Fear is a universal human experience. From the first cry of an infant to the last breath of the dying, fear touches every life. Yet not all fear is the same. The Bible speaks of two kinds of fear: one that enslaves and destroys, and another that sanctifies and gives life.

The first fear is carnal and corrupt. It drives men to flee from God, to cower before created things, and to live in bondage to anxiety and dread. The second fear—the fear of the LORD—is holy, good, and the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).

To understand these two fears rightly is not merely an academic exercise; it is a matter of eternal consequence. One fear leads to death, the other to life. One fear is a chain, the other a crown.

A World Broken by Sin

When God created Adam and Eve, there was no fear in the Garden of Eden. There was only perfect love, perfect trust, and perfect fellowship between Creator and creature. But when sin entered through Adam’s transgression, fear entered with it.

We see it immediately in Genesis 3:8-10:

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Fear was not part of God’s design for humanity; it is a consequence of sin. The first fear Adam felt was not holy reverence but guilty terror. From that moment, fallen man has been plagued by the wrong kind of fear—fear of man, fear of death, fear of loss, fear of judgment—yet not the fear of God that leads to life.

A Snare to the Soul

Scripture warns repeatedly against this worldly fear. Proverbs 29:25 declares:

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”

This fear is a tool of Satan. It distorts reality, magnifies danger, and diminishes God in our hearts. It whispers lies that God is absent, indifferent, or powerless. It enslaves the mind and hardens the heart.

The Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

This verse does not suggest that fear never arises in the believer’s life. Rather, it teaches us that fear is not from God. When it comes, we must recognize it as alien to the Spirit who indwells us and fight it with the truth of God’s Word.

Reverence for the Holy One

While the fear of man cripples, the fear of the LORD strengthens. This fear is not dread of a capricious deity but awe-filled reverence before the majesty and holiness of God. It is a deep awareness of His glory, sovereignty, and justice, leading to worship, obedience, and trust.

Isaiah 8:13 commands:

“Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

This fear is the fountain of wisdom:

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

This fear purifies the heart. It causes us to hate sin because it dishonors God and to love righteousness because it reflects His character. It leads us to confess our sins and cling to Christ for forgiveness, knowing that only His blood shields us from God’s just wrath.

Christ: The One Who Delivers Us from Enslaving Fear

Christians are not called to live in a paralyzing dread of God’s judgment. For those who are in Christ, the wrath of God has been fully satisfied at the cross.

Romans 8:1 assures us:

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Through faith in Christ, the enslaving fear of punishment is replaced with filial fear—the loving reverence of a child toward his Father. The Apostle John captures this transformation beautifully:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

This does not eliminate the fear of the LORD but transforms it. As John Calvin wrote, “The fear of God is not that which shakes us with terror and drives us away from Him, but that which draws us and binds us to His service.”

Walking in the Fear of the LORD

How then do we cultivate this holy fear?

1. By Meditating on God’s Holiness

The fear of the LORD grows as we consider His attributes: His infinite power, His perfect justice, His unchanging faithfulness, and His boundless love.

2. By Remembering Our Dependence

Every breath we take is a gift from God. Our lives are in His hands. This should humble us and remind us of our utter dependence upon Him.

3. By Keeping His Commandments

Jesus said:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

Obedience is both the fruit and the evidence of the fear of the LORD.

The Blessings of the Right Fear

The fear of the LORD is not a burden but a blessing. It brings joy, security, and peace:

“The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them” (Psalm 34:7).

“By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life” (Proverbs 22:4).

Those who fear the LORD have nothing else to fear.

A Call to Right Fear

Dear believer, are you living in the wrong fear? Fear of man, fear of failure, fear of tomorrow? Lay it down at the foot of the cross. Look to Christ who conquered sin, death, and the devil. Take refuge in Him and ask the Spirit to work in you a holy, reverent fear of the LORD.

This is the fear that gives life. This is the fear that drives out all others.

Closing Prayer

O Lord of heaven and earth,
We come before You in awe of Your majesty and humbled by Your holiness. Forgive us for the many ways we have feared man more than You and trusted our own strength instead of resting in Yours.

Grant us hearts that tremble before Your Word, wills that delight to do Your will, and lives that reflect the beauty of Your holiness. Teach us to fear You rightly—not as slaves trembling before a tyrant, but as sons and daughters revering a perfect Father.

By Your Spirit, drive away every false fear that cripples us, and replace it with the holy fear that purifies, strengthens, and sustains us. Let us walk in Your ways all our days, rejoicing in Your goodness and mercy.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with You and the Holy Spirit reigns forever.

Amen.