We all have fears, but not all fear is the same. How do we know when fear is sin and when fear is a good thing given to us by God to preserve us and those around us?
We have to trust and believe that God is truly in control and trust and believe that God will care for us but, inevitably, there will be times when we are afraid. God wants us to turn and cling to Him when we find ourselves wrestling with fear.
Often, we are fearful because we feel like we’ve lost control of our lives. It’s hard not to be in control and to have to trust that there is someone who is in control. God isn’t just in control he is good. He is for us, and he knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t know ourselves.
Is fear always sinful?
God has given us our senses, he’s given us our emotions for a reason so that we can exercise wisdom and discernment. If we are walking down a dark alley and we feel like something is wrong, it is not sinful to turn around and choose a different way one that is more well-lit.
God has given that emotion, that clue to protect you.
When does fear become a sin?
If we find ourselves failing to trust God and then we feel fear creep into our lives, we can rest assured that the fear we feel is sin.
We have to trust and believe that God is truly in control and trust and believe that God will care for us but, inevitably, there will be times when we are afraid. God wants us to turn and cling to Him when we find ourselves wrestling with fear.
Often, we are fearful because we feel like we’ve lost control of our lives. It’s hard not to be in control and to have to trust that there is someone who is in control. God isn’t just in control he is good. He is for us, and he knows what’s best for us, even when we don’t know ourselves.
Is fear always sinful?
God has given us our senses, he’s given us our emotions for a reason so that we can exercise wisdom and discernment. If we are walking down a dark alley and we feel like something is wrong, it is not sinful to turn around and choose a different way one that is more well-lit.
God has given that emotion, that clue to protect you.
When does fear become a sin?
If we find ourselves failing to trust God and then we feel fear creep into our lives, we can rest assured that the fear we feel is sin.
Is Fear about Pandemic a Sin?
By Cortni Marrazzo
The COVID-19 pandemic is eliciting a lot of different emotions and reactions for many people, and one of the most common is fear. Fear of catching the virus, fear of dying or having a family member die, fear of losing a job, fear of being able to pay bills, and fear of what the future will look like.
A common response I’ve seen from Christians who find themselves facing very real fears lately is the idea that as Christians, we shouldn’t be scared. Beyond that, there are people who believe that if they are scared, then that means they don’t have enough faith and that they are in sin. After all, the Bible tells us multiple times to not fear, so wouldn’t it be disobedience if we do fear?
While the Bible does encourage us many times to not fear, it doesn’t mean that being scared is a sin. Fear is an emotion that is given to us by God. In its most primal form, it’s meant to protect us from danger and give us the energy and motivation to get out of harm’s way or avoid a catastrophe. Much like anger, the presence of fear itself is not sin, but it can lead to sinful behavior if we are not careful.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (GW) 26 Be angry without sinning. Don't go to bed angry. 27 Don't give the devil any opportunity {to work}.
Fear is not a pleasurable emotion, and if given the choice, most of us would choose to avoid it. But fear is not something we can instantly turn off , thus it often creates an internal struggle. So when we find ourselves fearful, how can we respond in a way that honors God and doesn’t give Satan a foothold in our lives?
Here are 5 ways how.
1. Take Your Fear to God
Matthew 14:29-30 (GW) 29 Jesus said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.30 But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” (emphasis mine)
When we start to sense fear rising up in our soul, the most important thing to do is to take that fear to God in prayer . You can be brutally honest with Him about what you are scared of and how it’s making you feel because He already knows! He wants you to come to Him and talk to Him so He can comfort and help you in your fear.
Peter experienced fear when he was walking on water and began to sink, so he quickly called out to Jesus to help him. Jesus immediately held out His hand for Peter and kept him from drowning.
Peter’s first reaction was to ask Jesus for help because despite being scared in the moment, he knew Jesus was trustworthy. When you are scared, God is there to extend His hand to help you avoid drowning in fear.
If you feel like being afraid is a sin, or if you’ve been taught that it’s wrong, it can be tempting to try to avoid going to God for fear of Him being mad at you. This then creates a fear cycle.
