Fear

What it means

Fear is the dread of harm, loss, death, or judgment that can grip and govern the human heart, and Scripture neither mocks it nor leaves us in it. It distinguishes the slavish fear that torments from the reverent fear of the Lord that is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Again and again God meets His frightened people with His presence and His promise: 'Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God' (Isaiah 41:10). The deepest human fear, the fear of death, is precisely what Christ came to break, for He shared in our flesh and blood that through death He might destroy the one who holds the power of death and free those held in lifelong slavery to that fear (Hebrews 2:14-15). Because He is risen, those who trust Him can say the Lord is their helper and refuse to be afraid (Hebrews 13:6).