The Bible is full of stories where its characters were told not to fear. Some were told not to fear by God and doing so would only get disapproval by the Lord. But is the act or disposition of fear in a person deemed as a sin? There is no mention of fear in the 10 commandments. In many Bible passages we are commanded to fear God. Just what is fear in relation to sin?
There are Three Types of Fear in the Bible
You will find throughout the Bible that fear comes in basically three different categories. The first category is fear from a lack of trust in God, the second is reverent fear of God himself, and the third is an instinctive fear placed in us by our Creator to avoid danger. The first category of fear is the one we as Christians should not have.
Fear that is Healthy for You
We’re referring to the fear that is healthy for us to avoid danger. We don’t place our hands on a hot stove because we know we will be burned. We don’t walk too close to the edge of a cliff or bridge because we might fall. We don’t corner a stray dog because we might get attacked. This is fear that is wired into us by God’s design and is not sin at all.
When Healthy Fear Becomes Sin
In many instances the fear that God does not want you to have is also the same fear that God wired into us to protect ourselves. You might ask what kind of double-speak this is? But actually, it is the beauty of the power of God. He helps you overcome fear that naturally you should have.
For example, when Jesus wanted Peter to walk on the water, he wanted him not to have a natural fear that he was created with. That fear was the fear of drowning. But this is how God shows us he has conquered fear.
Fearless is Not Analogous to Insanity
Also understand that Peter knew exactly what Jesus was telling him to do. It was the same for many Bible characters where they were told by God to fear not. The point is that if you jump from a tall building thinking that God will save you just because you had no fear, you will probably die. God probably didn’t tell you to jump from the building.
Many differ on opinion here, but God gave you common sense too. Learn to discern when God is telling you to do something and when he is not. The key is asking for wisdom and guidance in decision making.
Fear is usually a Predecessor to Sin
Probably the biggest problem with fear that makes it closely-related to sin is that throughout the Bible, it is usually a predecessor to disobedience to God and therefore leads to sin. Take for example the Israelites when they thought Moses had died upon the mountain. They feared and then got involved in all sorts of idolatry and immorality. Yet it was not the fear but the lack of trust in God, idolatry and immorality that were the sins.
Fear is an Indicator of a Heart Problem
It could be said that fear is like a symptom of something serious going on in a person’s heart towards God. It is best described in 1 John 4:
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
So, is fear sin? No. Fear is more of a symptom or reaction to a heart problem in your relationship towards God. If you love God, and have childlike faith and trust in God, it should cast that fear out of you. Overtime, you should find yourself fearing less as God fills your heart with his love.
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Great article. Thanks.