Today we will begin our sermon series on “The Bible and Emotional Problems.” The first topic we’ll talk about is “Fear,” which will be discussed in two sermons. Psychologists tell us that we are born with two fears: falling and noise, but we soon develop many more. Members of a psychology class asked 500 people, “What are you afraid of?” Those 500 people listed 7,000 fears!
Besides fear, there is a phobia, excessive fear, or anxiety related to specific objects or situations out of proportion to the actual danger they present. According to therapists, below are the top ten phobias:
- Social phobia.
- Claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces). It is believed that about 5% of the population suffers from claustrophobia.
- Zoophobia (an umbrella term that involves an extreme fear of certain animals).
- Brontophobia (fear of thunder and thunderstorms).
- Acrophobia (fear of heights).
- Blood, Injury. and injection (BII) phobia (trypanophobia - fear of receiving an injection).
- Odontophobia (fear of visiting a dentist).
- Aerophobia (fear of flying).
- Atychiphobia (fear of failure).
- Thanatophobia (fear of death).
- Nosophobia (fear of developing a disease).
Recently there is a new phobia call nomophobia, or a fear of being without a cellphone. The good news is, according to therapists, phobias are pretty common and treatable mental health conditions.
What does the Bible say about fear? According to Stuart Scott in his book, “Anger, Anxiety, and Fear,” there are two kinds of fear: 1) Godly fear and 2) Ungodly fear.
1) Godly fear has two parts: A) the fear of God and B) reasonable fear of danger or difficulty. When our fears fall into these categories, we are not sinning.
A) The fear of God is an acknowledgment of and awe of who God is, which causes either complete and glad submission to His loving will or terror of His judgment. We are all commanded to fear God (Deuteronomy 13:4 - It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him). The one who loves God and delights in His will fears God as he should. This kind of fear is holy and wise and will keep us from ungodly fear. This kind leads to: - Holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1 - “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”) - Working out our salvation (Philippians 2:12 - “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”) - Evangelism (2 Corinthians 5:11 - “Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.”)
B) Reasonable fear of danger or difficulty is our bodies’ normal reaction to actual danger or disaster. For example, when we are sleeping, and suddenly our bedrooms are shaking because of an earthquake. Or robbers come to our house and threaten to harm us. In those situations, it is normal to fear. Proverbs 22:3 advises us, “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.”
2) The second kind of fear is the ungodly fear that we are commanded not to have because Jesus says in John 14:1, 27 - “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me … Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This is synonymous with dread, alarm, fright, terror, apprehension, anxiety, perplexity, and distrust. This kind of fear is forbidden. This type of fear is not to be confused with caution. For example, fear of being run over will cause one to look both ways before crossing the street. Also, fear of Covid-19 or other viruses will cause one to take the vaccines. These types of fears are normal and reasonable.
Ungodly fear is an intimidating and often paralyzing fear. Research has shown that 85% of men's emotional and physical ills are brought on by fear. Any time we cease to focus on God and others because of fear, we are experiencing ungodly fear. When we do this, we are focused on ourselves. Whenever we fail to do what we should do just because we are afraid of what might happen, we are fearful in an ungodly way like “The Parable of the Bags of Gold” in Matthew 25:14-26. We are also fearful in a way that displeases God when we, without basis, are convinced that something dreadful will happen. And more than that, when we give in to ungodly fear, we are calling God a liar because we do not believe that He will fulfill His promises (Numbers 23:19 - “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”)
Stuart Scott summarizes ungodly fear as follows:
1. Ungodly fear relates to what we think incorrectly.
2. Ungodly fear focuses on the circumstances rather than on God.
3. Ungodly fear focuses on self.
4. When we are engaged in ungodly fear, we fear something else more than we fear God.
5. Ungodly fear will most likely motivate us to commit other sins.
6. Ungodly fear accomplishes nothing worthwhile.
7. Not being right with God can lead to fear and anxiety.
Knowing those two kinds of fear is essential so that we fear what we should fear, and we do not fear what we should not fear. Therefore, when you fear, ask yourself, “Is it something that I should fear or not?”
Here are some examples of things that we should not fear and what the Bible says about them:
- Fear of failure. Because of this fear, Moses made excuses not to receive God’s call (Exodus 3). Fear of failure caused the one-talent man to do nothing (Matthew 25:25). 1 Corinthians 15:58 reminds us that we must do the best we can and leave the results in the hands of God.
- Fear of the unknown future. Many people, sadly including Christians, have this fear. They forget that God holds their future. In Jeremiah 29:11, God promised the Israelites: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I believe that is God’s promise to us who walk with Him and obey Him.
- Fear of responsibility. Because of this, the one-talent man did not assume his responsibility (Matthew 25:25). This fear also will keep us from our responsibility of being fishers of men (Luke 5:10b – “Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”)
- Fear of old age. Yet, the Bible teaches that He will take care of us to old age (see Isaiah 46:4 - “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you”) and that honor and glory are attached to old age (see Proverbs 16:31 – “Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness”). Some of the most significant accomplishments in life have been accomplished by the elderly. Webster wrote his dictionary at age 70. Moses was 80 when he led Israel out of bondage. Realize also that old age is but an indication that one is nearer his home.
- Fear of insecurity. Jesus went to great lengths, teaching man that he should not have such fears (Matthew 6:24-34). God has always provided for his own and will continue to do so (Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”).
- Fear what others will say and think about them or do to them. This type of fear often causing one to do wrong. Because of fear, Peter denied the Lord (Matthew 26:69-75). Fear caused Peter to be guilty of hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14). Fear often keeps one from taking a stand for truth.
- Fear of death. Many are slaves to the fear of death (Hebrews 2:15 – “and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death”). The fear of death can be removed when men realize: That it is inevitable (Hebrews 9:27 – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”). That death will take us to be with Jesus in heaven forever (Philippians 1:21-23; John 14:1-3).
There is no place in the kingdom of God for the fearful because we are in a battle against Satan, and we need people of courage. That is why Paul reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” I want to close this message by inviting you to meditate on Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God told us not to fear!
Here are His reasons:
a. “For I am with you.”
b. “I am your God.”
c. “I will strengthen you.”
d. “I will help you.”
e. “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
When you fear, tell yourself:
a. God is with me.
b. God is my God.
c. God will strengthen me.
d. God will help me.
e. God will uphold me.
May the Lord help us overcome our ungodly fears so that we may experience His peace!
