What Causes Fear According to the Bible: Uncovering the Surprising Truth

Key Takeaways

• According to the Bible, fear can be caused by a lack of trust in God or a lack of faith in His promises (Psalm 56:3, Isaiah 41:10).
• The Bible also teaches that fear can be a result of sin and guilt, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve who hid from God after disobeying Him (Genesis 3:10).
• Fear can also be caused by the influence of Satan, who seeks to intimidate and discourage believers (1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:12).
• The Bible warns that fear can also be a result of not knowing or understanding God’s character and nature (2 Timothy 1:7, Psalm 111:10).
• Additionally, fear can be caused by the unknown or uncertain circumstances, as seen in the story of the Israelites who were afraid to enter the Promised Land due to the presence of giants (Numbers 13:33).
• The Bible also teaches that fear can be a result of not meditating on God’s Word and not seeking His presence, as seen in the Psalmist’s declaration that “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4) Fear in the Bible.

Introduction

Explanation of Fear

Fear – it’s a word we’re all too familiar with.
It’s that feeling of anxiety or apprehension that can grip our hearts and minds.
We’ve all experienced it at some point or another, whether it’s fear of the dark, fear of failure, or fear of the unknown.

Importance of Understanding Fear from a Biblical Perspective

But have you ever stopped to think about what the Bible says about fear?
It’s actually a pretty common theme throughout Scripture.
From God’s not-looking-for-perfect kind of love to courage in the face of uncertainty, the Bible has a lot to say about fear.
And understanding what it says can be really helpful in our everyday lives.

So, let’s dive in and explore what the Bible says about fear.
What causes it, and how can we overcome it?

As it says 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.” (KJV)

This got me thinking – what if our fears are actually a sign of something deeper going on?
What if they’re a sign that we’re not trusting God as much as we should be?
Or that we’re not letting His love transform our lives?

Here are some things that can cause fear from a biblical perspective:

• Doubting God’s goodness: When we doubt God’s goodness, we can start to fear that He’s not going to come through for us.
• Lack of trust: When we don’t trust God, we can start to fear the unknown.
• Focus on circumstances: When we focus on our circumstances rather than God’s sovereignty, we can start to fear what might happen.

Can you relate to any of these?

Here’s a visual snapshot of the themes we’ll be tackling, captured in this word cloud.

Word cloud by BibleBreathe.com about what causes fear according to the bible

Definition of Fear in the Bible

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Hebrew and Greek Words for Fear

Let’s dive into the Biblical definition of fear.

In the Bible, there are several Hebrew and Greek words that are translated to “fear”.

• Yare (Hebrew) – This word means to fear, be afraid, or reverence. It’s used in verses like Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”
• Phobos (Greek) – This word means fear, terror, or dread. It’s used in verses like 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
• Deilia (Greek) – This word means cowardice or fearfulness. It’s used in verses like Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone…

Types of Fear in the Bible

So, what are the different types of fear mentioned in the Bible?

Here are a few:

• Fear of God: This is a healthy fear that leads us to reverence and obey Him. (Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…”)
• Fear of man: This is an unhealthy fear that can lead us to prioritize people’s opinions over God’s. (Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”)
• Fear of the unknown: This is a common fear that can lead to anxiety and worry. (Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…”)
• Fear of failure: This is a fear that can hold us back from pursuing our goals and dreams. (Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”)

Type of Fear	Biblical Example	What We Can Learn
Fear of God	Psalm 111:10	A healthy fear of God leads to wisdom and reverence.
Fear of man	Proverbs 29:25	Prioritizing people’s opinions over God’s can lead to trouble.
Fear of the unknown	Psalm 23:4	God is with us, even in uncertain times.

Causes of Fear According to the Bible

Fear of God

Let’s talk about the fear of God.

It’s not about being scared of God, but rather having a healthy respect for who He is.