Avoiding being honest with God about your fear cuts you off from the very comfort and healing that you need to get through that fear. So no matter how dark your soul feels or how intense your fear is, you will find safety and comfort and healing when you go to God.
2. Explore Where Your Fear Is Coming From
Lamentations 3:40 (GW) 40 Let us look closely at our ways and examine them and then return to the LORD.
Depending on their past experiences and personalities, some people may have a greater natural propensity to fear than others. If you have experienced abuse or rejection as a child, or maybe you have a more timid personality, these factors may cause you to experience fear more often and/more strongly than others who have not gone through similar experiences.
God knows your experiences and triggers, and wants to help you heal from them, but it’s important to seek out and pray about where your fears are coming from.
In their incredibly helpful book about emotions called “Emotions Matter”, Tristan and Jonathan Collins say “One of the most important aspects of handling fear with wisdom is looking into our fear. It’s there for a reason, and investigating it doesn’t make us cowards.”
COVID-19 may have you so fearful because you are still grieving the recent loss of a loved one, or maybe you are considered high-risk for the virus, or maybe you’ve gone through a tough financial time in the past and you fear that this situation will take you right back there.
Whatever fears you may be facing, there are reasons behind it and the more we can tap into those reasons, the better chance we have of getting to the root of them and moving forward in a healthy way.
The more we know why we are afraid, the more we can meditate on how God provides for those fears.
By Cortni Marrazzo
The COVID-19 pandemic is eliciting a lot of different emotions and reactions for many people, and one of the most common is fear. Fear of catching the virus, fear of dying or having a family member die, fear of losing a job, fear of being able to pay bills, and fear of what the future will look like.
A common response I’ve seen from Christians who find themselves facing very real fears lately is the idea that as Christians, we shouldn’t be scared. Beyond that, there are people who believe that if they are scared, then that means they don’t have enough faith and that they are in sin. After all, the Bible tells us multiple times to not fear, so wouldn’t it be disobedience if we do fear?
While the Bible does encourage us many times to not fear, it doesn’t mean that being scared is a sin. Fear is an emotion that is given to us by God. In its most primal form, it’s meant to protect us from danger and give us the energy and motivation to get out of harm’s way or avoid a catastrophe. Much like anger, the presence of fear itself is not sin, but it can lead to sinful behavior if we are not careful.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (GW) 26 Be angry without sinning. Don't go to bed angry. 27 Don't give the devil any opportunity {to work}.
Fear is not a pleasurable emotion, and if given the choice, most of us would choose to avoid it. But fear is not something we can instantly turn off , thus it often creates an internal struggle. So when we find ourselves fearful, how can we respond in a way that honors God and doesn’t give Satan a foothold in our lives?
Here are 5 ways how.
1. Take Your Fear to God
Matthew 14:29-30 (GW) 29 Jesus said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.30 But when he noticed how strong the wind was, he became afraid and started to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!” (emphasis mine)
When we start to sense fear rising up in our soul, the most important thing to do is to take that fear to God in prayer . You can be brutally honest with Him about what you are scared of and how it’s making you feel because He already knows! He wants you to come to Him and talk to Him so He can comfort and help you in your fear.
Peter experienced fear when he was walking on water and began to sink, so he quickly called out to Jesus to help him. Jesus immediately held out His hand for Peter and kept him from drowning.
Peter’s first reaction was to ask Jesus for help because despite being scared in the moment, he knew Jesus was trustworthy. When you are scared, God is there to extend His hand to help you avoid drowning in fear.
If you feel like being afraid is a sin, or if you’ve been taught that it’s wrong, it can be tempting to try to avoid going to God for fear of Him being mad at you. This then creates a fear cycle.
Avoiding being honest with God about your fear cuts you off from the very comfort and healing that you need to get through that fear. So no matter how dark your soul feels or how intense your fear is, you will find safety and comfort and healing when you go to God.
2. Explore Where Your Fear Is Coming From
Lamentations 3:40 (GW) 40 Let us look closely at our ways and examine them and then return to the LORD.
