Fear
Fear in Scripture appears both as godly reverence (the fear of the LORD) and as the dread that paralyses obedience. The prophets, apostles, and disciples are repeatedly told "fear not" — not because the threats are imagined, but because the presence of God redefines them. Scripture directs fear away from creatures and toward the One before whom all creatures stand.
Key verses (10)
- Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and of a good courage — Moses
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is tha...”
- Joshua 1:9Be strong and of a good courage
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:...”
- Psalms 23:4I will fear no evil: for thou art with me
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with...”
- Psalms 27:1The LORD is my light; whom shall I fear
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of wh...”
- Proverbs 29:25Fear of man bringeth a snare
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
- Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I...”
- Isaiah 43:1Fear not: for I have redeemed thee
“But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not:...”
- Matthew 10:28Fear not them which kill the body
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which ...”
- 2 Timothy 1:7Not a spirit of fear: power, love, sound mind
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
- 1 John 4:18Perfect love casteth out fear
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fear...”
Relevant characters (3)
Elijah
Fled to Horeb under Jezebel's threat (1 Kings 19)
Peter
Sank on the water when he saw the wind (Matthew 14:30)
Moses
Asked God: "Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?" (Exodus 3:11)
Further reading
- Ed Welch — When People Are Big and God Is Small, P&R Publishing (1997)
- Jerry Bridges — Trusting God, NavPress (1988)
- John Piper — Battling Unbelief, Multnomah (2007)
Pastoral commentary
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