What Does the Bible Say About Living in Fear?
Fear is an interesting subject for everyone, even for non-Christians.
Everyone experiences fear. As a kid, you probably feared going to the doctor and getting a shot. In high school, you experienced fear of rejection, which I believe most of us go through during our adolescent years, almost like a rite of passage. You fear about going to a job interview. You fear about going into tightly-packed trains because you never know when something could go wrong—a mechanical failure, or a terrorist attack.
Simply put, fear is universal. Same as the feeling of falling and being in love. But what the Bible really say about fear? What does God teach us about not living in fear? Let's find out.
First let's learn about fear from a Biblical perspective:
"He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Rev 21:7-8
Another quote:
"The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?" Psa 118:6
The Bible says "fear not" almost 70 times from cover to cover. In the first quote, God made it clear enough that the fearful shall not inherit His Kingdom. Fear exists. The Bible doesn't deny it. But the Bible wants us human beings – God's own creation – to stand up to fear and rise above it. Living in fear is succumbing to the wishes of the devil. If you can cast fear aside, then God will accept you and you shall become His son, as stated in the Bible verses.
Remember that Jesus was fearful during the last hours of his life. He knew he would have to suffer in order to save mankind, suffer as a simple man and not as the Son of God. But he eventually overcame his fear and fulfilled his mission, and three days later he rose from the dead to take his rightful place in the Kingdom of God.
Jesus overcame fear because he believed in God's love for all his creations. The Bible verses say:
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32
"I in them, and You in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them, as you have loved me." John 17:23
Do not live in fear. Living in fear is robbing yourself the opportunity to appreciate the life God has given you. Fear is the work of the devil, and you should not succumb to it. As the Bible likes to say, "fear not!"
"What Does the Bible Say About Living in Fear?", was submitted 01/29/2012 under category Religion.
