What is fear?

A few months ago I was asked to speak at a women's retreat and the theme was Fearless. That theme made me seek the scriptures concerning fear. I was amazed to find these 3 examples of fear in the bible.

In Joshua 1:9 the term used is terrified. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” In this passage God is specifically talking to Joshua after the death of Moses. He is telling him what was commanded, the word tremble is also afraid, terrified, or frightened. This type of fear is paralyzing, it doesn’t allow you to move because you fear the outcome, process and people involved. How many of us have ever felt this kind of fear? You were afraid to make a decision because of all it would entail. Or you were afraid to follow God into unchartered waters because you didn’t know what to expect. Well in the Hebrew/Greek study bible it states that, those who are living in obedience to Him have no need to fear anyone or anything else. Which means we can trust God if He is leading us to make a decision or to follow Him that there is no need for fear or be paralyzed.

In Genesis 3:10 the term used is afraid. He said, “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.”  In this passage it is man speaking to God because of his sin He was afraid to stand before the Holy God. This type of fear makes us afraid of punishment we believe that our sin is so massive that God will not be pleased to be in our presence and be unwilling to forgive us. How many of us have ever felt that way? You sinned and you knew that you willfully did it and you hid from the Lord, you didn’t want to pray, or talk to other believers. In the Hebrew/Greek study bible it states that, this type of fear is the emotional and intellectual anticipation of harm or danger; the sense of dread. But as a believer we rest on I John 2:1 and Hebrews 4:16.

In Psalm 111:10 the term used is the same as Genesis 3:10 yet in this passage it is referring not to the dread of punishment but rather the reverence of God. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever. 
You see fear can be defined as being terrified and thus not wanting to pursue the things God has commanded. Or fear can be defined as unwilling to approach God in repentance because of the dread of punishment. Lastly fear can be defined as the reverence for God that leads us to obey Him regardless of how we feel or what we think will happen to us.

I pray that today you pray and ask God to help you cast off the fear that inhibits you from moving forward. I also pray that you approach God in the midst of your sin because He desires to forgive you. Lastly, I pray that you reverence the Lord today.

Be blessed

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