Fear: The Good, the Bad and the Remedy

The Do’s & Don’t of Fear

Matthew 10:28 ESV

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Don’t fear man

Do fear God

Fearing God

Captivated by His presence: Deut. 4:11-12; Rev. 4:9-11 .

Overwhelmed by His grace: Heb. 4:16; Ps 62:11-12.

Awe-struck by His infinite power and the intensity of His love.

Fearing While Waiting: Isa. 8:11-14

Context:

Prophecy concerning the success of an Assyrian attack against Judah (v. 3-4)

The people decided to align themselves with the king of Assyria instead of entrusting themselves to God. (5-6)

God will judge Judah as a result of their disobedience (7-10)

A sin Condemned (11-12)

Do not be like the world. “This people” (11, 12)

They were not to follow the popular way of thinking regarding some conspiracy. Isaiah and his followers were a minority who held unpopular views at the time.

The nature of the conspiracy is not described, but the exhortation here is not to agree with everything others present as a conspiracy.

More specifically, the call is to not be paralyzed by fear concerning all the rumors that will arise in the coming days.

“They must not forget God, magnify the creature, or prefer their own schemes and policies to God’s almighty power and unchanging faithfulness.” John Flavel

A Remedy Prescribed (13)

to honor God as holy

This means to sanctify God as holy.

God, in other words, is to be distinct in our lives. Him only are we to regard as high and exalted. He alone is glorious, all powerful, all knowing. He is to be obeyed, and in Him alone do we trust.

We have this posture towards Him because we fear Him. We have this posture towards anything or anyone that we fear.

“To sanctify the Lord of hostess to acknowledge the glory of His sovereign power, wisdom, and faithfulness. It includes not only a verbal confession, but internal acts of trust, confidence and entire dependence upon Him.” John Flavel

A Motive Encouraged (14)

God will become a sanctuary to us

He will protect, defend and provide for us in our times of need.

Ezekiel 11:16 ESV

Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while in the countries where they have gone.’

God is our sanctuary in the midst of our hardship. Our sinful fear is extinguished by our fear of God, not the hardships we experience in this world.

“… when the fear of God is dictator in the heart, all other fears will (in great measure) cease.” John Flavel

Two Takeaways

Enslaving fear can come upon us in any moment, but we may be especially vulnerable to it in times of distress and danger.

The fear of God (being both captivated by His presence and overwhelmed by His grace) is the most effective means we have to extinguish sinful fear.