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NOTE: This article or series has not been updated recently. As such, it may possibly contain some outdated information, and/or ideas and beliefs which I no longer embrace, or which have changed to some degree.



As we have seen, while just like Dracula, Nosferatu, Edward Cullen and other fictitious vampires and monsters of the dark night, Satan and his minions try to fill us with fear, God's Word inspires us and admonishes us to do the exact opposite. We are to have faith and not fear. We should trust in God and not fear or worry about anything. Furthermore, we should also endeavor to control our thoughts, lest we be overcome by them and they become monsters in our lives.

In the Scriptures, there are actually a few meanings for the word "fear", such as being amazed, or truly being afraid of something. The Jewish religious rulers were constantly using fear as a powerful mechanism to keep the people in subjection to their cold, dead, rigid system of dead works, similar to certain modern-day churches and cults which promote the false belief that one cannot be truly saved -- or serve the Lord -- outside of their particular denomination or organization. If one chooses to leave the church or cult, he is made to feel as if he is abandoning the Lord. I discuss this issue more at length in such series as "Elijah: Where Are the True Prophets of God?" and "Heaven's Gate, Suicide and Other Death Cults". Some of those misguided churches and cults provide a whole list of rigid rules which one must abide by, or a long list of doctrines which one must embrace, in order to be saved, or to even become a member of their exclusive club. If one does make it inside the door, he is always in fear that he might fall from grace.

But as I was saying, the four Gospels, the Book of Acts and the Epistles clearly reveal that the Jewish religious system of the Scribes and the Pharisees was no different. They ruled through fear, as becomes quite evident by verses such as the following:

"Howbeit no man spake openly of him for FEAR of the Jews."


"But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents, because they FEARED the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his parents, He is of age; ask him."


"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for FEAR of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus."


"Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for FEAR of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you."


Please notice that while the Disciples feared the Jewish religious authorities, the minute that Jesus appeared, He offered them His peace. Of course, the most important kind of fear which we Christians should concern ourselves with is Godly fear; that is, a special reverence for the Lord. The Greek lexicon refers to it as reverential obedience. It is derived from the Greek word "phobeo", which translates into certain English words as "phobia". This kind of fear is very similar to how young children are supposed to reverence and respect their parents. In other words, obviously, we are not supposed to walk around full of terrible fear every day and minute of our lives, just waiting for the Lord to strike us down with a lightning bolt.

If anything, the aforementioned is the kind of image of God which many atheists and Christ-haters like to promote. This they do as a way to try to justify their rebellious behavior and their unbelieving hearts. However, they are not fooling anyone; particularly not God. The image they create is not an accurate depiction of the true God of the Bible. It is a deceptive half-truth, and they know it. As I said a moment ago, the kind of "fear" which we are supposed to have is a love-based reverence for our parents, and for the Lord; with the knowledge that if we choose to disobey either, then we must likewise expect to face some form of chastisement. As long as we choose to obey the rules and are respectful, our parents -- and the Lord -- will show us their loving side. However, if we repeatedly and defiantly choose to cross over the line by disobeying, knowing full well what may happen to us, then there is only a fearful looking for of judgment, as we see by the following verses:

"For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me."


"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."


Just as there are many verses in the Bible which encourage us to trust in the Lord, there are also quite a few which advise us to fear -- or reverence -- Him as well. Following are some example verses which are found in both the Old and the New Testaments:

"And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation."


"But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him."


"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."


"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."


"Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."


"Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king."


"And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."


"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."


"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."


"The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."


"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."


"The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened."


"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death."


"The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."


"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil."


"The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil."


"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life."


It is clear then that there is quite a difference between Godly fear and worldly fear, or fear which is inspired by Satan. After all, Satan does control this present world, because he is the false god of the same who works in the children of disobedience, as we can easily determine by the following verses:

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."


"Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:"


"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."


As we discussed in part three, love is the opposite of fear. If we believe in God, and know in our hearts that He loves us as His own dear adopted children; and if we trust or have faith in Him that He is going to take care of us, then we really have no reason to fear. In essence, faith and love work hand in hand. This is made evident by verses such as the following:

"For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love."


"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,"


"Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."


"And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."


"Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."


"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?"


It is this union of Love and Faith working within us which frees us from the Prince of Darkness and the fearful grip he wishes to have upon our lives. Where does this faith come from? How do we acquire trust in the Lord. Aside from simply watching how God continuously works in our lives, and always resolves every situation which comes along, as I have shown in many articles, it is also through daily, diligent study of His Word; that is, the Holy Bible. God's Word is like a seed; and once it is planted in our receptive hearts, faith begins to grow. Consider the following verses:

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."


"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."


"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."


"Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:"


"Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart."


If we are faithful to take the time to fill our minds and hearts with the Light of God's Word, then there simply will be no opportunity or room for Satan, or for his demons of darkness, to take root in our lives. It is impossible for light and darkness to occupy the same space at the same time. Just as the vampires of fiction flee with the rising Sun, so too, the forces of darkness flee when the Light of Christ shines in our hearts. Consider the following verses and be inspired:

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."


"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:"


To reiterate, if we diligently study God's Word, our faith and trust in the Lord will grow. Not only that, but we will also acquire the peace which passes all understanding, as we begin to recognize how He takes care of every situation, and provides our every need, when we are truly pleasing Him. Here again are a few verses for your consideration:

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."


"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."


"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."


If you do not yet possess this peace in your life, then I invite you to accept the One who can give you this peace; that is, the very King of Peace Himself, Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the eternal God. Consider these verses:

"For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."


Not only will Jesus Christ give you His peace as He promised to do, but He will likewise grant you Eternal Life, once you place your faith in Him alone for your Salvation. If you do this, then someday you too will be raised to Eternal Glory, where there is no darkness or fear at all. It's still not too late! Please do it today! Become a Child of Light and live!

With these thoughts, I will bring this article to a close. It is my hope that you have found it informative, enlightening, and I pray that it has been a blessing in your life as well. If you have an account with Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr or with any other social network, I would really appreciate if you'd take the time to click or tap on the corresponding link that is found on this page. Thanks so much, and may God bless you abundantly!

For additional information and further study, you may want to refer to the list of reading resources below which were either mentioned in this article, or which contain topics which are related to this article. All of these articles are likewise located on the Bill's Bible Basics web server. To read these articles, simply click or tap on any link you see below.

Alien Life, Extrasolar Planets and Universal Atonement
Beholding the Evil and the Good
Death: Final Battle, Final Victory
Do You Want Love and Light, or Rod and Wrath?
Elijah: Where Are the True Prophets of God?
Heaven's Gate, Suicide and Other Death Cults
Lies and Deceptions of the Roman Catholic Church
Love, Mercy, Forgiveness and Chastisement
Mary Worship, Christianity and Roman Catholicism
Nature of the Alien: ETs, Demons or a Government Plot?
Pontifex Maximus: Pagan High Priest to Roman Catholic Pope
Roman Catholicism, Water Baptism and the Holy Trinity
Salvation is Free Through Jesus Christ
Sex, a Bowl of Soup, and the Nature of Angels
Star Wars: The Real Battle Wages On!
The Children of Light: Are You One of Us?

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Please avail yourself of other areas of the Bill's Bible Basics website. There are many treasures for you to discover.