5 Bible Verses About Fear

Many, if not everyone, have found themselves with fear at one time or another. But there are several Bible verses about fear. Sometimes, the fear we experience is a sort of fantasy that movies are made out of, like the fear of a sea serpent or aliens. 

Sometimes this is a genuine phobia, like the fear of falling, the fear of spiders, or the fear of being abandoned. Many of these sorts of fears can come out in our daily lives and actions. For example, consider someone afraid of failure, they might work much harder at work or set lower goals for themselves. Or maybe they have a fear of loneliness, where they are constantly busy to surround themselves with people constantly. 

The Two Types of Fear in the Bible

The Bible identifies two distinct types of fear. There is one type of fear thatis beneficial and should be encouraged, while the second type of fear is portrayed as something detrimental and should be overcome. Differentiating these is important when interpreting the bible verses found in scripture. 

Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord does not imply being afraid of God, but rather having a reverential awe for His power and proper respect for His anger. Essentially, the fear of the Lord is a profound acknowledgment of all that God is, stemming from a deep understanding of His attributes.

Fear of the Lord brings numerous blessings and benefits. It marks the beginning of wisdom and fosters good understanding (Psalm 111:10). Only fools disdain wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7). Additionally, the fear of the Lord leads to life, rest, peace, and contentment (Proverbs 19:23). It serves as a fountain of life (Proverbs 14:27) and offers security and a place of safety (Proverbs 14:26).

A Spirit of Fear

The other type of fear, or anxiety, is not of the Lord or beneficial to our walk with God.  This is the “spirit of fear” referenced in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” A spirit of fearfulness and timidity does not come from God. As we discussed before, we have rest and peace because of God’s power over us. Instead of fearing what comes next, we can trust in the Lord’s sovereignty over us.

Bible Verses About Fear

When you feel afraid and the”spirit of fear” overwhelms you, we encourage you to look to scripture for comfort. God has given us his word to encourage us. Let’s review some of the most popular bible verses referring to fear.

Psalm 23

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.”

This classic verse is a song of David that echoes his time as a shepherd. It reminds us that no matter what we face in life, literal or figurative giant, we do not need to fear because God guides and protects us.

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.” 

Since no one is perfect, God understands our struggles. This is why He has generously encouraged fear throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God continually reminds us to “Fear not.”

Isaiah 41:10 

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” 

Often, we fear the future and what lies ahead for us. However, Christ Jesus our Lord reminds us that God cares for the birds of the air; how much more, then, will He provide for His children?

Matthew 10:31

“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” 

God reassures us not to fear being alone, being too weak, not being heard, or lacking physical necessities. These admonishments are found throughout the Bible, addressing various aspects of the “spirit of fear.”

Psalm 56:11 

“In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 

This is a powerful testament to the strength found in trusting God. No matter what happens, the psalmist will place his trust in God because he understands His power. The key to overcoming fear lies in complete trust in the Lord your God. 

Trusting God means refusing to succumb to fear, turning to Him even in the darkest times, and believing that He will make things right. This trust is rooted in knowing God and His goodness. As Job declared during his most challenging trials, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).

Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This verse reminds us that we should fear no evil. Rather than having fear and anxiety about this world, remember that nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Explore these Bible Verses About Fear

Once we have learned to trust in God, we will no longer fear the challenges that come our way. So do not let your heart be troubled! We will be like the psalmist who confidently declared, “…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you” (Psalm 5:11).

We encourage you to look into the Bible for yourself to explore these and other Bible verses about fear. Join the fellowship here at ORBC and connect with us today!

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