FEAR: SHUTTING GOD OUT
The admonition to “fear not” is frequently repeated in Scripture. Fear is described as bondage, torment, and a snare. Often the phrase “nor be dismayed” (lit. “torn apart,” “panicked”) accompanies the command to “fear not.”
Scripture offers a long list of things about which we are not to worry: provision, enemies, other gods, death, armies and wars , reputation, evil days, children, the future, sudden terror, safety, events beyond our control, health, fearful thoughts, words of others, and suffering.
Reasons are also given for not fearing: you are His creation; He fights for you; you are loved; He is your helper; you are more valuable than the sparrows. The reason given most often is God’s presence. You do not need to ask for God’s presence—He is with you; you have His word on it. But you often need to ask for an awareness of His presence. This awareness is most often promtped by remembering His faithfulness in the past.
The Woman’s Study Bible.
Here's some verses for you when you are worried or fearful:
Romans 8:15 —For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” *
1 John 4:18 —There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. *
Proverbs 29:25 —Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Matthew 6:25 —“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? *
Deuteronomy 1:21 —See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” *
Psalm 23:4 —Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. *
Psalm 27:3 —Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. *
Psalm 49:5 —Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— *
Proverbs 3:25–26 —Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, *for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. *
Matthew 10:28 —Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. *
Matthew 8:26 —He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. *
Philippians 4:6–7 —Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. *And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. *
1 Peter 3:14 —But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” *
Revelation 2:10 —Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. *
Isaiah 44:2 —This is what the Lord says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. *
Exodus 14:13 —Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. *
Hebrews 13:6 —So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” *
Luke 12:7 —Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. *
Genesis 26:24 —That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” *
Deuteronomy 31:8 —The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” *
Romans 8:15 —For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” *
Isaiah 41:10–14 —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. *“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. *Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. *For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. *Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. *
Deuteronomy 7:18–19 —But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. *You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. *
Joshua 1:9 —Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” *
Matthew 14:27 —But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” *
2 Corinthians 4:1 —Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. *
Matthew 17:7 —But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” *
1 Chronicles 22:13 —Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. *
The admonition to “fear not” is frequently repeated in Scripture. Fear is described as bondage, torment, and a snare. Often the phrase “nor be dismayed” (lit. “torn apart,” “panicked”) accompanies the command to “fear not.”
Scripture offers a long list of things about which we are not to worry: provision, enemies, other gods, death, armies and wars , reputation, evil days, children, the future, sudden terror, safety, events beyond our control, health, fearful thoughts, words of others, and suffering.
Reasons are also given for not fearing: you are His creation; He fights for you; you are loved; He is your helper; you are more valuable than the sparrows. The reason given most often is God’s presence. You do not need to ask for God’s presence—He is with you; you have His word on it. But you often need to ask for an awareness of His presence. This awareness is most often promtped by remembering His faithfulness in the past.
The Woman’s Study Bible.
Here's some verses for you when you are worried or fearful:
Romans 8:15 —For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” *
1 John 4:18 —There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. *
Proverbs 29:25 —Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.
Matthew 6:25 —“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? *
Deuteronomy 1:21 —See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” *
Psalm 23:4 —Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. *
Psalm 27:3 —Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. *
Psalm 49:5 —Why should I fear when evil days come, when wicked deceivers surround me— *
Proverbs 3:25–26 —Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, *for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. *
Matthew 10:28 —Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. *
Matthew 8:26 —He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. *
Philippians 4:6–7 —Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. *And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. *
1 Peter 3:14 —But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.” *
Revelation 2:10 —Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. *
Isaiah 44:2 —This is what the Lord says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. *
Exodus 14:13 —Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. *
Hebrews 13:6 —So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” *
Luke 12:7 —Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. *
Genesis 26:24 —That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” *
Deuteronomy 31:8 —The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” *
Romans 8:15 —For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” *
Isaiah 41:10–14 —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. *“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. *Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. *For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. *Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. *
Deuteronomy 7:18–19 —But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. *You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. *
Joshua 1:9 —Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” *
Matthew 14:27 —But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” *
2 Corinthians 4:1 —Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. *
Matthew 17:7 —But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” *
1 Chronicles 22:13 —Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. *
Psalm 34:4–7
—I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my
fears. *Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never
covered with shame. *This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he
saved him out of all his troubles. *The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and he delivers them. *
Psalm 46:1–3 —God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. *Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, *though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah *
John 14:1 —“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. *
2 Timothy 1:7 —for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. *
Psalm 46:1–3 —God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. *Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, *though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah *
John 14:1 —“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. *
2 Timothy 1:7 —for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. *
Fear can be a bad source of pain
ReplyDeleteGod didnt make us to fear right?
This is a sin and a result of sin. I see fear as a disease...
Very true and a good way of looking at it!
ReplyDelete