Depending on their past experiences and personalities, some people may have a greater natural propensity to fear than others. If you have experienced abuse or rejection as a child, or maybe you have a more timid personality, these factors may cause you to experience fear more often and/more strongly than others who have not gone through similar experiences.
God knows your experiences and triggers, and wants to help you heal from them, but it’s important to seek out and pray about where your fears are coming from.
In their incredibly helpful book about emotions called “Emotions Matter”, Tristan and Jonathan Collins say “One of the most important aspects of handling fear with wisdom is looking into our fear. It’s there for a reason, and investigating it doesn’t make us cowards.”
COVID-19 may have you so fearful because you are still grieving the recent loss of a loved one, or maybe you are considered high-risk for the virus, or maybe you’ve gone through a tough financial time in the past and you fear that this situation will take you right back there.
Whatever fears you may be facing, there are reasons behind it and the more we can tap into those reasons, the better chance we have of getting to the root of them and moving forward in a healthy way.
The more we know why we are afraid, the more we can meditate on how God provides for those fears.
3. Focus on God’s Antidotes to Fear
1 Corinthians 10:13 (GW) There isn't any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.
If you constantly berate yourself for being scared, and keep thinking about how you shouldn’t be fearful, your focus then becomes on the fear itself instead of what will help you through that fear. There are many verses in the Bible that encourage you not to fear, and in almost all of them, God offers us a solution and shows us what to focus on instead of fear.
These verses bring out things that will help us in our battle with fear, like trusting in God, knowing that God is always with you, reminding us that love is stronger than fear, etc.
Here are a few examples of scriptures like this. Pay attention to the truths in these verses that counteract fear.
Psalm 56:3-4 (GW) 3 Even when I am afraid, I still trust you.4 I praise the word of God. I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mere flesh {and blood} do to me?
2 Timothy 1:7 (GW) God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment.
Romans 8:15 (GW) You haven't received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God's adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!”
Proverbs 3:25-26 (GW) Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.
26 The LORD will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from getting caught.
When you find yourself facing that fear giant, I encourage you to meditate on these and other similar Scriptures and the truths that God gives to counteract fear.
4. Recognize the Blessings God Can Bring from Your Fear
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (GW) 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort.4 He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.
When you take your fear to God and experience His comfort, it draws you closer to God and deepens your relationship with Him. You know those times when your kids start to experience their first taste of independence and they start rejecting your help and wanting to do everything themselves?
No matter how independent they may feel in those seasons, when they get hurt or scared, their first response will likely be running to you to be held and comforted. And as a parent, you are more than willing to comfort them in those moments.
Fear does the same thing to us adults, it brings us to a place where we can run to God and be comforted and encouraged by Him, no matter how independent we may try to be. He knows we are humans and that we will encounter fear and sadness, and that’s part of why He sent us His Holy Spirit to be our comforter.
Being comforted by God during this pandemic will strengthen your relationship with Him and deepen your faith and you will see the results of that for a long time after this is over.
Not only that, but you will have an increased ability to comfort others with God’s comfort, not only during this season, but for years to come.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (GW) There isn't any temptation that you have experienced which is unusual for humans. God, who faithfully keeps his promises, will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist. But when you are tempted, he will also give you the ability to endure the temptation as your way of escape.
If you constantly berate yourself for being scared, and keep thinking about how you shouldn’t be fearful, your focus then becomes on the fear itself instead of what will help you through that fear. There are many verses in the Bible that encourage you not to fear, and in almost all of them, God offers us a solution and shows us what to focus on instead of fear.
These verses bring out things that will help us in our battle with fear, like trusting in God, knowing that God is always with you, reminding us that love is stronger than fear, etc.
Here are a few examples of scriptures like this. Pay attention to the truths in these verses that counteract fear.
Psalm 56:3-4 (GW) 3 Even when I am afraid, I still trust you.4 I praise the word of God. I trust God. I am not afraid. What can mere flesh {and blood} do to me?