The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7, KJV)

This kind of fear is actually a good thing! It helps us to:

• Reverence God’s power: We recognize that God is all-powerful and deserving of our respect.
• Obey God’s commands: We understand that God’s laws are for our own good, and we want to follow them.
• Seek God’s wisdom: We know that God’s wisdom is beyond our own, and we want to learn from Him.

Fear of Sin and Its Consequences

What about the fear of sin?

This is a fear that we should all have, because sin has serious consequences.

The Bible warns us, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23, KJV)

This fear should motivate us to:

• Avoid sinful behaviors: We don’t want to suffer the consequences of sin, so we try to avoid it.
• Seek forgiveness: When we do sin, we know that we can come to God for forgiveness.
• Live a life of obedience: We want to please God by living a life that honors Him.

Fear of the Unknown

Then there’s the fear of the unknown.

This is a fear that we all face at some point or another.

The Bible says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)

This verse reminds us that we don’t have to be controlled by fear. Instead, we can:

• Trust in God’s sovereignty: We know that God is in control, even when we don’t understand what’s happening.
• Seek God’s guidance: We can come to God for wisdom and direction when we’re unsure about the future.
• Focus on what we know: We can focus on what we do know, rather than getting bogged down by what we don’t know.

Fear of Enemies and Persecution

Finally, there’s the fear of enemies and persecution.

This is a fear that many Christians face, especially in certain parts of the world.

The Bible says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, KJV)

This verse reminds us that we don’t have to be afraid, even in the face of danger. We can:

• Trust in God’s presence: We know that God is with us, no matter what we’re facing.
• Seek God’s protection: We can come to God for protection and safety.
• Focus on our faith: We can focus on our faith, rather than getting distracted by our fears.

Fear in the Old Testament

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Examples of Fear in the Old Testament

Fear is a universal human emotion that’s been around since, well, forever. And the Bible’s got plenty of examples of fear in the Old Testament. Let’s take a look at a few:

• Adam and Eve’s fear of God: After they disobeyed God’s command not to eat from the tree of knowledge, they were afraid of God’s wrath (Genesis 3:8-10). Who wouldn’t be, right?
• Abraham‘s fear for his life: When Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son Isaac, he was scared (Genesis 22:1-14). I mean, who wouldn’t be afraid of losing their child?
• Moses‘ fear of the Israelites: When Moses was leading the Israelites out of slavery, he was afraid of their anger and frustration (Exodus 32:1-35). Leading a bunch of grumpy people can be intimidating!

Lessons Learned from Fear in the Old Testament

So, what can we learn from these examples of fear in the Old Testament?

Here are three key takeaways:

• Fear can lead to bad decisions: Adam and Eve’s fear of God led them to hide from Him, which only made things worse. When we let fear control us, we might make choices that hurt us in the long run.
• Fear can be overcome with faith: Abraham’s fear of losing Isaac was overcome by his faith in God’s promise. When we trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, we can face our fears with courage.
• Fear can be a reminder of our limitations: Moses’ fear of the Israelites reminded him of his own limitations and need for God’s guidance. When we’re faced with fear, we can use it as an opportunity to seek God’s help and guidance.

Fear	Lesson Learned
Fear of God’s wrath	Our sin separates us from God, but His love and mercy can restore us.
Fear of loss	God’s promises are greater than our fears, and He can work all things for our good.

As the Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10, KJV). But what does that mean, exactly? Is it a fear of God’s wrath, or something more? We’ll explore that in the next section.

Fear in the New Testament

Examples of Fear in the New Testament

Fear is a natural human emotion, and it’s not something that just stopped existing after Jesus came on the scene.

In fact, the New Testament is full of examples of people experiencing fear.

Let’s take a look at a few:

• The disciples in the storm: Remember when Jesus was sleeping in the boat, and a huge storm came up? The disciples were terrified, but Jesus just calmed the storm with a few words (Mark 4:35-41). Talk about a lesson in trust!
• The women at the empty tomb: When the women went to Jesus’ tomb after He was crucified, they were met with an angel who told them Jesus was alive! They were scared, but also super excited (Matthew 28:1-10). Who wouldn’t be?
• The apostle Paul’s fears: Even the apostle Paul, who wrote a huge chunk of the New Testament, struggled with fear. He was worried about being hurt or rejected when he shared the Gospel with people (2 Corinthians 7:5). He was human, just like us!

