decree has been issued that will bring a massacre of all the Jews in Persia. Queen Esther is anxious and fearful because she was asked by her uncle, Mordecai, to risk her life on behalf of her people. The possibility of death and the unknown is certainly cause for fear and anxiety for anyone! Mordecai specifically tells Esther that “[I]f thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14).

Had Esther yielded to her fear and anxiety and fled or refused to follow through, her action—it is directly implied—would have been sinful and would have resulted in tragedy for her. Although fear and anxiety are a real part of the human condition, they only become sin when we yield to the temptation to flee from challenges that we know God is allowing.

For those who are the children of God, our very necessities, such as food and clothing, are not to be the cause of worry. Jesus pointed to His creation, showing that our heavenly Father knows our needs and is concerned both with them and for us (Matthew:6:25-31 [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? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
See All...). If God so cares for the grass, flowers, and birds, why shouldn’t He also care for His children who are created in His image? Chapter 6 ends with the admonition to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you” (v. 33). Rather than yielding to our fears and anxieties, we must turn to God and His Word. The promise of our Lord is that “all these things shall be added unto you.” What things? The necessary things of life! To yield to our fears and anxieties is to doubt the promise of God. That common scenario of mankind showed up in the Garden when Satan asked, “Yea, hath God said...?” Yes, it was doubt that led to the sin that brought in the curse. Interaction with others can sometimes bring anxiety, but we are called to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians:5:20Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
See All...), and that involves social interaction with others. James:1:2-4 [2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
See All... exhorts, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”