The Problem Of Fear

📷MultiphobiasPeople FEAR many things. We can easily become FEARFUL and AFRAID. Some of these fears have been classified into various kinds of "PHOBIAS." ("Phobia" comes from a Greek word meaning "fear"). For example, consider the following: ACROPHOBIA--a fear of high placesCLAUSTROPHOBIA--a fear of enclosed placesCYNOPHOBIA--a fear of dogsHYDROPHOBIA--a fear of waterNECROPHOBIA--a fear of deathNOCTIPHOBIA--a fear of nightFEAR is not always wrong or sinful (even as WORRY is not always wrong). God has equipped man with the capacity to FEAR for man’s own protection and benefit. Though we often think of fear as a dreaded FOE, it can also be man’s best FRIEND. Fear is that FRIEND which keeps our hands away from the tigers’ cage at the zoo. Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to drive safely in the midst of heavy traffic. Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to respect and obey the police officer, lest we should get into trouble. Fear is that FRIEND that encourages us to study for our final exams. Can you think of other ways that fear serves as a friend?Consider again the "phobias" listed above. Show how, under certain circumstances these FEARS can be helpful. (For example, "acrophobia" might help someone on top of a high ladder to proceed with much care and caution.)  Show how these same FEARS can be harmful. (Consider for example "noctiphobia" when a child imagines that he sees a monster in the dark of his room at night.) Friend or Foe?FEAR can be healthy or harmful. FEAR can protect us or fear can destroy us. As we shall see, the right kind of fear will eliminate every wrong kind of fear. Please complete the following MATCHING exercise as you study verses which relate to FEAR or BEING AFRAID:

Multiphobias People FEAR many things. We can easily become FEARFUL and AFRAID. Some of these fears have been classified into various kinds of "PHOBIAS." ("Phobia" comes from a Greek word meaning "fear"). For example, consider the following:

1. ACROPHOBIA--a fear of high places

2. CLAUSTROPHOBIA--a fear of enclosed places

3. CYNOPHOBIA--a fear of dogs

4. HYDROPHOBIA--a fear of water

5. NECROPHOBIA--a fear of death

6. NOCTIPHOBIA--a fear of night

FEAR is not always wrong or sinful (even as WORRY is not always wrong).

God has equipped man with the capacity to FEAR for man’s own protection and benefit.

Though we often think of fear as a dreaded FOE, it can also be man’s best FRIEND.

Fear is that FRIEND which keeps our hands away from the tigers’ cage at the zoo.

Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to drive safely in the midst of heavy traffic.

Fear is that FRIEND that helps us to respect and obey the police officer, lest we should get into trouble.

Fear is that FRIEND that encourages us to study for our final exams.

Can you think of other ways that fear serves as a friend?Consider again the "phobias" listed above. Show how, under certain circumstances these FEARS can be helpful. (For example, "acrophobia" might help someone on top of a high ladder to proceed with much care and caution.)  Show how these same FEARS can be harmful. (Consider for example "noctiphobia" when a child imagines that he sees a monster in the dark of his room at night.) Friend or Foe?FEAR can be healthy or harmful. FEAR can protect us or fear can destroy us. As we shall see, the right kind of fear will eliminate every wrong kind of fear. Please complete the following MATCHING exercise as you study verses which relate to FEAR or BEING AFRAID:

1._____Matthew 14:26

2._____Matthew 14:30

A.A healthy, right kind of fear (FRIEND)

3._____Matthew 2:22

B.A harmful, wrong kind of fear (FOE)

4._____Genesis 22:12

5._____Acts 27:17

6._____Proverbs 28:1 (The word "fear" is not used here, but the idea is certainly present.)

7._____1 Peter 2:17

8._____Isaiah 8:12

9._____Isaiah 8:13

10._____Psalm 112:1

11._____Psalm 112:7

12._____Mark 5:36

The Origin of Fear

Find the first place in the Bible where FEAR is mentioned (HINT:

Begin reading in Genesis chapter 3):  , Verse ______ Was this a healthy, right kind of fear? _______

As you think about Adam’s fear, put the letter "F" before each of the following phrases which properly describe this wrong kind of FEAR:

1._____A direct result of man’s sin and guilt

2._____Running from God

3._____Running towards God ("cometh to God"--)

4._____Facing and fixing my problems

5._____Hiding and covering up my problems

6._____Avoiding the Lord

7._____Approaching the Lord

8._____Open and honest before God

9._____Ashamed before God, "having an evil conscience" ()

10._____Ever conscious of wrongdoing and of one’s own failure to fulfill his God-given responsibilities.

Does the believer who is hidden IN CHRIST ever need to be afraid of approaching a HOLY GOD (; ,)? _________

Fear Not!  

Why Not?

What is the constant plea of God to those who belong to Him (see ; ; ; ; ; ; etc.)?

F______________ N________  

   The Lord gives us many REASONS why we need not fear.

Search the Scriptures and see if you can discover some of these reasons:

; ; ; ; ;

I will not fear because ______________________________________ ; ; ; (compare v.17)

I will not fear because ______________________________________ ,;

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________ (compare 20:1)

I will not fear because ______________________________________ ,,; (cf. )

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

I will not fear because ______________________________________

UNDERSTANDING WHO GOD IS HELPS US NOT TO FEAR.

1) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

2) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

3) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

4) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

5) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

6) I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

7), I will not fear because HE IS MY _____________________________________

The King of FearsWhat is man’s greatest fear ()? _________________________ Is this a legitimate fear for the UNSAVED ()? ________

What is even more fearful than physical death (; )? _______________________________

God describes DEATH as a killer-bee (think of a giant bumblebee!) who has a powerful and deadly sting for all its victims.

What is the terrible STINGER on this killer-bee (; cf. ; ; )? _____________________

What gives this STINGER its strength and power (; cf. ; )? _______________

The Lord Jesus, through His death and resurrection REMOVED THE STINGER and ____________________ death ().

Therefore, does the believer need to fear the KING OF FEARS, or may he bravely and joyfully face his hour of death (see ; ; , ; )? _______________________________________________

.Fear and Love

And the greater of these is love!

FEAR and LOVE cannot dwell together, because the Bible says, "There is no _______ in ________; but perfect _________ casteth out _______, because _________ hath torment (punishment). He that ______________ is not made perfect in ________" ().

A mother might be terribly afraid of a mouse, but she would gladly risk her life against the most savage beast (such as a lion or bear) if necessary for the protection of her child whom she loves.

A soldier might fear actual warfare, but he would willingly fight on the hottest battlefield if he loves his country and the cause for which he is fighting. Can you think of other examples of how love casts out fear?

As you examine the following, decide whether each phrase is describing FEAR or whether it is describing LOVE:

____ What can I do for him?

____ What will he do to me?

____ How can I help him?

____ How can he harm me?

____ What can man do unto me?

____ What can I do for man?

____ How can I give of myself for him?

____ How can I protect myself from him?

____ Shrinks away from others

____ Moves towards others

____ "Believes all things" ()

____ Very suspicious

____ Thinks of everything that might go wrong

____ "Thinketh no evil" ()

____ Concerned about self

____ Concerned about God and others

____ Produces hard work and labor(), tackling the problems at hand.

____ Fails to fix problems and refuses to face up to responsibilities

____ Looks at the problem ()

____ Looks past the problem to the God who has the solution The Fear that Conquers All Fears

What is man’s supreme duty towards God (; ; ; ; etc.)? ______________________

How long are we to do this ()? _____________

How long ()? ______________

How long ()? _______________

When can I begin to do this ()? ____________

Who should do this ()? __________________

Who ()? ____________________________

How should we serve the Lord ()? _______________________

How should we worship the Lord ()? ___________________

How should we spend our time on earth ()? _________________

The fear of the Lord casts out all other fears.

The fear of the Lord is healthy and clean and right ().

Complete this MATCHING problem:

1.______Matthew 10:28

2.______Matthew 10:31

3.______Psalm 112:1

A.FEAR THE LORD!

4.______Psalm 112:7

B.DON’T FEAR ANYTHING ELSE!

5.______Isaiah 8:12

6.______Isaiah 8:13

7.______Psalm 34:4

8.______Psalm 34:9

The Fear of Men Often, instead of fearing GOD we fear MEN! 

We begin thinking like this: "What will they think of me?"

"What will they say?"

"Will they get angry?"

"Will they be pleased?"

"Maybe they will see me!"

"I’m afraid of what they might do to me!"

"Will they be upset or offended?"

"Will they still be friendly towards me?"

"What will they want me to say?"

"What will they want me to do?"

"Where will they want me to go?"

"I’m afraid they will not be happy with me!"

"I don’t think they will approve of this!"

"They might frown on my actions!"

"I hope they will really appreciate what I’m about to do!"

This then is the FEAR OF MEN.

What is the FEAR OF GOD?

To answer this question, simply read the above sentences again and substitute the word "GOD" for the word "they."

This is the FEAR OF GOD.

Read ; .

. Note especially . Was there any fear of God IN ABRAHAM? ________ Did Abraham fear men? ________ Was God able to protect Abraham, even without his lies and deception? _____ Can you think of times when the fear of men kept you from doing what you knew was right? Did Abraham learn to fear the Lord ()? _______How To Recognize a God-FearerIf a person really FEARS THE LORD, then the following will be true: ; ; .; . He will _______________________________________Proverbs 8:13. He will _______________________________________Exodus 20:20. He will _______________________________________Nehemiah 5:15. He will _______________________________________Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:2; 13:4. He will _______________________________________

Note especially .

Was there any fear of God IN ABRAHAM? ________

Did Abraham fear men? ________

Was God able to protect Abraham, even without his lies and deception? _____

Can you think of times when the fear of men kept you from doing what you knew was right? Did Abraham learn to fear the Lord ()? _______

How To Recognize a God-Fearer

If a person really FEARS THE LORD, then the following will be true:

; ; .; . He will _______________________________________Proverbs 8:13. He will _______________________________________Exodus 20:20. He will _______________________________________Nehemiah 5:15. He will _______________________________________Deuteronomy 5:29; 6:2; 13:4. He will _______________________________________

Who should our close friends and companions be ()? ______________________________________________ 

How can we learn to fear the Lord (; ; )? ___________________________________

Let Us Hear The Conclusion Of The Whole Matter

(See )

Personal Questions to Ponder:

Are you afraid of displeasing the Lord?

Are you afraid of not being right with the Lord?

Are you afraid of sinning against a Holy God?

Are you afraid of having less than God’s very best?

Are you afraid of not hearing God’s "WELL DONE"?CHOOSE THE FEAR OF THE LORD (Compare )