| The term “FEAR” in the Bible carries a broader meaning than the typical understanding of being scared or terrified. While it can certainly denote apprehension or dread in the face of danger, it also encompasses a profound sense of awe, reverence, and respect, especially in relation to God. |
| The Bible mentions two specific types of FEAR. The first type is beneficial and is to be encouraged. The second type is a detriment and is to be overcome. The first type of fear is fear of the Lord. This type of fear does not necessarily mean to be afraid of something. Rather, it is a reverential awe of God, a reverence for His power and glory. However, it is also a proper respect for His wrath and anger. In other words, the fear of the Lord is a total acknowledgement of all that God is, which comes through knowing Him and His attributes. |
| The Fear of the Lord |
| Reverential awe: The “fear of the Lord” is a central theme in the Bible, representing a deep respect, reverence, and awe for God’s power, holiness, and authority. |
| Beginning of wisdom: Proverbs states that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”. This signifies that a proper fear of God is foundational to true knowledge and insightful living. |
| Leads to obedience: Fearing the Lord motivates believers to obey His commands and walk in His ways, as Deuteronomy 10:12 indicates. |
| Avoids evil: Through the fear of the Lord, one avoids evil and turns away from sin, according to Proverbs 16:6. |
| Brings blessings: The fear of the Lord brings blessings, such as protection, guidance, a sense of security, and a deeper relationship with God. |
| 1. Reverential Fear of God: |
| Awe and Respect: This fear is not terror, but rather a deep reverence and awe for God’s power, holiness, and majesty. |
| Source of Wisdom: The Bible emphasises that the “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). |
| Motivates Obedience: This fear encourages believers to live in accordance with God’s will and commands. |
| Examples: Jacob calls the Lord the “Fear of Isaac” (Genesis 31:42), and the Israelites tremble before Mount Sinai (Exodus 20:18). |
| 2. Fear as a Response to Danger or Evil: |
| Fear as a Natural Emotion: The Bible acknowledges that fear is a natural human response experienced when facing perceived threats, danger, harm or uncertainty. |
| Can be Destructive: Excessive or misplaced fear can lead to anxiety, worry, and even despair (2 Timothy 1:7). |
| Examples: Adam and Eve’s fear after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:10), and the Israelites’ fear of the Canaanites (Numbers 14:9). |
| 3. Overcoming Fear: |
| Faith in God: The Bible encourages believers to turn to God in times of fear and put their trust in God and His promises as a way to overcome fear (Psalm 23:4 and Psalm 56:3). |
| God’s Assurance: The Bible offers reassurance of God’s presence and protection, encouraging believers to “Fear Not” but to trust in His strength and help. |
| Contrasting with Faith: Fear is often contrasted with faith, emphasising the importance of trusting in God’s power and presence rather than succumbing to fear. |
| Remembering God’s Power: Recognising God’s power and sovereignty will help dispel unnecessary fears (Isaiah 41:10). |
| Focusing on God’s Love: Knowing that God loves and cares for us will help us face our fears with courage. |
| God’s Power, Love, and Sound Mind: The Bible reminds believers that God has not given them a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind, encouraging them to overcome fear through the strength of the Holy Spirit. |
| Perfect Love casts out fear: 1 John 4:18 explains that “perfect love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment”. This implies that a deeper understanding and experience of God’s love will diminish the fear of punishment or judgment. |
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| In essence, while the Bible presents fear as a complex emotion with both positive and negative aspects, it acknowledges the human experience of fear. However, the Bible primarily emphasises a healthy and reverential fear of God that leads to wisdom, obedience, and a deeper relationship with Him through faith and trust, which ultimately helps believers overcome the anxieties and fears of this world. |
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| The Fear of the Lord brings with it many blessings and benefits. It is the beginning of wisdom and leads to good understanding (Psalm 111:10). Only fools despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). Furthermore, fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). It is the fountain and life (Proverbs 14:27) and provides a security and a place of safety for us (Proverbs 14:26). |
| Thus, one can see how fearing God should be encouraged. However, the second type of fear mentioned in the Bible is not beneficial at all. This is the “spirit of fear” mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:07 “For GOD HATH NOT GIVEN US THE SPIRIT OF FEAR; BUT OF POWER, AND OF LOVE, AND OF A SOUND MIND”. A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God. |
| However, sometimes we are afraid, sometimes this “spirit of fear” overcomes us, and to overcome it we need to trust in and love God completely. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). No one is perfect, and God knows this. That is why He has liberally sprinkled encouragement against fear throughout the Bible. Beginning in the Book of Genesis and continuing throughout the Book of Revelation, God reminds us to “FEAR NOT.” |
| For example, Isaiah 41:10 encourages us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Often we fear the future and what will become of us. But Jesus reminds us that God cares for the birds of the air, so how much more will He provide for His children? “So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). Just these few verses cover many different types of fear. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard, and of lacking physical necessities. These admonishments continue throughout the Bible, covering the many different aspects of the “spirit of fear.” |