2 Timothy 1:7 (GW) God didn't give us a cowardly spirit but a spirit of power, love, and good judgment.
Romans 8:15 (GW) You haven't received the spirit of slaves that leads you into fear again. Instead, you have received the spirit of God's adopted children by which we call out, “Abba! Father!”
Proverbs 3:25-26 (GW) Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.
26 The LORD will be your confidence. He will keep your foot from getting caught.
When you find yourself facing that fear giant, I encourage you to meditate on these and other similar Scriptures and the truths that God gives to counteract fear.
4. Recognize the Blessings God Can Bring from Your Fear
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (GW) 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who is compassionate and the God who gives comfort.4 He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God.
When you take your fear to God and experience His comfort, it draws you closer to God and deepens your relationship with Him. You know those times when your kids start to experience their first taste of independence and they start rejecting your help and wanting to do everything themselves?
No matter how independent they may feel in those seasons, when they get hurt or scared, their first response will likely be running to you to be held and comforted. And as a parent, you are more than willing to comfort them in those moments.
Fear does the same thing to us adults, it brings us to a place where we can run to God and be comforted and encouraged by Him, no matter how independent we may try to be. He knows we are humans and that we will encounter fear and sadness, and that’s part of why He sent us His Holy Spirit to be our comforter.
Being comforted by God during this pandemic will strengthen your relationship with Him and deepen your faith and you will see the results of that for a long time after this is over.
Not only that, but you will have an increased ability to comfort others with God’s comfort, not only during this season, but for years to come.
5. Find Encouragement in Biblical Examples
The reason the Bible is so full of verses that talk about fear, is because so many people in the Bible experienced it! Some of our most revered heroes of faith were scared to follow the path God had for them, but He lovingly encouraged each one of them and gave them grace. When we read about these heroes, we can find encouragement and grace that we are not the only ones to face a battle with fear.
Abraham feared that he would remain childless and that his servant would become his heir.
Genesis 15:2-3 (GW) 2 Abram asked, “Almighty LORD, what will you give me? Since I'm going to die without children, Eliezer of Damascus will inherit my household.3 You have given me no children, so this member of my household will be my heir.”
Sarah was afraid when God confronted her laughing at His promise to give her a child.
Genesis 18:15 (GW) 15 Because she was afraid, Sarah denied that she had laughed. But the LORD said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Isaac was afraid that king Abimelech was going to kill him for his beautiful wife.
Genesis 26:7 (GW) 7 When the men of that place asked about his wife, Isaac answered, “She's my sister.” He was afraid to say “my wife.” He thought that the men of that place would kill him to get Rebekah, because she was an attractive woman.
Jacob was afraid of his father-in-law
Genesis 31:31 (GW) 31 Jacob answered Laban, “I left because I was afraid. I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
and his brother Esau
Genesis 32:11 (GW) Please save me from my brother Esau, because I'm afraid of him. I'm afraid that he'll come and attack me and the mothers and children too.
He was also afraid to send his son Benjamin to Egypt with his brothers to get food from Egypt
Genesis 42:4 (GW) Jacob wouldn't send Joseph's brother Benjamin with the other brothers, because he was afraid that something would happen to him.
and also to go there himself
Genesis 46:3 (GW) “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Don't be afraid to go to Egypt, because I will make you a great nation there.
Moses was afraid of backlash after he killed an Egyptian
Exodus 2:14 (GW) The man asked, “Who made you our ruler and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought that everyone knew what he had done.
Gideon was scared when God called him to save the Israelites from the oppressive Midianites.
Judges 6:22-23 (GW) 22 That's when Gideon realized that this had been the Messenger of the LORD. So he said, “LORD God! I have seen the Messenger of the LORD face to face.”23 The LORD said to him, “Calm down! Don't be afraid. You will not die.”
David was afraid when he was running from Saul.
1 Samuel 21:12 (GW) When David realized what they had said, he was terrified of King Achish of Gath.
1 Samuel 23:15 (GW) 15 David was afraid because Saul had come to kill him at Horesh in the desert of Ziph.
Psalm 56:1-3 (GW) 1 Have pity on me, O God, because people are harassing me. All day long warriors oppress me.2 All day long my enemies spy on me. They harass me. There are so many fighting against me.3 Even when I am afraid, I still trust you.
