2. Introduction:
• Many people have various fears.
– Phobias abound: Phobophobia- Fear of fear,
Logophobia- Fear of words, Bogyphobia- Fear of
the bogeyman, Deciophobia- Fear of making
decisions, Lupophobia- fear of wolves
• What does the bible teach us about fear?
• As God’s people we need to make sure that
we utilize the proper attitudes toward fear and
keep our minds focused on God’s ways.
• What do you fear?
3. What Is Fear?
• The words for fear usually have different
meanings and are used in different ways.
• Phobos - 1) fear, dread, terror 1a) that which
strikes terror 2) reverence for one’s husband.
Matthew 14:26 5401 Thayer’s Lexicon
• Phobeo - 1) to put to flight by terrifying (to scare
away) 1a) to put to flight, to flee 1b) to fear, be
afraid 1b1) to be struck with fear, to be seized
with alarm 1b2) to fear, be afraid of one 1b3) to
fear (i.e. hesitate) to do something (for fear of
harm) 1c) to reverence, venerate, to treat with
deference or reverential obedience -verb 5399
4. What Is Fear?
• The word fear is used 400 times in the bible.
– Usually used with the meaning of terror
– Sometimes used as reverential obedience
– There are other meanings as well: cowardice,
anxiety, to beware, discretion, etc.
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Animals can fear man. Gen. 9:2
Man could fear man. Gen. 50:19
Man should fear God. Mt. 10:28
Fear is something that can immobilize people
in different ways.
5. What Should We Not Fear?
If you’re faithful to God…
• Persecution from man for us being
Christians. Hebrews 13:5-6
• Man and killing of the body. Matthew 10:28
– Death is a comforting thing for God’s children.
2 Corinthians 5:1-8
• God’s wrath… Hebrews 10:26-31
• Foolish tales… Luke 21:8, 25-ff; 2 Tim. 2:23
• Love will not allow us to be hindered by the
disruption of unhealthy fear. 1 Jn. 4:12,17-18
6. Are You Still Afraid?
Don’t be, we are not ignorant! 2 Cor. 2:11
Wolves - metaphorically of cruel, greedy,
rapacious, destructive men.
• Wolves to Avoid…
– Evil men…Matthew 10:16
– False teachers… Matthew 7:15
– Church destroyers… Acts 20:29
– Divisive men… Titus 3:9-11
– The devil… 1 Peter 5:8
– Demons… 1 Timothy 4:1-2
