Four more types of fear
In part 4 of our study we consider a further 4 types of fear that are experienced by people generally including believers.
5. Fear of circumstances or consequences
An example of this type of fear is found with the prophet Elijah who after having destroyed the prophets of Baal, heard that the wicked Queen Jezebel was seeking revenge on Elijah. This produced fear and worry, and Elijah ended up hiding in a cave. At this point God gave Elijah various tasks to keep his mind off the threat of Jezebel. So when you experience this type of fear try to keep busy and remember to rehearse all the promises God has made to you in his word.
The enemy says on good deed goes unpunished; the Lord says no good deed goes unrewarded!
Scripture Antidote
Matthew 6:25 (Jesus speaking) Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
6. Fear of the unknown or future
This is a common type of fear, and a biblical example is that of Gideon. Gideon needed extra assurances from the Lord demonstrated by his laying out a fleece on more than one occasion which surprisingly God honoured. At the end of his career Gideon because he needed to know the future took the gold earrings of the Amalekites and melted them and fashioned the gold into a golden ephod (only the high priest was allowed to do this to get the word of the Lord for the future). So Gideon because of his fears for the future led Israel astray into idolatry[1].
We must realise 3 things about the future
a. God has a plan for your life
b. God’s grace is sufficient for you
c. God will provide exactly what you need at the point it is needed (not before).
7. Fear caused by sin
Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Fear can grip wicked people to the extent they run away even when no one is chasing them!
Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.
Sin produces fear, but righteous living produces peace.
We all need to keep short accounts with the Lord using where relevant 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
8. Irrational fears (phobias)
These fears are common even amongst believers and include fear of mice, spiders, snakes, and moths etc etc. These phobias are quite lightweight and usually can be removed by believing prayer.
Such fears can be like inherited fears where a child sees a parent overreacting to for example a mouse or other creature. It is as though the fear is transmitted from adult to child.
Scripture vs Fear
1 John 4:18 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.
Perfect love casts out fear, as we deal with fear in our lives the fear demons leave.
The more filled we are with his love the less room for fear to enter.
The more aware we are of God’s love for us the more confident we are he will help us
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
So where did the fear come from?
Prayer, Lord, we thank you for your keys for us to walk free from all ungodly fear.
Please give us a revelation of who we are in Christ.
Amen
For full text and access to all parts of 'Dealing with fear' please click on link below
[1] The Ephod that Gideon built was his own personal idol; perhaps a golden calf made from the gold he plundered in the battle, which became a stumbling block to his own household and all of Israel. This is the final downturn of his character and falling away of the one true God (see Judges 8:22-27).