The Pros and Cons of Fear

Over the course of our weeks of quarantine due to this deadly coronavirus, we have been looking at various passages that have to do with fear — or perhaps finding comfort during times of fear.

This week I’d like to take a slightly different approach. I want to consider if perhaps there is a positive side of fear. Over and over again the Bible speaks about the fear of the LORD in positive terms. Consider the following:

Job 28:28 ESV

And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ ”

In this instance the fear of the Lord is the equivalent of turning away from evil.

Psalm 19:9 ESV

the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Psa 34:11

Psalm 34:11 ESV

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.