What is Fear?

What is Fear?

(Psalm 56:11; Proverbs 1:7)

Yearly Theme:  “Joy is…”

Series Title:  “The Joy of Wisdom”

June 7^th, 2020

Something to think about:

This month, as we come back together after two-months of staying at home due to a global pandemic called the “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19,” we can relate to generations in times past who have gone through seasons of upheaval and chaos that has struck fear in the hearts of men, women, and children alike.  But, how should we handle fear?  Should we let it consume us?  For that matter, how do we even define fear?

According to Webster’s Dictionary, fear is:

FEAR, noun [See the Verb.][1]

1. A painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. fearexpresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. The force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed, fear dread, terror, fright. fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon the thought of future evil likely to befall us.

2. In scripture, fearis used to express a filial or a slavish passion. In good men, the fear of God is a holy awe or reverence of God and his laws, which springs from a just view and real love of the divine character, leading the subjects of it to hate and shun everything that can offend such a holy being, and inclining them to aim at perfect obedience. This is filial fear

I will put my fear in their hearts (Jeremiah 32:39).

Slavish fear is the effect or consequence of guilt; it is the painful apprehension of merited punishment (Romans 8:15).

Perfect love (or, the love of God) casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

Though there is cause for slavish fear in every generation, there is a filial fear of God that should rule the hearts of men and women of faith and keep them undaunted from the worry and anxiety of the world.

Key Point:  “Fear of man fosters ignorance; fear of God brings true knowledge and wisdom.”

Let’s break down at these two types of fear today:

• Fear of Man.

Psalm 56:11 (NKJV), In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Which leads me to the second type of fear, the…

• Fear of God.

Proverbs 1:7 (NLT), Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Something to take home:

Where the fear of God exists, the presence of God dwells, and order comes out of chaos.  Where the fear of man exists (and the fear of God does not) the moral fabric of a society unravels, and the conscience of mankind dulled.

Have we been lulled to sleep by fearing man more than fearing God?  It’s time for the church to awaken to the reality of the might and majesty of God once again; to fervently seek Him in all His glorious splendor, and worship Him in spirit and in truth.  It’s time for the church to cast off restrain with regard to our love for God, and stand in awe at the power and authority that comes from His throne.  It’s time to fall on our knees in worship and in repentance, seeking His face and listening to His Word, and operating out of the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit.

It’s time once again for the church to not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; it is the power of God at work saving everyone who believes![2]

Key Point:  “Fear of man fosters ignorance; fear of God brings true knowledge and wisdom.”

[1] http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/fear

[2] Romans 1:16.