Fear Meaning and Causes – Know How to Overcome Fear

Fear is a limiting force that makes you surrender to the thing(s) you fear.

Types of fear

There are two types of fear:

Good Fear: The fear of God Almighty.
Bad Fear: The fear of God’s creations.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
—Matthew 10:28

What are the effects of good fear?

Good fear stops you from doing bad things.
It stops you from going to bad places.
It stops your friendship with bad things or people.
Good fear stops you from having bad goals.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
—Psalms 111:10

What are the effects of bad fear?

Bad fear stops you from doing good things.
It stops you from going to good places.
It stops your friendship with good things or people.
Bad fear stops you from having good goals.

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
—Proverbs 8:13

What causes bad fear?

Below are the four prominent causes of bad fear.

1. Doubt

God wants you to be confident in His truth. Doubting any aspect of His word creates room for the devil to deceive you.

For instance, in Genesis 3, Eve doubted God’s instruction and allowed the serpent to lure her into eating of the forbidden tree. Consequently, she became fearful of God’s presence.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
—Revelation 3:15

2. Lack of knowledge

God wants you to update yourself with his daily news. Not knowing the current affairs in God’s kingdom gives Satan the opportunity to deceive you.

For instance, in Matthew 4:1-11, Jesus’ devotion to meditating in the Holy Spirit helped him overcome the devil’s deceptions. Christ habitually updated himself with the heavenly news. Therefore, he knew God’s truth and overcame fear.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
—Joshua 1:8

3. Communion deficiency

God wants you to commune with Him always. Losing connection with the Holy Spirit empowers satan to lead you into temptation.

For instance, in Genesis 4:6-8, Cain refused to seek God’s help when sin knocked at his door. Instead, he disconnected himself from the Holy Spirit and permitted the devil to lead him into temptation. Consequently, he became fearful of the future.

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
—Matthew 26:41

4. Disobedience

God wants you to obey Him always. Disobeying God causes you to delight the devil and create room for him to dominate.

For instance, in 1 Kings 13:11-32, the man of God from Judah disobeyed God and pleased the tempter.

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
—Deuteronomy 28:15

How to overcome bad fear

Here are four ways to overcome bad fear.

1. Never doubt God’s will.

Avoiding doubt is an essential way to overcome bad fear.

In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego feared the Almighty God rather than King Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom’s power because they never doubted God’s will.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew and believed Exodus 20:5. Therefore, they did not allow anything to lure them to worship idols.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
—Hebrews 11:6

2. Study God persistently

Persistently studying God will help you remember Christ’s truth.

In Numbers 14:1-10, Joshua and Caleb feared the Almighty God rather than the ridicule and shame of the congregation because they understood God.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
—Proverbs 3:5

3. Commune with God always

Communing with God at all seasons is essential to overcoming bad fear.

In Matthew 26:38-39, Jesus feared the Almighty God rather than suffering and death because he created time daily to discuss with his father, so he knew Jehovah’s will is always perfect.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
—Psalm 37:5

4. Obey God swiftly

Swiftly obeying God is a secretive way to avoid contemplating other options.

In Genesis 22:1-3, Abraham feared the Almighty God rather than accusations or the loss of a loved one because he focused solely on swiftly executing God’s instructions.

Procrastination creates the opportunity to consider other opinions that could lead you into temptation.

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
—1 Samuel 15:22

Why fear God?

Fearing God Almighty is a powerful way to limit yourself to Jesus and his love. It is the perfect way to overcome all forms of temptations.

Indeed, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge”—Proverbs 1:7. It makes you surrender your life to Jesus and enjoy the beauty of his holiness.

Fear God alone, for His secrets and blessings belong only to those who fear Him. (Psalm 25:14; 111:5)

Further study: 1 Samuel 17

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