Lessons Learned from Fear in the New Testament

So, what can we learn from these examples of fear in the New Testament?

Here are a few key takeaways:

• Fear is normal: It’s okay to feel scared sometimes. Even Jesus’ closest friends and followers experienced fear.
• God is bigger than our fears: Jesus calmed the storm, raised people from the dead, and even defeated death itself. He’s way more powerful than anything we’re afraid of.
• Faith can overcome fear: The women at the empty tomb were scared, but they also had faith that Jesus was who He said He was. We can have that same faith, even when we’re afraid.

Fear	What the New Testament Says
Fear of the unknown	“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)
Fear of rejection	“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John 15:18, KJV)

As the Bible says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, KJV). That’s a promise we can hold onto, even when we’re scared.

Overcoming Fear According to the Bible

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The Role of Faith in Overcoming Fear

Let’s face it, fear is a natural part of life. But as Christians, we don’t have to let it control us.

Faith is the key to overcoming fear, and the Bible is full of examples of people who faced their fears head-on with faith.

Take David, for instance. He was just a young shepherd when he faced off against the giant Goliath. But he didn’t let fear take over – he trusted in God’s power and provision.

The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37, KJV)

We can learn from David’s example. When we’re faced with fear, we can choose to trust in God’s power and provision. We can remember that He’s got our backs, no matter what.

The Power of God’s Presence in Overcoming Fear

Have you ever felt like you’re all alone in your fears? Like nobody understands what you’re going through?

God’s presence is the antidote to fear. When we’re in His presence, we can feel our fears melting away.

The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, KJV)

That’s not just some nice sentiment – it’s a fact. God is always with us, even when we can’t feel Him. And when we focus on His presence, we can start to overcome our fears.

The Importance of Prayer and Seeking Wisdom

So, how do we overcome fear according to the Bible?

Here are three key things:

• Pray for wisdom: When we’re faced with fear, we can ask God for wisdom on how to navigate the situation.
• Seek God’s presence: We can focus on God‘s presence and let His peace calm our fears.
• Trust in God’s sovereignty: We can trust that God is in control, even when things seem out of control.

Fear	How to Overcome It
Fear of the unknown	Seek God’s wisdom and guidance.
Fear of failure	Trust in God’s sovereignty and provision.

The Benefits of Overcoming Fear

The Blessings of Trusting in God

What causes fear according to the Bible? It’s a lack of trust in God. When we focus on our problems instead of God’s promises, fear starts to creep in. But when we choose to trust in God, we can experience some amazing benefits.

Benefit	How Trusting in God Helps
Reduced anxiety	When we trust God, we know He’s got our backs, and that reduces our anxiety.
Increased peace	Trusting in God brings a sense of peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Think about it: when we trust in God, we’re not just relying on our own strength and abilities. We’re tapping into God’s power and wisdom. That’s a pretty powerful combination!

As the Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10, KJV). When we fear God, we’re not talking about being afraid of Him. We’re talking about having a deep respect for who He is and what He can do.

The Peace that Comes from Fearing God

So, what does it mean to fear God? It means we have a healthy respect for His power and authority. It means we know He’s the one in control, not us.

“Fear not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10, KJV)

When we fear God, we can experience a deep sense of peace. We know that no matter what’s going on in our lives, God is in control. And that’s a pretty amazing feeling.

Here are three ways fearing God can bring us peace:

• It reminds us of God’s sovereignty: When we fear God, we’re reminded that He’s the one in control. That takes a lot of pressure off us!
• It helps us trust in God’s plan: When we fear God, we know He’s got a plan for our lives, and that plan is good.
• It gives us confidence in God’s presence: When we fear God, we know He’s with us, no matter what. That’s a pretty powerful feeling!

