One topic that can be found in scripture but can be confusing for many is the idea of fear. Some verses seem to essentially praise fear as a pinnacle of virtue while others condemn fear as unbelief. Revelation 21:8 even lists cowards among those who be cast into the pit of fire! Is it that fear leads us to repentance and then, upon repenting, we shouldn’t fear anything? Are all the verses about fearing God an Old Testament thing and we should no longer fear him because of Jesus?
Fear is a Sign of Unbelief
There are a few versus in the New Testament that do seem to suggest that Christians, having been adopted as children of God and saved by Christ, have nothing to fear. Let’s take a look at those now:
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
2 Timothy 1:6-7
In this first case, Paul is encouraging Timothy to enthusiastically practice the gifts God has given him. The fear here seems to be that of rejection or failure in his ministry. We are likewise encouraged in many places to be bold and confident in Christ. We should never be afraid to do what God has called us to!
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:15
This one is a little more tricky. The context here is of the flesh leading to sin and death, while the Spirit offers eternal life. It seems to me the fear we would be “falling back into” in that context would be the fear of death. More specifically the lack of assurance in our salvation. While there are verses about testing our faith to ensure we are genuine, if we find ourselves confident in Christ alone we need not fear that it is not sufficient for salvation.
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
This is very similar to the previous. It is talking about how those who don’t have or know about the love of God for them may fear death and punishment, but for those of us who love God (knowing that he loves us more perfectly still) have no reason to fear death! The fear of death drives a lot of what goes on in the world. People even freeze themselves on death hoping that, in the future, technology will advance to the point of them being able to be brought back to life!
However, as Christians, we have absolutely no reason to fear death. We have a certain resurrection rather than the desperate wishes cast into the wind that man may somehow find a way in their own knowledge to cheat death.
Fear is the Beginning of Wisdom
However, there are a lot of verses that also treat fear as a virtue.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:10
Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, spends a lot of time telling the reader how he ought to value wisdom above any earthly thing. In fact, the pursuit of wisdom is the focus of the book. So to say that fear of the Lord is the necessary, first step in gaining it is to offer high praise to those who fear God indeed!
However, is this only message that was only meaningful to those who knew God before Christ? Is there any evidence of fear of the Lord in the New Testament? In fact, there is!
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
2 Corinthians 5:11
This is a verse talking about how the apostles know the fear of the Lord, and it is what drives them to ministry. Is it possible that their knowledge is only their experience before their salvation?
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12-13
This is talking about those who have salvation working it out in fear and trembling. Further, it describes that they ought to do this because God works in them. This clearly is a type of fear that would be natural to Christians and, in fact, is necessary for sanctification in Christian life.
This is very similar to a verse in the book of Psalms.
If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.
Psalm 130:3-4
The Psalmist acknowledges that all sin. We all have iniquities and short of God’s forgiveness none could stand. However, he does forgive, and one of the reasons for that is that mankind may live in a reverent respect for the God who’s wrath for our sin means death but who also forgives!
(Almost) Fearless Living
Rather than cowering as if waiting for a blow from God, the fear of the Lord drives us to keep his commands and principles in front of our faces at all times. As others have sometimes quipped someone who fears God has no need to fear anything else. God told Isaiah much the same.
But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Isaiah 8:13-14
Because we have a great, powerful God, worthy of praise, worship, and even fear, we have no reason to fear following his ways. There is nothing in this life that is out of God’s sovereign will and he loves his children! In a time when much of the church fears offending men, upsetting governments, and even just the anxiety of speaking to another person, God has already delivered a call to boldness in his word!
So live boldly for God, fearing only him!
