Two Kinds of Fear: Part 1
Most authorities, including the Bible, describe two distinct kinds of fears. One is a feeling of dread, caused by something we would like to avoid – often something that isn’t what it seems. It is often said that fear of the unknown is one of the strongest fears. I would concur, as NOT knowing what lurks around the next corner can paralyze us with fear.
I have personally experienced this kind of paralyzing fear a few times in my life. I could not move or speak. I was rendered helpless for a few moments, barely able to even breathe!
The Bible speaks of the effects of negative fear:
Trembling or quaking from fear. Exodus 20:20; Joshua 7:3; 1 Samuel 13:7; Psalm 55:5; Isaiah 21:4; Ezekiel 12:18; Matthew 5:33; Acts 7:32; 1 Corinthians 2:3; Hebrews 12:21.
Hearts melt in fear. Deuteronomy 1:28; Joshua 2:11; Joshua 5:1; Joshua 7:5; Joshua 14:8; Isaiah 19:1; Ezekiel 21:15; 2 Samuel 17:10.
Seized or gripped with fear. Job 4:14; Luke 1:12; Acts 5:5; Acts 5:11; Acts 19:17.
Silenced by fear. Job 31:34; Job 32:6.
Hands go limp. Isaiah 13:7.
Faces distorted with fear. Ezekiel 21:35.
Writhing in agony. Zechariah 9:5.
“The sound of a windblown leaf will put them o flight. They will run as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them.” Leviticus 26:36.
“Because of the news that is coming. Every heart will melt with fear and every hand go limp; every spirit will become weak and every leg will be wet with urine.” Ezekiel 21:7.
I don’t know about you, but I have either seen or experienced these kinds of fears in my life. Fear usually comes from not knowing, or not understanding. So we must educate ourselves about WHO and what are the causes of fear in our lives, and GET RID of them!
One of the most obvious causes of fear in our lives is, again, that spirit of fear that we touched on earlier. Anytime there is a spirit that is not from/of God, it is evil. It comes from our enemy, the devil (Satan, Lucifer). But we don’t have to be afraid of him.
Did you know that he has already been defeated? That he is living on borrowed time? According to 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone he may devour.” So he’s looking for someone who will LET HIM devour them! You must give him permission! Don’t do it!
According to James 4:7, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” That doesn’t say you have to have some elaborate battle plan, or that you have to outsmart him. Overpower him. NO! You need only to resist him – he really has zero power, unless YOU give it to him! So don’t do it.
If this is news to you, you need to get into God’s Word and study. Build up your faith so you can learn to recognize fear, to resist him, and get victory in your life! Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” If you think about it, the things that you hear over and over are the things you begin to believe are truth. Be careful what you are listening to.
In Part 2 of this study we will look at the fear of God, what it is, and how it effects our lives.
Father God, You are an awesome God! You are mighty to be praised! We thank You, Father, for loving us. We thank You that perfect love (YOU are perfect love) casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). We thank You for teaching us, protecting us, drawing us to You. We look forward to learning more about You! We thank You for all of these things in the name of Your Son, Jesus! Amen. So be it!