Fear: There’s More to It

An Emotional Faith, Part 2

I just recently got into a pretty wicked bike accident.

To make a long story short, my wife bought me a new bike because I had literally ridden my old bike into the ground. It was getting to the point where it was unsafe to ride it. So, she got me a new incredible bike with updated technology and aerodynamics. This felt like a jump from a scooter to a Ford Mustang.

Anyway, one of the new features is that it includes electronic shifting (ohhhh, ahhhh). Sounds fantastic, but I also have no idea how to use it. So, I got it ridable and hit the road.

Well, inevitably, I got up to high speed, shifted into a gear I hadn’t indexed, my chain stuck, my wheel locked, and I slid across the pavement on my left side going 25mph. See ya later, skin.

Then, it was time to ride the bike again. I was pretty convinced it was just going to happen again. I was terrified. Of course, I didn’t fall. The bike did its job. That moment taught me something… not all fear is bad.

Fear gets a bad reputation, especially in Christian circles. We often quote verses like “perfect love casts out fear” (see 1 John 4:18) and think all fear is inherently sinful. But! The Bible paints a more nuanced picture. There’s fear that destroys, but there’s also fear that builds. What if I told you that sometimes it is fear that roots us deeper into God’s character and order?

Fear That Hurts

Let’s start with the destructive kind. This is the fear that paralyzes us from trusting God. It’s the fear that gripped the Israelites when they stood at the edge of the promised land. God had told them to go in and take possession (see Numbers 13–14), but they saw the giants and fortified cities and decided retreat was safer.

That fear kept them wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. It was rooted in unbelief. It convinced them of the lie that God may not be strong enough to handle this (which we know is not true).

We’ve all been there. Maybe God is calling you into a new ministry role, a conversation you’ve been avoiding, or even just a season of life you didn’t expect. Destructive fear turns the volume up on “what if” and turns the volume down on “God said.”

Jesus confronted this fear in his disciples. In Mark 4:35–41 (ES), a storm nearly capsized their boat. The disciples panicked. Jesus calmed the storm and then asked, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” Their fear in that moment wasn’t reverence… it was disbelief.

The Fear That Heals

Now, flip the script here. Over and over, the Bible tells us to fear the Lord. Psalm 111:10 (ESV) says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 14:27 (ESV) calls it “a fountain of life.”

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This isn’t the fear of a harsh master waiting to punish. It’s the awe-filled recognition of God’s holiness, power, and authority. It’s knowing that he is creator and we are creation. That he holds the universe together, and that every breath we take is by his will.

When the Bible says to fear God, it’s inviting us into reality. A right view of him puts everything else into perspective.

Think about Exodus 20:20 (ESV). After God gives the Ten Commandments, Moses tells the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” Sounds like a contradiction… don’t fear, but fear? Moses is distinguishing between destructive fear (terror that pushes you away from God) and holy fear (reverence that draws you near and keeps you in step with Him).

Jesus and Fear

Even in the life of Jesus, we see the right kind of fear at work. Hebrews 5:7 (ESV) says that Jesus, “in the days of his flesh, offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” That word “reverence” carries the idea of holy fear. This is an awe-filled submission to the Father’s will.

In Luke 12:4–5 (ESV), Jesus tells his disciples, “Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But… fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”

Jesus isn’t calling us to live in anxiety. He’s redirecting our fear away from temporary threats and toward the eternal reality of God’s authority.

Diagnosing the Source

So how do we tell the difference between fear that’s from the flesh and fear that’s from the Spirit? Here are some things to consider…

Does it lead you toward God or away from him?

Holy fear draws you into obedience. Fleshly fear makes you hide.

Does it produce wisdom or paralysis?

Holy fear produces discernment and a desire to walk in God’s ways. Fleshly fear freezes you in disobedience.

Does it align with God’s Word?

Holy fear will always agree with Scripture. Fleshly fear often contradicts God’s promises.

[[ For what it’s worth, fear can disguise itself as “being realistic” or “just being careful.” Sometimes, it’s wise caution. Other times, it’s a lack of faith wearing a sensible mask. ]]

Why This Matters

If we treat all fear as bad, we risk losing one of the most foundational attitudes of the Christian life. Holy fear keeps us humble. It keeps us dependent on God. It reminds us that He is not a hobby or a side project. He is the Lord of all.

If we confuse holy fear with destructive fear, we might end up rejecting something that God actually calls good.

A Better Way to Say It

When people try to encourage others not to fear, they often quote “perfect love casts out fear” (see 1 John 4:18). That’s a beautiful truth, but in context, John is talking about the fear of final judgment for those who are in Christ. It’s not about never feeling afraid in daily life. This is a post for another day, haha!

If you want a better verse for encouraging someone in a season of uncertainty, consider Isaiah 41:10 (ESV), which says, “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.” That’s a promise for the here and now, grounded in the presence and power of God.

Living It Out

Don’t just aim to “fear less.” Aim to fear rightly. Let holy fear shape your view of God so that destructive fear loses its grip.

Spend time in passages that reveal God’s holiness, such as Isaiah 6, Revelation 4–5, or Psalm 99. Let them recalibrate your awe. Pray prayers that acknowledge both God’s majesty and his mercy. And when fear shows up, ask whether it’s leading you toward his presence or away from it.

Hopefully, That Made Sense

Fear isn’t always the enemy. Sometimes, it’s a gift. The goal isn’t to erase all fear. It’s often a matter of cultivating the kind that keeps us anchored to God’s reality. In a world full of noise, threats, and distractions, holy fear is the steady hand that keeps us from falling.

Until next time,

Petey