Biblical Answer

Understanding the Concept of Fear in the Bible

The Bible repeatedly commands people to "fear not" (e.g., Isaiah 41:10, 14; 43:1-3; Psalm 23:4). At first glance, this may seem puzzling, as it appears to be a contradictory message. However, a closer examination of the biblical concept of fear reveals a more nuanced understanding. In the Old Testament, the term "fear of the Lord" is common, and it refers to being overwhelmed with wonder before the greatness of God (Psalm 2:11; Proverbs 1:7, 9:10, 10:27, 14:27, 15:16, 19:23, 22:4, 23:17, 24:23, 28:14). This concept of fear is not about being afraid of God, but rather about being in awe of His power and majesty.

The Fear of the Lord as a Response of Wonder

The fear of the Lord is not just an intellectual understanding, but a response of the entire being. When God teaches us to fear Him, He usually does it in a way that is utterly astonishing. For example, in Psalm 2:11, the psalmist writes, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice before him with trembling." This verse highlights the idea that the fear of the Lord is a response of reverence and awe, rather than fear in the modern sense. The psalmist is not afraid of God, but rather, he is in awe of His power and majesty. Similarly, in Isaiah 41:10, God commands His people to "fear not," and then He goes on to describe His power and sovereignty over all creation.

Overcoming Fear with Faith

The biblical command to "fear not" is not just a superficial encouragement to be brave, but rather a call to trust in God's power and sovereignty. When we fear God, we are not afraid of Him, but rather, we are in awe of His greatness. This fear is not a negative emotion, but rather a positive response of reverence and worship. As the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:13, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." By fearing God, we are not afraid of His judgment, but rather, we are motivated to live a life that is pleasing to Him. In this sense, the biblical command to "fear not" is not just a call to bravery, but rather a call to faith and trust in God's goodness and sovereignty.