Fear is an interesting word in Scripture. It is actually translated two different ways. The first is the way that you see the definition of the word below. The second way that it is translated, is a reverent fear, which means, you respect God’s authority and you do not want to disrespect Him in any way shape or form. Whenever you are reading Scripture you need to look at how you believe the word fear is being used. In Proverbs 1:7 it says, “Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” This is not that you fear the LORD, but that you totally respect and are in awe of the knowledge that He has given to you. Now I tell people that I fear the LORD, because in the Book of Matthew chapter 10 it tells me that God is the only one who can destroy both your soul and body in hell. So believe me I fear him, but in a healthy way. I also fear Him as in, I revere His authority and have come to know Him as my Father in Heaven, I call him daddy and I do not have to fear being punished if I am in His will. He is gracious and merciful and gives me plenty of time to repent of my sins, but if I do not and choose to continue in my sin, He will have to punish me. And believe me, I would rather be punished by God than by man. Because men are not merciful. In this study you will see that the LORD is constantly telling us not to be afraid and only to fear Him.
One thing that I know that the enemy uses constantly in the life of the believer is the tool of fear. He constantly tries to sow doubt into your life so that he can bind you and keep you from doing the LORD’s work. People that run the streets know about this kind of intimidation and the only ones that they typically run from is the authorities. Fear and intimidation is how the enemy continues to bind people into the sex trade (Prostitution, human trafficking, porn, etc.). I can tell you right now that the LORD tells us not to be afraid and to get involved in breaking down these strongholds of evil that continue to break down our society. I hope that the LORD gives you peace and courage, strength when you need it and wisdom to step out in faith when you need too. May God Bless You and I suggest that you read the courage study also.
Fear: n. 1. the feeling one has when danger, pain, or trouble is near; feeling of being worried or excited or of wanting to run and hide.
Matthew 10:16-42 Side note: This was Jesus speaking to his disciples.
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wary as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and beaten in the synagogues. And you must stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. This will be your opportunity to tell them about me – yes, to witness to the world. When you are arrested, don’t worry about what to say in your defense, because you will be given the right words at the right time. For it won’t be you doing the talking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, fathers will betray their own children, and children will rise against their parents and cause them to be killed. And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I assure you that I, the Son of Man, will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.
“A student is not greater than the teacher. A servant is not greater than the master.
The student shares the teacher’s fate. The servant shares the master’s fate. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, how much more will it happen to you, the members of the household! But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Not even a sparrow, worth only half a penny, can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! No, I came to bring a sword. I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household! If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it.
“Anyone who welcomes you is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me. If you welcome a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will receive the same reward a prophet gets. And if you welcome good and godly people because of their godliness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Matthew 14:25-33
About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came to them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him, they screamed in terror, thinking he was a ghost. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “It’s all right,” he said. “I am here! Don’t be afraid.”
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.”
“All right, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him. “You don’t have much faith.” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” And when they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
Then the disciples, worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Matthew 28:1-10
Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you.”
The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to find the disciples to give them the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. And they ran to him, held his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.
Proverbs 1:7
Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and discipline.
Proverbs 1:20-33
Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. She calls out to the crowds along the main street, and to those in front of city hall. “You simpletons!” she cries. “How long will you go on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools fight the facts? Come here and listen to me! I’ll pour out the spirit of wisdom upon you and make you wise.
“I called you so often, but you didn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you – when calamity overcomes you like a storm, when you are engulfed by trouble, and when anguish and distress overwhelm you.
“I will not answer when they cry for help. Even though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen. For they are simpletons who turn away from me – to death. They are fools, and their own complacency will destroy them. But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm.”
Proverbs 2:1-8
My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him.
Proverbs 3:7-8
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.
Proverbs 3:21-26
My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Proverbs 8:12-16
“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. All who fear the LORD will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech. Good advice and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments.
Proverbs 9:10-12
Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding.
Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
Proverbs 10:24
The fears of the wicked will all come true; so will the hopes of the godly.
Proverbs 10:27
Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Proverbs 14:26
Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a refuge for their children.
Proverbs 14:27
Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
Proverbs 15:16
It is better to have little with fear of the LORD than to have great treasure with turmoil.
Proverbs 15:33
Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor.
Proverbs 16:6
Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin; evil is avoided by fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 19:23
Fear of the LORD gives life, security, and protection from harm.
Proverbs 20:2
The king’s fury is like a lion’s roar; to rouse his anger is to risk your life.
Proverbs 22:4
True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life.
Proverbs 23:17-18
Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. For surely you have a future ahead of you; your hope will not be disappointed.
Proverbs 24:21-22
My child, fear the LORD and the king, and don’t associate with rebels. For you will go down with them to sudden disaster. Who knows where the punishment from the LORD and the king will end?
Proverbs 29:25
Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the LORD means safety.
Romans 3:9-26
Well then, are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. As the Scriptures say,
“No one is good-
not even one.
No one has real understanding;
no one is seeking God.
All have turned away from God;
all have gone wrong.
No one does good.
not even one.”
“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their speech is filled with lies.”
“The poison of a deadly snake drips from their lips.”
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
“They are quick to commit murder.
Wherever they go, destruction and misery follow them.
They do not know what true peace is.”
“They have no fear of God to restrain them.”
Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God. For no one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it.
But now God has shown us a different way of being right in his sight – not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us. God was being entirely fair and just when he did not punish those who sinned in former times. And he is entirely fair and just in this present time when he declares sinners to be right in his sight because they believe in Jesus.
Romans 8:12-17
So, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you keep on following it, you will perish. But if through the power of the Holy Spirit you turn from it and its evil deeds, you will live.
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family – calling him “Father, dear Father.”
For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures – for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God.
Philippians 2:12-18 Side note: This was Paul speaking to the Philippian church.
Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God’s saving work in our lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless. But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you.
And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.