FEAR NOT
Includes courage, trusting, peace & fearing God
1. The Lord tells you not to fear:
Isaiah 7:4 Be quiet, fear not, neither be fainthearted
A. God is with you; therefore you should not fear:
Proverbs 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong & of a good courage; be not afraid…for the Lord is with thee
Psalms 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do
Isaiah 12:2 God is my salvation; I will trust, & not be afraid
Isaiah 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee…I will help thee
Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock
(See also Numbers 14:9;Psalms 78:53;Matthew 17:6,7.)
B. God is greater than your adversaries, & He will keep you:
1 John 4:4 Greater is He that is in you, than he…in the world
Luke 10:19 I give you power…over all the power of the enemy
Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light…whom shall I fear?
Proverbs 3:25,26 Be not afraid of sudden fear…Lord shall keep [thee]
C. Don’t fear people’s faces or looks:
Jeremiah 1:8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee
Ezekiel 3:9 Fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks
D. The Lord promises you peace:
Job 22:21 Acquaint now thyself with Him, & be at peace
Psalms 29:11 The Lord will bless His people with peace
Proverbs 3:24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee
John 14:27 My peace I give unto you…let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid
John 16:33 In Me ye [can] have peace…I have overcome the world
Galatians 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is…peace
Philippians 4:7 The peace of God…shall keep your hearts & minds
2. Trusting in God overcomes fear:
A. When you trust God, you don’t need to fear anything:
2 Kings 6:14-17 Fear not: for they (God’s angelic army) that be with us are more than they that be with them
2 Kings 19:6,7 Be not ye afraid of the words which thou hast heard
Nehemiah 4:14 Be not afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great & terrible, & fight
Psalms 3:6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about
Psalms 27:1,3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me
Psalms 46:1,2 God is our refuge…Therefore will not we fear, though the mountains be carried into the…sea
Isaiah 43:1-3a Fear not…when thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee
Hebrews 13:6 We may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, & I will not fear what man shall do unto me”
Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer…be faithful unto death, & I will give thee crown of life
B. Examples of courage & fearlessness in danger:
Proverbs 14:12-14 [Caleb fearlessly conquered the giant Anakims–See also Proverbs 15:13-15; Numbers 13:28,33; Deuteronomy 9:1,2]
Nehemiah 6:5-11 [Nehemiah refused to be bluffed into fearing, or into fleeing into the temple in fright]
Daniel 3:14-17 [Three Hebrews fearlessly refused to worship the idol]
Daniel 6:4-10 [Knowing it could cost him his life, Daniel refused to compromise his faith in God]
John 19:9-11 [Jesus refused to be put in fear of Pilate’s power]
Philippians 1:14 Many brethren, waxing confident (because of) my bonds, aremuch more bold to speak the Word without fear
Hebrews 11:27 (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing wrath of the king
(See also Ezr.8:21-23,31; Acts 4:17,18,29,33; 7:54-60.)
C. Examples of men who refused to fear, though all others did:
1 Samuel 14:1-14 [Jonathan & armourbearer attacked Philistine garrison, while everyone else was terrified–1 Samuel 13:5-7]
1 Samuel 17:4-11,23-37,48 [All the armies of Israel were “sore afraid” of Goliath, but David boldly attacked him]
2 Samuel 23:8-22 [David’s mighty men stood their ground & defeated their enemies despite overwhelming odds]
3. Some causes of fear:
A. A lack of faith & trust in God & His Word:
Matthew 8:26 Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?
Mark 4:40 Why are ye so fearful? How is it ye have no faith?
Isaiah 51:12,13 Who art thou, that thou [art] afraid of a man…& forgettest the Lord thy maker?
B. Looking at circumstances & conditions:
Proverbs 17:14-18 [Israelites fearful to attack the Canaanites because the Canaanites had powerful chariots of iron]
Psalms 107:23-27 [Storm at sea] Their soul is melted…at wit’s end
Matthew 14:30 [Peter, walking on the sea] saw the wind boisterous… was afraid; & (began) to sink
Mark 4:37-40 [Storm on Sea of Galilee throws disciples into fear]
2 Corinthians 7:5 We were troubled on every side…within were fears
(See also Isaiah 7:1,2 )
C. A lack of the Spirit & love of God:
1 John 4:18 He that feareth is not made perfect in [God’s] love
D. Disobedience to God’s Word:
Deuteronomy 28:58,65-67 If thou wilt not observe…the Lord shall give thee a trembling heart…& thou shalt fear day & night
Leviticus 26:15,17,36 If ye despise My statutes…ye shall flee when none pursueth…sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them
Jeremiah 6:19,22-25 I will bring evil…because they have not hearkened unto My Words…fear is on every side
E. Punishment for unrepented sin:
2 Chronicles 29:6,8 Our fathers have trespassed…wherefore He hath delivered them to trouble (literally: trembling)
Job 18:5,11 Terrors shall make (the wicked) afraid on every side
Isaiah 48:22 There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked
F. Evil spirits:
1 Samuel 15:23, Thou (Saul) hast rejected the word of the Lord…an
16:14,15 evil spirit from the Lord troubled (terrified) him
4. What fear can result in:
A. It can cause you to become bound:
Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare
Hebrews 2:15 Who through fear of death were…subject to bondage
B. It can cause weakness:
Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, & trembling…all my bones shake
Isaiah 13:8 They shall be afraid: pangs…shall take hold of them
Jeremiah 6:24,25 Our hands wax feeble…fear is on every side
C. It can sap your will to fight & cause defeat:
Leviticus 26:36,37 Ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies
Proverbs 2:11 As soon as we heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage
Proverbs 5:1 Their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more
(See also 1 Samuel 13:6,7 )
D. It hinders you from witnessing or standing up for your convictions:
Matthew 26:56 Then all the disciples forsook (Jesus), & fled
Matthew 26:69-74 [Peter, fearful, denied that he knew Jesus] (See also Mark 14:66-72;Luke 22:54-60;John 18:16,17, 25-27.)