| In Psalm 56:11 the psalmist writes, “In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” This is an awesome testimony to the power of trusting in God. Regardless of what happens, the psalmist will trust in God because he knows and understands the power of God. The key to overcoming fear, then, is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is a refusal to give in to fear. It is a turning to God even in the darkest times and trusting Him to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good. As Job said when he was experiencing some of the most difficult trials recorded in the Bible, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15a). |
| Once we have learned to put our trust in God, we will no longer be afraid of the things that come against us. We will be like the psalmist who said with confidence “…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11). |
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| The words FEAR NOT occur 63 times in the KJV Bible |
| Genesis 15:01: ¶ After these things the Word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, FEAR NOT, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward. |
| Revelation 1:17 And when I [John] saw him [Jesus}, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, FEAR NOT; I am the first and the last: |
| Revelation 1:18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. |
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| Fear of God – Fear of the LORD – Fear the LORD – Fearing God – Fearing the LORD – Fear God |
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| Genesis 20:11 And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the FEAR of God [is] not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife’s sake. |
| 2 Samuel 23:03 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men [must be] just, ruling in the FEAR of God. |
| 2 Chronicles 20:29 And the FEAR of God was on all the kingdoms of [those] countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. |
| Nehemiah 5:15 But the former governors that [had been] before me were chargeable unto the people, and had taken of them bread and wine, beside forty shekels of silver; yea, even their servants bare rule over the people: but so did not I, because of the FEAR of God. |
| Psalm 36:01: ¶ The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, [that there is] no FEAR of God before his eyes. |
| Romans 3:18 There is no FEAR of God before their eyes. |
| 2 Corinthians 7:01: ¶ Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the FEAR of God. |
Ephesians 5:21 Submitting YOURSELVES ONE TO ANOTHER in the FEAR of God. [The Greek plural reciprocal pronoun “allelon” is typically translated into English as “YOURSELVES” or as “THEMSELVES” OR as “ONE TO ANOTHER”, but NOT as a combination of any of these. The correct translation of Ephesians 5:21 should read EITHER: “Submitting YOURSELVES in the FEAR of God”; OR it should read: “Submitting ONE TO ANOTHER in the FEAR of God.” But it should NOT include both these expressions. It is either the one or the other, but not both.
Hence the rendering: Submitting yourselves in the FEAR of God. (Ephesians 5:21)] |
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| 1 Samuel 11:07 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the FEAR of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. |
| 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the FEAR of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. |
| 2 Chronicles 17:10 ¶ And the FEAR of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. |
| 2 Chronicles 19:07 Wherefore now let the FEAR of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do [it]: for [there is] no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. |
| 2 Chronicles 19:09 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the FEAR of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. |
| Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the FEAR of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding. |
| Psalm 19:09 The FEAR of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. |
| Psalm 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the FEAR of the LORD. |
| Psalm 111:10 The FEAR of the LORD [is] the BEGINNING of WISDOM: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever. |
| Proverbs 1:07 ¶ The FEAR of the LORD [is] the BEGINNING of KNOWLEDGE: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction. |
| Proverbs 1:29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the FEAR of the LORD: |
| Proverbs 2:05 Then shalt thou understand the FEAR of the LORD, and find the KNOWLEDGE of God. |
| Proverbs 8:13 The FEAR of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. |
| Proverbs 9:10 The FEAR of the LORD [is] the BEGINNING of WISDOM: and the KNOWLEDGE of the HOLY [is] UNDERSTANDING. [7 Hebrew words; 7 standing for perfection] |
| Proverbs 10:27 The FEAR of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. |
| Proverbs 14:26 In the FEAR of the LORD [is] STRONG CONFIDENCE: and his children shall have a place of refuge. |
| Proverbs 14:27 The FEAR of the LORD [is] a FOUNTAIN of LIFE, to depart from the snares of death. |
| Proverbs 15:16 Better [is] little with the FEAR of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith. |
| Proverbs 15:33 The FEAR of the LORD [is] the INSTRUCTION of WISDOM; and before honour [is] humility. |
| Proverbs 16:06 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the FEAR of the LORD [men] depart from evil. |
| Proverbs 19:23 The FEAR of the LORD [tendeth] to LIFE: and [he that hath it] shall abide SATISFIED; he shall not be visited with evil. |
| Proverbs 22:04 By humility [and] the FEAR of the LORD [are] riches, and honour, and life. |
| Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the FEAR of the LORD all the day long. |
| Isaiah 2:10 ¶ Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for FEAR of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty. |
| Isaiah 2:19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for FEAR of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. |
| Isaiah 2:21 To go into the clefts of the ragged rocks, for FEAR of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth. |
| Isaiah 11:02 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the FEAR of the LORD; |
| Isaiah 11:03 And shall make him of quick understanding in the FEAR of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: |
| Isaiah 33:06 And WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE shall be the stability of thy times, [and] strength of salvation: the FEAR of the LORD [is] his TREASURE. |
| Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the FEAR of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. |
