Fear – An attitude of anxiety or distress, caused by concern over a threat to one’s future. Scripture provides numerous examples of situations in which fear is experienced. It declares, however, that God alone is to be feared, and moments of human fear can be opportunities for deepening faith in him.
God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7
A reverent fear of God commended
Pr 1:7 See also Deut 6:13; 31:12-13; Jos 4:24; 24:14; 1Sa 12:24; Ps 2:11; 34:7-9; Pr 15:33; Ecc 12:13; Isa 33:6; Rev 14:7
Fear of natural phenomena
Ps 91:5; Jnh 1:4-5 See also Ge 19:30; Job 5:22; Ecc 12:5; Isa 7:25; Mt 8:26; Rev 11:13
Fear of the unnatural
Fear of thoughts and visions Da 4:5; Ac 10:4 Also see: 1Sa 3:15; Job 4:13-15; Isa 21:4; Da 8:17; 10:11-12; Mt 1:20; 28:4; Lk 1:12-13,29-30; 2:9-10
Fear of the unknown or the abnormal Mt 14:26-27 pp Mk 6:50 pp Jn 6:19-20 Ac 5:5 See also Ex 20:18; 34:30 The radiance of Moses’ face reflected God’s glory and made the Israelites afraid; Deut 5:5; 1Sa 4:7; Ne 6:16; Jer 10:2; Da 5:9 Belshazzar’s fear at the writing on the wall; Jnh 1:10; Mt 17:6 the fear of the disciples at the transfiguration; Mt 27:54; Mk 5:33; 9:32; 16:8; Lk 5:10; 8:37 Fear seized the people when the Gerasene demoniac was healed; Lk 9:34; Jn 19:8; Ac 19:17
Fear of embarrassment or shame
Ge 3:10 See also Isa 54:4; Jn 3:20; 2Co 12:20
Fear of the future
Jer 51:46 See also Isa 41:23; Mk 10:32; Lk 12:32; Ac 27:24
Fear of persecution
Ezr 4:4; Jn 12:42-43 See also 1Ki 19:3; Jn 7:13; 9:22; 20:19; 1Pe 3:14; Rev 2:10
Fear of death
Heb 2:14-15 See also Ps 55:4-5; Mk 5:36 pp Lk 8:50; Ac 23:10
Fear of people
Of enemies Ex 14:10; 1Sa 7:7 Also see: Nu 22:3; Jdg 7:3; 1Sa 17:24,11; 2Sa 10:19; 2Ch 12:5; Ps 27:1-3; 56:1-4; Isa 20:5; 41:5; Jer 22:25; 41:18
Of one’s own family Ge 32:11; 45:3; Jdg 9:21 Also see: Ge 31:31; 32:7; 42:4; 50:19; Jdg 6:27
Of particular people 1Sa 15:24; 1Co 2:3 Also see: Ge 26:7; Ex 2:14; Deut 2:4; 1Sa 18:15 Saul’s fear of David; 2Sa 3:11; Ne 2:2 Nehemiah’s fear before the king; Est 7:6; Jer 26:21; 38:19; Mt 2:22; Mk 12:12; Lk 19:21; Ac 9:26 the disciples fear of Paul, not believing his conversion; 1Co 16:10; 2Co 7:15; Gal 2:12
Of human beings in general Pr 29:25 Also see: Deut 1:17; Isa 51:7
Fear of judgment
Eze 11:8; Ac 24:25 Also see: 1Sa 28:20; 1Ch 21:30; Isa 33:14; Jer 17:18; 30:5; 42:15-16; Eze 12:18; 27:35; Zec 9:5; 1Jn 4:18 Christians, assured of God’s love, no longer fear judgment; Rev 18:10,15
Fear as a deterrent
Ro 13:4 Also see: Deut 13:11; 17:13; 19:20; 21:21; Job 19:28-29
Fear as an opportunity for faith
Deut 1:21; Ps 23:4; Pr 3:25-26; Mt 10:29-31 Also see: Ex 14:13; Deut 1:29; 7:18-21; 31:6; Jos 11:6; Ne 4:14; Ps 3:6; 34:4; 49:5; 56:3; Isa 10:24; 35:3-4; 41:14; 43:5; 44:8; 51:12; Jer 1:8,17; 30:10; 42:11; 46:27; Eze 2:6; 3:9; Da 10:19; Mt 8:26 pp Mk 4:40 pp Lk 8:25; Mk 6:49-51; Jn 14:27
Lord Jesus, I believe you are the son of God, and you died for my sins and rose again from the dead, I trust you for cleansing and forgiveness, and you have received me as a Child of God. If there is any resentment or unforgiveness for anyone, I lay it at your feet and ask you to forgive me. I ask your forgiveness for being involved in other religions, witchcraft, or the occult seeking other gods. I acknowledge this as sin and loose myself right now in Jesus name. And now, Lord Jesus, I come to and yield my body, mind, and spirit to you. I give you my all. I surrender my tongue to you to be an instrument of righteousness to worship you in a new language. By faith, I receive it now, Lord in Jesus name. Amen.