What is Fear in the Bible? We have looked at fear of the unknown, the causes of fear, and the effects of fear. But what does the Bible have to say about fear?
We’ve raised up some verses in each of the other topics but is there more to it? Yes! There is. Remember I said that there were over 365 verses on fear? It is such an important topic to Him that there are enough verses for us to study this for a FULL YEAR and more! Why would He do that?
Because the enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy. And is the father of lies. God came to give us life so that we could live it to the full! (John 10:10 ESV) He does not want us to live in fear and believe the lies of the devil.
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 ESV). He is the one for us to believe in and find the fullness of life!
and we are more valuable!
Fear of the Lord: The Best Fear in the Bible
So is there really a BEST kind of fear in the Bible? YES! There is. God tells us over and over again in scripture to Fear Him and and Him alone.
This fear is a reverential type of fear. Yes, we could fear Him because He is so powerful. However, we ‘fear’ Him because He is our God and we respect Him for who He is. And all that He can do and provide for us.
The Lord cares for us more than anything!
God values us and cares for us. If He is so thoughtful to care for the birds, He will do so much more in caring for us.
Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31 ESV
God’s work is known so we fear Him
Habakkuk prayed to God. He heard of God’s Work, and he told him that he fears him.
“O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2 ESV
He wanted God to restore and revive life. He wanted God to become known to all. And he wanted God to have mercy as He remembered them. To not let His anger overshadow His great compassion for them.
He is God Almighty – we should Fear Him alone!
Just prior in the passage about caring for us even more than the sparrows, Jesus is telling the disciples about the persecution they will encounter as they speak about Him.
He tells them not to fear these people. Yes, these people could possibly harm you or even kill you. But God, the one who created the heavens and the earth, He is the one to fear. God determines whether we escape the 2nd death – to spend eternity in hell or not.
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 ESV
God is the one to fear. He came to give us a full life. A relationship is what He wants with us. That relationship is for us to spend time with Him now and to spend all of eternity in heaven with Him. If you don’t have a relationship with God and would like one, check out You can Know Peace with God.
Practical Fear of the Lord
So how do we fear the Lord then? Do we walk around on pins and needles wondering if He is going to strike us dead? No, not at all.
He loves us and came to give us life, remember? He wants our obedience.
In life there are rules and we need to obey them so we don’t get hurt. They are there to protect us. We tell small children not to touch a hot stove because it will burn them.
God gave us the 10 commandments and other instructions for us to obey for our protection as well. When we act in obedience, we are showing our fear of the Lord.
Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Colossians 3:22 ESV
In that same passage, Paul told the Colossians that in whatever they do, in their work, their life, anything – they should do it for the Lord and not for the approval of men.
And this is such a hard lesson that I have learned and am still learning. For many years, I have worked and wanted the approval of others. I look on in awe of them and want to be like them. Instead, my awe should be on God –not anyone else. In fact, we don’t need God’s approval for any work we do. We receive salvation through faith. God’s approval of us comes through the finished work of Jesus on the cross.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
Biblical Example of Fearing God: Levi
Levi, the priest, honored and feared God. He instructed the people from God’s Word, turned from sin, and spoke truthfully and rightly. He was righteous and walked with God in peace.
My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him. It was a covenant of fear, and he feared me. He stood in awe of my name. Malachi 2:5 ESV
Oh to be like Levi! To walk as he did. Because he feared God alone and was in awe of His name. Levi had a life of peace.
Fear in the Bible: Benefits of Fearing the Lord
A Safe Harbor
A harbor provides shelter and safety from the rougher waters. The Lord is like that for those who fear Him. The word stronghold means harbor. When we are held within the safety of the harbor, we don’t need to fear anything. God is our safe harbor.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 ESV
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Psalm 34:7 ESV
This safety is found with angels protecting and deliverance for us as well. It is nice to know that we have guardian angels watching over us. The world is full of evil, and the demons are all around us. We may never know how many times the Lord’s angels have protected us from them.
Provides Food
There are so many who are hungry and without food, especially these days. It is a great promise that He will provide even food for those who fear Him.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. Psalm 111:5 ESV
Confidence
There are days we struggle to figure out how we will make it through. But God gives us confidence and is a refuge for our children. He has a plan for all things. All though we may not see it, He is working behind the scenes. I heard today on a podcast that if we doubt how He can resolve the issues, we are looking at them from our limited perspective. We need to trust Him for His perspective to work it all out for His Glory.
In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. Proverbs 14:26 ESV
Steadfast Love to all Generations
God provides us with his love that is faithful. And it comes with righteousness for our children and grandchildren. What a legacy to leave! It is one of reverential fear of the Lord, with God’s love and righteousness as well. I am all in for a legacy like that left behind!
But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children. Psalm 103:17 ESV
Prolonged Life
I talked about how fear can shorten our life in the Effects of Fear on the Body and Life. Fear wreaks havoc on our bodies and our minds. If we don’t give in to fear, that torture of our bodies does not happen. And then we live a longer life! God knew what He was talking about when He gave this to Solomon to write!
This is a picture of my Grandma on her 96th birthday. She lived to be 100 years old and passed in 2020. She is an example of someone who feared the Lord AND had a long life.
The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short. Proverbs 10:27 ESV
Fear of the Lord and the Unsaved
As stated above, one of the benefits of fearing the Lord is having confidence. And that confidence gives you the boldness to share the Lord with others.
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:14 ESV
Oh, Lord, give me “much bold(ness) to speak the word without fear!”
And with that boldness, we need to have mercy for those around us. And in this passage, Jude is telling us to fear that they may not have a chance to have a relationship with God.
Save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:23 ESV
We need to hate the sin that totally encases them but love them. Help them to see the love that our heavenly Father has for all of them.
Fear in the Bible: Our whole duty!
This verse below really sums up what it means to fear God.
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV
When you think about God’s greatest commandments, we are to Love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31 ESV).
As we are loving God with all of our whole being (heart, mind, soul, and strength), we are fearing Him. And we are keeping His commandments by not only loving Him but loving others around us.
So friend, go from here – FEAR GOD alone and keep His commandments. That is our whole duty for today and every day!
Fear in the Bible: Reflection Thoughts
- What is keeping you from putting all your trust in God and totally fearing Him alone?
- Spend time in prayer and journaling on that. Ask Him to forgive your unbelief and that He will help you believe that He will provide all that you need.
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