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| Exodus 9:30 But as for thee [Pharaoh] and thy servants, [Moses said] I know that ye will not yet FEAR the LORD God. |
| Deuteronomy 6:02 That thou mightest FEAR the LORD thy GOD, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son’s son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. [ONE GOD – not a 3 in 1 / 1 in 3 mysterious god.] |
| Deuteronomy 6:13 THOU SHALT FEAR THE LORD thy GOD, AND SERVE HIM, and shalt swear by his name. [Deuteronomy 10:20; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:08] |
| Deuteronomy 6:24 And the LORD COMMANDED us to do all these statutes, to FEAR the LORD OUR GOD, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as [it is] at this day. |
| Deuteronomy 10:12 ¶ And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy GOD require of thee, but to FEAR the LORD thy GOD, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soul, |
| Deuteronomy 10:20 Thou shalt FEAR the LORD thy GOD; him shalt thou SERVE, AND to him shalt thou CLEAVE, and swear by his name. |
| Deuteronomy 14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy GOD, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to FEAR the LORD thy GOD always. |
| Deuteronomy 17:19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to FEAR the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: |
| Deuteronomy 31:12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that [is] within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and FEAR the LORD your GOD, and observe to do all the words of this law: |
| Deuteronomy 31:13 And [that] their children, which have not known [any thing], may hear, and learn to FEAR the LORD your GOD, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. |
| Joshua 4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might FEAR the LORD your GOD for ever. |
| Joshua 24:14 ¶ Now therefore FEAR the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. |
| 1 Samuel 12:14 If ye will FEAR the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your GOD: |
| 1 Samuel 12:24 Only FEAR the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great [things] he hath done for you. |
| 1 Kings 18:12 And it shall come to pass, [as soon as] I am gone from thee, that the spirit of the LORD shall carry thee whither I know not; and [so] when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant FEAR the LORD from my youth. |
| 2 Kings 4:01: ¶ Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did FEAR the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. |
| 2 Kings 17:28 Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should FEAR the LORD. |
| Psalm 15:04 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that FEAR the LORD. [He that] sweareth to [his own] hurt, and changeth not. |
| Psalm 22:23 Ye that FEAR the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel. |
| Psalm 27:01: ¶ The LORD [is] my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD [is] the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? |
| Psalm 33:08 Let all the earth FEAR the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. |
| Psalm 34:09 O FEAR the LORD, ye his saints: for [there is] no want to them that fear him. |
| Psalm 115:11 Ye that FEAR the LORD, trust in the LORD: he [is] their help and their shield. |
| Psalm 115:13 He will bless them that FEAR the LORD, [both] small and great. |
| Psalm 118:04 Let them now that FEAR the LORD say, that his mercy [endureth] for ever. |
| Psalm 135:20 Bless the LORD, O house of Levi: ye that FEAR the LORD, bless the LORD. |
| Proverbs 3:07 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: FEAR the LORD, and depart from evil. |
| Jeremiah 5:24 Neither say they in their heart, Let us now FEAR the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. |
| Jeremiah 26:19 Did Hezekiah king of Judah and all Judah put him at all to death? did he not FEAR the LORD, and besought the LORD, and the LORD repented him of the evil which he had pronounced against them? Thus might we procure great evil against our souls. |
| Hosea 3:05 Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall FEAR the LORD and his goodness in the latter days. |
| Amos 3:08 The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD HATH SPOKEN, WHO CAN BUT PROPHESY? |
| Jonah 1:09 And he [Jonah] said unto them [the shipmaster and his fellows], I [am] an Hebrew; and I FEAR the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry [land]. |
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| Colossians 3:22 Servants, obey in all things [your] masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, FEARING God: |
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| Joshua 22:25 For the LORD hath made Jordan a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from FEARING the LORD. |
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| Genesis 42:18 And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; [for] I FEAR God: |
| Exodus 18:21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as FEAR God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place [such] over them, [to be] rulers of thousands, [and] rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: |
| Job 1:09 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job FEAR God for nought? |
| Psalm 66:16 Come [and] hear, all ye that FEAR God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. |
| Ecclesiastes 8:12 ¶ Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that FEAR God, which FEAR before him: |
| Ecclesiastes 12:13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. |
| Luke 23:40 But the other [the second malefactor crucified with Jesus] answering rebuked him [the first malefactor crucified with Jesus], saying, Dost not thou FEAR God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? |
| Acts 13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with [his] hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that FEAR God, give audience. |
| 1 Peter 2:17 Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. FEAR God. Honour the king. |
| Revelation 14:07 [Another angel] Saying with a loud voice, FEAR GOD, AND GIVE GLORY TO HIM [singular]; for the hour of His judgment is come: AND WORSHIP HIM that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. [Summary of the 1st Angel’s Message: A world-wide final gospel of truth message proclaimed just before Christ’s Second Advent to give fear [respect, reverence, and awe], glory and worship to God the Father – our Creator.] |
