You might have noticed in my previous post that when G. Campbell Morgan was describing the fight between the forces of good and the forces of evil, he expressed it by saying it was a battle between fear and faith, which meant that fear was something we were not supposed to feel. Then later in his sermon he said that the spirit of the Christian running the heavenly race should be that he is cautious. And he referenced Proverbs 28:14 (KJV) which says, “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” So I wanted to write today a little bit about the different types of fear. We can talk about it more over time. But I wanted to share some study notes with you today to give you an idea of the different types of fear. Basically, there is a holy, reverential fear of God that arises from a sense of His goodness and there is a fear/terror of God that arises from a sense of His displeasure at sin. A person feels that dread of punishment if they are not reconciled to God…if they are not saved yet. Christians feel that reverential awe of God and His commands. After a person is saved, there is a type of fear that Christians feel that can indicate a lack of faith in God.

Now, let’s look at some Bible verses:

1) “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 (KJV)

The Berean Study Bible’s note on this verse says, “This phrase, ‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear,’ emphasizes that fear is not from God. In the biblical context, fear often represents a lack of faith or trust in God. The Israelites, for example, displayed fear when they doubted God’s promise to deliver them into the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14). Theologically, fear can be seen as a tool of the enemy, contrasting with the peace and assurance that come from God. The spirit of fear may also refer to timidity or cowardice, which is not in line with the boldness expected of believers. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that encourages believers to trust in God’s sovereignty and provision, as seen in passages like Isaiah 41:10, which reassures God’s presence and strength.”

“‘Fear’ here pictures timidity, cowardice, or intimidation—feelings that shrink back from obedience…1 John 4:18 [says], ‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.’ …[The spirit of anxiety] is foreign to our new nature in Christ. We resist it rather than accommodate it (Matthew 10:28).”

“God replaces fear with something far stronger. Acts 1:8 promises, ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.’ The indwelling Spirit equips ordinary people for extraordinary obedience. This power: strengthens our inner being (Ephesians 3:16), enables bold witness (2 Timothy 1:8), and turns weakness into a platform for divine strength (2 Corinthians 12:9)”

“Summary 2 Timothy 1:7 draws a sharp contrast: God never plants fearful timidity in His people. Instead, He gifts power to act, love to serve, and self-control to stay the course. Rooted in His unchanging character, these qualities equip us to face opposition, fulfill our callings, and reflect Christ with confident hearts.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Berean Study Bible Biblehub.com

So, fear is not from God. God gives us a spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. The indwelling Holy Spirit “equips ordinary believers for extraordinary obedience.” God enables us to reflect the character of Christ. And that is what we are supposed to be doing as we fight the fight of faith. Remember, the fight of faith is when we join the army of the faithful and fight in the battle between the forces of good and evil. The result is the triumph of good in our hearts. We go through the sanctification process and become more and more like Christ and reflect His character in our daily lives.

But there is a reverential fear of God that we are supposed to always have.

2) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)

The Berean Study Bible’s note on this verse says:

“‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.’ This phrase emphasizes the foundational role that reverence for God plays in acquiring true wisdom. In the biblical context, “fear” refers to a deep respect and awe for God’s power and authority, rather than terror. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew understanding of wisdom, which is not merely intellectual but involves living in accordance with God’s will. The idea that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord is echoed in other scriptures, such as Job 28:28 and Psalm 111:10, highlighting its centrality in the biblical worldview. Historically, this reverence was integral to the Israelite identity, setting them apart from surrounding nations that worshipped multiple deities. Theologically, this fear is seen as the starting point for a relationship with God, leading to a life of obedience and moral integrity.”

“‘And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’ This phrase underscores the importance of knowing God personally and intimately as the path to true understanding. The “Holy One” refers to God, emphasizing His purity, separateness, and perfection. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, knowing God was not just about intellectual assent but involved a relational and experiential knowledge. This is reflected in the Hebrew word “yada,” which implies a deep, personal acquaintance. The connection between knowing God and understanding is also seen in Hosea 4:6, where a lack of knowledge of God leads to destruction. In the New Testament, this concept is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God (John 1:18). Through Christ, believers gain access to the fullness of understanding and wisdom, as seen in Colossians 2:2-3, where all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. Proverbs 9:10 Berean Study Bible Biblehub.com

3) “Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” Proverbs 28:14 (KJV)

The Berean Study Bible’s note on this verse says:

“‘Blessed is the man who is always reverent.’ The concept of being “blessed” in biblical terms often refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity that comes from a right relationship with God. The idea of reverence here implies a continual awareness and respect for God’s presence and commandments. This aligns with the biblical principle found in Proverbs 1:7, where the fear of the Lord is described as the beginning of knowledge. Reverence is not merely an emotional response but a lifestyle of obedience and humility before God. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, reverence was demonstrated through adherence to the Law and participation in religious practices. This phrase suggests that a life marked by consistent reverence leads to divine favor and protection.”

The reverent man “maintains a constant attitude of reverence and fear of the Lord. In the Hebrew context, ‘reverent’ implies a deep respect and awe for God’s authority and commandments.” This reverence “aligns our hearts with God’s will and opens us to His guidance and wisdom.”

“‘Always reverent’ means living in continual awe of God—an attitude Proverbs 1:7 calls ‘the fear of the LORD.’ This is not cowering terror but humble awareness of His holiness and authority. Proverbs 14:26 assures, ‘In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence,’ and Philippians 2:12 urges believers to ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling’.” Proverbs 28:14 Berean Study Bible Biblehub.com

Matthew Henry says about this verse, “Proverbs 28:14. There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him.”

He is talking here about how “Perfect love drives out fear,” when he is saying that faith and love will deliver us from the fear of eternal misery…the fear of God’s judgment. We will rejoice in our salvation rather than feeling the paralyzing dread of eternal punishment. So, perfect love drives out the fear of judgment. But we should always fear offending God by sinning against Him.

In John Gill’s commentary on this verse, he writes that “a fear of wrath and damnation, or a distrust of his grace, a continual calling in question his love, and an awful apprehension of his displeasure and vengeance” always has torment in it and with that kind of fear in him a man can never be happy. So, a man cannot be happy as long as he has that tormenting fear of judgment in his heart. The type of fear that makes a man happy is “ a reverence and godly fear, a filial one, a fear of God and his goodness, which he puts into the hearts of his people; a fear, indeed, of offending him, of sinning against him, by which a man departs from evil, and forsakes it, as well as confesses it” and this reverential fear arises from a sense of God’s goodness rather than from a sense of his displeasure at sin. 

So, to summarize, there are different types of fear. There is a tormenting fear, or terror, arising from a sense of God’s displeasure at sin. And there is a reverential fear of God arising from a sense of His goodness. After a person is saved, they can still feel a fear, or timidness, that is the result of a lack of faith.

As you are going through your day, try to maintain a continual awareness and respect for God’s presence and commandments. See yourself running the Christian race…following Jesus as your guide. With an eye of faith, see yourself walking on the path of righteousness with Jesus. See Him continually there with you…walking with you each step of the way. And feel a reverential awe of Him, arising from His goodness and His love for you.