The Bible on Fear
There are several types of Fear. There is the Fear of the Lord, things we ought to be afraid of, and things we ought not to be afraid of. When we finish discussing these things, we will look at what you can do to overcome the Spirit of Fear in your life.
I Fear of the LORD
Deut 10:12-22
A. Fear God-means to respect and honor him, to realize and confess how awesome and holy and righteous God is and how insignificant and sinful and wretched we are without Christ in comparison to His glory.
B. This Fear of the Lord is what drives us into the embrace of His grace.
C. For the Christian, this means recognizing that we are nothing w/o God and not taking His grace for Granted; again, revering and honoring God.
Romans 7:24-8:3
A While we possess a sin nature, God sent his son to rescue us from our sinful nature. Because of this, there is no more condemnation for Christians.
B Condemnatory thoughts are from Satan, not God. The devil condemns, but God convicts us so we will come to him in repentance. To test a thought, ask yourself what is the end? Does it inflict "sorrow unto death" or "sorrow unto repentance"?
II What you should be afraid of.
Matthew 4:5-7
A) Do not put the Lord your God to the Test--if you are standing in the middle of oncoming traffic, then you should be afraid of getting hit by a car!
B) Sin is like trying to cross the street when the light is green w/o a cross walk during rush hour.
III What you should not be afraid of
Psalm 27:1-3
A When God is with you, you need fear no more!
B) If you are afraid, you either a) Don't think God is with you or b) don't believe that God is strong enough to help you.
Proverbs 29:25 Fear of man is a snare--Trusting God is the opposite of being afraid!
Isaiah 51:7-8 don't fear men's insults, they will be destroyed
Luke 12:4-7 don't fear those who can destroy your body but can't harm your soul
1 John 4:15-18 & 2 Timothy 1:7
A) Fear is a satanic strong hold
B) Fear robs you of your freedom in Christ and keeps you from bearing fruit.