How One Kind of Fear Can Be Strong, Good, and Beneficial for Us

Jul 6

Jul 6 How One Kind of Fear Can Be Strong, Good, and Beneficial for Us

Proverbs Devo, God's Word, Personal Faith, Wisdom

2 different kinds of fear

Western culture typically portrays fear as a weakness. It’s not seen as a strength. Think of the horror stories and sci-fi movies that feed off fear as the major attraction. They use fear as intrigue to keep viewers watching.

I’m fascinated with the popularity of stories and movies featuring demons, zombies, and wicked antiheroes. Why do they garner so much interest? I have a theory.

People are far more willing to believe in supernatural powers and beings other than God. It seems easier for many to accept imaginary superheroes than to believe in God, who is literally supernatural by nature.

My theory? Belief in imaginary heroes is just that—belief. It requires nothing more than imagination—ours or someone else’s. Belief in God carries a sense of responsibility. Since God is supernatural—beyond and sovereign over what is natural—we ought to respect Him.

But that responsibility to respect God invades our view of human independence and self-will.

Here is where understanding the fear of God is important. The fear of God is often misunderstood. It's common for people to confuse the general idea of fear with the fear of God, but they're different.

The fear of God is not a fear of anxiety. Nor is it irrational. But the fear of imaginary antiheroes or superheroes promotes anxiety and is irrational.

Some relegate the fear of God to being an Old Testament concept that no longer applies to followers of Jesus under the New Covenant of grace.

After all, when we see Jesus in the Gospels, we see a man who gives Himself as a sacrifice for the salvation of humanity—a gift of perfect love, and who heals people and has concern for the outcasts.

The simplest definition of the fear of God is reverence.

But the fear of God, as expressed in several places in the Bible, speaks of respect, awe, holiness, and so much more. We find similar phrases throughout the Bible, such as godly fear or the fear of the Lord, probably more than you might think.

In these verses in Proverbs, the fear of God is "a fountain of life," and a place of refuge and strong confidence. The fear of God as a fountain of life is based on a relationship with God and a personal response to His sovereignty as Almighty God.

The "strong confidence" comes from a trust in God because of who He is—much like a young child who looks up to and trusts in the strength of a parent. How many times has a child said something like, "My dad is bigger and stronger than your dad!"

Many times, Scripture describes the Lord as a place of refuge. This is not an actual physical place of security, but a sense of safety and rest based on a trusting relationship with God. God is sovereign. He rules over all and is greater than all and can always be trusted.

How can the fear of God be a "fountain of life?"

Scripture

In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence,
and his children will have a place of refuge.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life
to turn ⌊one⌋ away from the grasp of death. (Proverbs 14:26-27 GW)
(Context—Proverbs 14:20-33 GW)

Proverbs 14

Simple Insights

God is the Creator and Originator of all life. When a person has an awe and respect for God that is worshipful, they tap into the One who truly holds our life in His hands, as the children’s song goes.

Here is something Jesus said about fearing God and anxious fear—

Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s permission. Every hair on your head has been counted. Don’t be afraid! You are worth more than many sparrows. (Matt 10:28-31 GW)

Jesus declares that the fear of God is stronger and more valuable than the anxious fear we may have of others. So, the fear of God—reverence for God—is a counter to anxious fear.

This is what the apostle John refers to when he says—

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)

One last thought on the fear of God as a fountain of life—the book of Proverbs begins with this—

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. (Prov 1:7 GW)

The fear of God—or the fear of the Lord—is love with awe and respect for Him—a perfect love that pushes out anxious fear when we choose to trust in the Lord.

Reflection—

Which do you choose to rule over your heart and life? Anxious fear or the fear of God? Jesus declares that the fear of God is stronger and more valuable than the anxious fear we may have of others.

Prayer Focus—

If anxious fear seems to have a powerful grip in your life, consciously and prayerfully remind yourself of God's greatness, His sovereignty over all, and His perfect love. Look up all the references to the fear of God (fear of the Lord) and consider these truths as you pray and entrust your life to the Lord.

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