What does the Bible say about fear?
…for God gave us not a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.
In this word study I’m going to look at what the Bible says about fear.
I’m going to post this from my own point of view. I’m tempted to “teach” you how to study the Bible, but mine is not the only way. This is how I study the Bible. I’m opening up my process to you. I invite you to join me.
I’ll begin with a high-level overview, taking note of what the definition of the word is, what its synonyms and antonyms are, and how often and where it occurs in the Bible.
Then I’ll look for some common themes or contexts in which the word is used throughout the Bible, and study the word in each of those contexts.
Finally, I’ll summarize what I’ve learned about the word from the Bible, and seek to describe how I can apply what I’ve learned to my life and my walk with God.
But first, I’ll share my motivation for this study.
Why this study?
Whenever I study the Bible, it’s usually prompted by God putting something on my heart, and it usually won’t let go until I dig in. It has been on my heart for several months now to do a proper bible study on fear.
Fear is a powerful emotion that can be very detrimental to us. What’s worse is that it is an easy emotion to manipulate. And it’s also something that can stop us from living the life that God wants us to live. That being said, I believe it is important for us to know what the Bible teaches about fear so that we do not waiver in our faith, or fall prey to the world.
My interest in this topic started in late 2021 when an executive order was issued mandating that companies had to start requiring their employees to get vaccinated for COVID-19, but there were exemptions offered to those who had medical or religious reasons not to get the vaccines.
I was not worried about the virus because I already had it and got over it in a few days, and I didn't trust the vaccines so I didn't want to get them. I couldn't get a medical waiver so I opted to file for a religious accommodation. I was conflicted because I didn't want to make any false claims about my faith just to get the exemption, but I also believed that God would take care of my family and me if I lost my job because of this mandate.
I prayed about it and God put in my heart to just tell the truth and say what I had to say. They would either grant me the waiver, or they wouldn’t - either way I was in God’s hands.
What started out as something I was writing in a defensive manner, turned into something that I took as an open invitation to share God’s word with anyone who would be reading my request. It turned out not to be not a doctrinal point against vaccination, but rather a statement that I trust God and am not going to give in to fear.
Since submitting this request I have not heard anything more about this waiver or the mandates. God is truly faithful, and we really do not have to worry when we put ourselves in His hands!
Here is what I submitted:
Please provide a detailed narrative as to why a Covid-19 vaccination specifically violates your religious belief or practice that necessitates this request for accommodation.
As a Christian, I believe in the healing power of prayer. My family and I have already had covid, and we all recovered from it. And I give thanks to God for healing us and keeping us healthy.
I also believe that God has always taken care of me and led me to be wherever He wants me to be. I have no complaints and am willing to continue putting my faith in Him to guide me and take care of me for as long as He wills me to be here. We all get sick, and we all die. That is a fact of life, and there is no point in trying to deny it. If you deem me to be unacceptable to you, I know that I am still accepted by Him. Thank you Lord for your love and mercy and grace.
But let me be less defensive. It is said that the Bible tells us to “fear not” 365 times; one for every day of the year (disclaimer: I have not personally fact-checked this). These are times of great turmoil in the world, and many people are overtaken by fear, so, rather than explain to you why I am not afraid, I will point you to a source of peace so that you might not be afraid either. I won’t list all 365 references here, but here are a few that might be of some help to you.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” – Matthew 6:34
“Do not be afraid, but only believe.” – Mark 5:36
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” – Proverbs 29:25
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” – Psalm 118:6
“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” – Matthew 10:26
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” – 1 Peter 3:13-17
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23
If I was to prepare a sermon on this topic I might reference the above passages in that order. And note that they are not to be read as individual quotes, but as a complete narrative.
Thank you for your consideration, and may God have mercy on us all.
Live By Faith
I’m sharing this with you because I want to encourage you to live by faith - to put your faith into practice - especially when challenges show up, and hope seems to be lost.
I’m not studying fear because I am afraid, but because God has given me the faith to not give in to fear. I am studying it to know how to stand against it when the enemy tries to wield it against me again in the future. I want to know how to root it out of my life, and I want to make sure that I am ready to defend my faith whenever I have to.
I’m not perfect at it, but all we can do is keep walking towards the one who is perfect, every day.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
με αγαπη,
BJ