John 7:13 No man spake openly of Him for fear of the Jews
John 9:22 These [evasive] words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews
John 12:42,43 Many believed on Him; but did not confess Him…for they loved the praise of men more than praise of God
John 19:12-16 [Pilate, fearing the Jews, gave in to their demands to have Jesus crucified]
John 19:38 JosEphesians..a disciple, but secretly for fear of the Jews
E. It can cause you to disobey God:
Numbers 13:28,31-33 [Jews refused to invade Canaan for fear of the giants] (See also Numbers 14:1-5; Deuteronomy 1:26-28.)
1 Samuel 15:24 I have sinned…transgressed the commandment of the Lord…because I feared the people
F. It can cause mental torment & anguish:
1 John 4:18 Fear hath torment
G. Fear can even cause sickness & death:
Luke 21:26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear
(See also 1 Samuel 14:15,16; 28:5.)
H. If not checked, fear can get a grip on you:
Psalms 48:6 Fear took hold of them, & pain, as a woman in travail
Psalms 55:5 Fearfulness & trembling are come upon me, horror hathoverwhelmed me
Jeremiah 6:22-25 Anguish hath taken hold of us…fear is on every side
I. Unchecked fear can become extreme:
Leviticus 26:17,36 Ye shall flee when none pursueth…sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them
Deuteronomy 28:66,67 Thou shalt fear day & night, & shalt have none assurance of thy life
Job 18:11,14 Terrors shall make him afraid on every side…shall bring him to the king of terrors
Psalms 53:5 There were they in great fear, where no fear was
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth
J. Fears can materialise & become real things:
Job 3:25 The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him
Isaiah 66:4 I will choose their delusions…bring their fears upon them
K. Fear is contagious & can affect others:
Deuteronomy 20:8 What man is fearful? Let him go…lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart
Judges 7:3 Whosoever is fearful & afraid, let him…depart
(See also Judges 7:19-22;1 Samuel 14:12-16.)
5. How to have peace & freedom from fear:
A. Trust in the Lord:
Psalms 23:4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me
Psalms 31:13,14 Fear was on every side…but I trusted in Thee
Psalms 56:3,4 What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me
Psalms 56:11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid
Psalms 91:2,5 The Lord is my refuge…[I shall] not be afraid for the terror by night
Psalms 112:7,8 He shall not be afraid…heart (trusts) in the Lord
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee
Matthew 10:28 Fear not them which kill the body…but fear (God)
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled…believe in Me
Philippians 4:7 The peace of God…shall keep your hearts & minds
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; love casteth out fear
B. Trust in God’s Word:
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love Thy law: & nothing shall offend them
Proverbs 1:33 Whoso hearkeneth unto Me…shall be quiet from fear
Proverbs 3:1,2 Let thine heart keep My commandments…peace shall they add to thee
Isaiah 48:18 O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! Then had thy peace been as a river
C. Remember that God is with you & will not fail you:
Deuteronomy 1:29,30 Dread not, neither be afraid of them…God goeth before you, He shall fight for you
Deuteronomy 20:3,4 Let not your hearts faint, fear not, & do not tremble, neither be ye terrified…for God goeth with you
Deuteronomy 31:6 Fear not, nor be afraid…God… will not fail thee
Zechariah 8:13b Fear not, but let your hands be strong
Mark 5:36b Be not afraid, only believe
D. When others with you are afraid:
Isaiah 8:12b Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid
Isaiah 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, fear not: behold, God…will come & save you”
E. Seek the Lord for deliverance from fear:
Psalms 34:4 I sought the Lord, & He heard me, & delivered me from all my fears
Psalms 64:1 O God…preserve my life from fear of the enemy
F. Forsake your sins:
Job 11:13-15 [Pray to God &] put (iniquity) far away…Then shalt thou…be steadfast, & shalt not fear
G. Rebuke the devil & the spirit of fear:
James 4:7b Resist the devil, & he will flee from you
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; perfect love casteth out fear
H. The solution–the Holy Spirit & faith:
Acts 4:29,31 Behold their threatenings…grant unto Thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy Word
Hebrews 11:33a,34 Who through faith…waxed valiant in fight
6. The only One you should fear is God:
A. We are commanded to fear (reverence) God:
Proverbs 24:14a Fear the Lord, & serve Him in sincerity & in truth
Psalms 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean (Compare with Proverbs 29:25 )
Proverbs 3:7 Fear the Lord, & depart from evil
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Fear God, & keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man
Isaiah 8:12,13 Neither fear ye their fear…let Him (God) be your fear, & let Him be your dread (See also Isaiah 57:11 )
Luke 12:4,5 Be not afraid of them (men)…I will warn you Whom ye shall fear: Fear Him (God)…yea, I say, Fear Him
Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of…God
(See also Matthew 10:28 )
B. God’s blessings on them that fear Him:
Psalms 25:12 He that feareth the Lord…shall He teach in the way
Psalms 31:19 How great is Thy goodness…for them that fear Thee
Psalms 34:9 There is no want (lack) to them that fear Him
Psalms 103:13 The Lord (has compassion on) them that fear Him
Psalms 147:11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom
Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence
Malachai 4:2 Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings
Luke 1:50 His mercy is on them that fear Him
Acts 10:35 He that feareth Him…is accepted with Him
Revelation 11:18 Reward Thy servants, & them that fear Thy name
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