Fear

Is all fear from the enemy? I am not talking about the fear of the Lord. I am talking about fear of everything else, such as fears of tomorrow, aging, loneliness, failure, uncertainty, relationships, money worries, fear of flying/driving, social phobias/anxiety, etc. Some people are debilitated by fear. I think some fear is justified for preservation purposes, such as fear of fire or natural disasters. They serve as a warning for how to react or behave in certain situations. However, other fears are more in our head, such as fear of failure.

When is fear from the enemy, and when is fear okay/justified? How do you approach fear?

I once had a horrible fear of "going into Eternal fire and brimstone" But,
Immediately upon my faith/conversion, God Himself:

Praise His Wonderful Name! Amen.

When is fear from the enemy, and when is fear okay/justified? How do you approach fear?

IMO, not all fear is bad. Some fear we are born with included in our Sympathetic Response System. These fears are there
to help protect us. Some fear is learned through experiences. Such as touching a hot stove or such. Some fear is phycological, such as fear of flying, or others.

There are a plethora of Scriptures concerning fear. Here are just a few:


2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 184 helpful votes
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 140 helpful votes
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
James 4:7 ESV / 139 helpful votes
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 4:18 ESV / 138 helpful votes
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 120 helpful votes
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.
Ephesians 6:11 ESV / 118 helpful votes
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Psalm 34:4 ESV / 110 helpful votes
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
John 8:44 ESV / 108 helpful votes
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV / 89 helpful votes
So that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
1 John 3:8 ESV / 84 helpful votes
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV / 84 helpful votes
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV / 81 helpful votes
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 14:27 ESV / 80 helpful votes
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Romans 8:15 ESV / 79 helpful votes
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 77 helpful votes
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Hebrews 2:14 ESV / 72 helpful votes
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Revelation 12:9 ESV / 71 helpful votes
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Romans 16:20 ESV / 67 helpful votes
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Ephesians 4:27 ESV / 64 helpful votes
And give no opportunity to the devil.
2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 64 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful
But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

In God's physical world there are 3 types of fear ----Primal fear ---Rational fear and irrational fear -----

Fear in this world can be either bad or good -----Rational fear can keep one safe from harm ----irrational fear can cause stress and anxiety which can bring on depression ----sickness and diseases -in ones mind and body ----


In God's Word----Fear is used in 2 ways as well ------

Strong's Concordance
phobos:
Usage: (a) fear, terror, alarm, (b) the object or cause of fear, (c) reverence, respect.

fear meant withdrawal, fleeing because feeling inadequate

Fear is commonly used in Scripture – sometimes positively (in relation to God) but more often negatively of withdrawing from the Lord (His will).


I say --fear of the Lord means having reverence ---respect for Him

Satan uses fear to keep people from God and His word ------this fear instills doubt and unbelief of the Gospel so people cannot get the right Faith to be saved ---

My question was more about fear of things we face in life on a more regular basis at some point, such as fear of aging, loneliness, disease/sickness (and unknown future), accidents/injury, death, etc. These are fears in our head rather than something caused by an external threat (like fire, warzone, etc.). Are these fears from the devil? Through the Bible, God tells us not to fear. I am not sure if these fears are part of our natural state (part of being human) or caused by the devil.

I am not sure if these fears are part of our natural state (part of being human) or caused by the devil.

What examples do you have for irrational fear?

Is all fear from the enemy? I am not talking about the fear of the Lord. I am talking about fear of everything else, such as fears of tomorrow, aging, loneliness, failure, uncertainty, relationships, money worries, fear of flying/driving, social phobias/anxiety, etc. Some people are debilitated by fear. I think some fear is justified for preservation purposes, such as fear of fire or natural disasters. They serve as a warning for how to react or behave in certain situations. However, other fears are more in our head, such as fear of failure.

When is fear from the enemy, and when is fear okay/justified? How do you approach fear?

People with a specific phobia have a persistent, irrational fear of particular objects or situations such as:

• Balloons
• Bugs
• Dentists
• Driving
• Enclosed spaces (claustrophobia)
• Germs
• High places (acrophobia)
• School
• Water
• Snakes
• Blood
• Flying
• Elevators

Almost every time an angel appears in the Bible what do they say?

"Do Not Be Afraid, Be Strong"

Enough said

Joshua 1:9

Deuteronomy 31:8

Joshua 1:9

Deuteronomy 31:8