Elijah was afraid for his life at the hands of Jezebel.
1 Kings 19:1-3 (GW) 1 Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including how he had executed all the prophets.2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah. She said, “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't take your life the way you took the lives of Baal's prophets.”3 Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there.
When you find yourself scared of what is going on and what the future might hold, remember that your ultimate comfort will be found in God’s love and protection.
Psalm 57:1 (GW) Have pity on me, O God. Have pity on me, because my soul takes refuge in you. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until destructive storms pass by.
The reason the Bible is so full of verses that talk about fear, is because so many people in the Bible experienced it! Some of our most revered heroes of faith were scared to follow the path God had for them, but He lovingly encouraged each one of them and gave them grace. When we read about these heroes, we can find encouragement and grace that we are not the only ones to face a battle with fear.
Abraham feared that he would remain childless and that his servant would become his heir.
Genesis 15:2-3 (GW) 2 Abram asked, “Almighty LORD, what will you give me? Since I'm going to die without children, Eliezer of Damascus will inherit my household.3 You have given me no children, so this member of my household will be my heir.”
Sarah was afraid when God confronted her laughing at His promise to give her a child.
Genesis 18:15 (GW) 15 Because she was afraid, Sarah denied that she had laughed. But the LORD said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Isaac was afraid that king Abimelech was going to kill him for his beautiful wife.
Genesis 26:7 (GW) 7 When the men of that place asked about his wife, Isaac answered, “She's my sister.” He was afraid to say “my wife.” He thought that the men of that place would kill him to get Rebekah, because she was an attractive woman.
Jacob was afraid of his father-in-law
Genesis 31:31 (GW) 31 Jacob answered Laban, “I left because I was afraid. I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
and his brother Esau
Genesis 32:11 (GW) Please save me from my brother Esau, because I'm afraid of him. I'm afraid that he'll come and attack me and the mothers and children too.
He was also afraid to send his son Benjamin to Egypt with his brothers to get food from Egypt
Genesis 42:4 (GW) Jacob wouldn't send Joseph's brother Benjamin with the other brothers, because he was afraid that something would happen to him.
and also to go there himself
Genesis 46:3 (GW) “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Don't be afraid to go to Egypt, because I will make you a great nation there.
Moses was afraid of backlash after he killed an Egyptian
Exodus 2:14 (GW) The man asked, “Who made you our ruler and judge? Are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought that everyone knew what he had done.
Gideon was scared when God called him to save the Israelites from the oppressive Midianites.
Judges 6:22-23 (GW) 22 That's when Gideon realized that this had been the Messenger of the LORD. So he said, “LORD God! I have seen the Messenger of the LORD face to face.”23 The LORD said to him, “Calm down! Don't be afraid. You will not die.”
David was afraid when he was running from Saul.
1 Samuel 21:12 (GW) When David realized what they had said, he was terrified of King Achish of Gath.
1 Samuel 23:15 (GW) 15 David was afraid because Saul had come to kill him at Horesh in the desert of Ziph.
Psalm 56:1-3 (GW) 1 Have pity on me, O God, because people are harassing me. All day long warriors oppress me.2 All day long my enemies spy on me. They harass me. There are so many fighting against me.3 Even when I am afraid, I still trust you.
Elijah was afraid for his life at the hands of Jezebel.
1 Kings 19:1-3 (GW) 1 Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including how he had executed all the prophets.2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah. She said, “May the gods strike me dead if by this time tomorrow I don't take your life the way you took the lives of Baal's prophets.”3 Frightened, Elijah fled to save his life. He came to Beersheba in Judah and left his servant there.
When you find yourself scared of what is going on and what the future might hold, remember that your ultimate comfort will be found in God’s love and protection.
Psalm 57:1 (GW) Have pity on me, O God. Have pity on me, because my soul takes refuge in you. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until destructive storms pass by.
RSS Feed