Common Misconceptions About Fear in the Bible

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Fear as a Sign of Weak Faith

Have you ever felt like you’re not a “good” Christian because you’re struggling with fear?

I know I have.

But here’s the thing: fear is not necessarily a sign of weak faith.

In fact, some of the most faithful people in the Bible struggled with fear.

Biblical Character	Their Struggle with Fear
David	He wrote about his fears in many of the Psalms, like Psalm 23.
Peter	He was afraid to walk on water, even though Jesus was right there with him (Matthew 14:30).

Fear as a Sin

Another misconception about fear is that it’s always a sin.

But is it?

The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10, KJV).

This kind of fear is not about being afraid of God, but about having a healthy respect for Him.

It’s like the difference between being afraid of a snake and having a healthy respect for its venom.

One is paralyzing, while the other is wise.

“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.” (1 John 4:18, KJV)

So, what causes fear according to the Bible?

It’s not always about having weak faith or being sinful.

Sometimes, it’s just about being human.

The Role of Fear in the Christian Life

The Balance Between Fear and Caution

Let’s face it – fear is a natural part of life. We all experience it at some point or another. But as Christians, we need to understand the role of fear in our lives and how it relates to our faith.

Fear	Caution
Paralyzing and debilitating	Prudent and wise
Focuses on the problem	Focuses on finding a solution

The Bible says, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10, KJV). But it also says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10, KJV). So, what’s the difference between healthy caution and debilitating fear?

The Role of Fear in Guiding Decision-Making

Fear can actually be a good thing when it guides us to make wise decisions. For example, if you’re considering a business venture that seems too good to be true, a healthy dose of fear might cause you to slow down and do your research.

But when fear takes over, it can lead to analysis paralysis. We become so afraid of making the wrong decision that we don’t make any decision at all.

As the famous quote goes, “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear” (Ambrose Redmoon).

So, how can we balance fear and caution in our decision-making? Here are three key things to remember:

• Trust in God’s sovereignty: He’s got a plan, even when we’re unsure.
• Seek wisdom: Don’t be afraid to ask for advice or do your research.
• Take small steps: Break down big decisions into smaller, manageable steps.

By following these principles, we can learn to navigate fear in a healthy way and make decisions that honor God.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Causes Fear According To The Bible

What Are Some Common Fears Mentioned in the Bible?

The Bible addresses various fears, including fear of death (Hebrews 2:15), fear of the unknown (Deuteronomy 31:8), fear of failure (1 Samuel 18:12), fear of rejection (Genesis 29:11), and fear of man (Proverbs 29:25). It also offers reassurance and encouragement to overcome these fears through faith and trust in God.

How Does the Bible Address Fear and Anxiety?

The Bible addresses fear and anxiety by offering comfort, reassurance, and practical advice. It reminds us of God’s sovereignty, love, and presence, encouraging us to cast our cares on Him. Verses like Philippians 4:6-7 and 1 Peter 5:7 provide guidance on how to overcome fear and anxiety through prayer, gratitude, and trust in God’s goodness.

What Are Some Biblical Principles for Overcoming Fear?

Biblical principles for overcoming fear include trusting in God’s sovereignty, focusing on His presence, and casting anxiety on Him. Meditate on scriptures like Psalm 23 and Isaiah 41:10, and practice gratitude, surrender, and faith. Remember, fear is not from God, and He gives us courage and strength to overcome it.

What Does the Bible Say About Fear of Man?

The Bible teaches that fear of man is a snare that can lead to approval-seeking and compromising one’s faith. Proverbs 29:25 says, ‘Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.’ Instead, we’re called to fear God, who is the ultimate authority and judge.

How Does the Bible Address Fear of Death?

The Bible addresses fear of death by offering hope and reassurance through faith in Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, death is described as a defeated enemy, and believers are promised eternal life. Psalm 23:4 and Hebrews 2:15 also provide comfort, emphasizing God’s presence and deliverance from fear.

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