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.

The problem of fear is as old as the existence of man. From the moment that Adam and Eve separated themselves from God through an act of disobedience, man has been haunted by fear.
The Bible speaks of two kinds of fear.
I. There is a fear of which is God-given.
It enables man to reverence God’s authority, obey His commands, and hate and shun evil. (Jer.32:14; Heb. 5:7) This fear is……….
1. Is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10)
2. The secret of happiness (Prov. 8:13)
3. God delights in it (Ps.147:11)
4. It is the whole duty of man (Ecc.12:13)
II. The Bible also speaks of a slavish fear.
It is a natural consequence of sin and the expectation of judgment. (Prov.28:1)

THE TYRANNY OF FEAR ( 1 John 4:18)

An Ultimate Cause of Fear ( 1 John 4:17-18; Heb. 9:27; Gen. 18:25)
An Immediate Cause of Fear
1. A Sense of Guilt (Gen. 3:10; Rom.3:19; 1 Cor. 11:27)
2. A Lack of Peace (Phil. 4:6-7; Isa. 2:4)
3. The Need of Christ (Eph. 2:13-14; Matt. 10:28; Luke 5:10;8:50)

THE MASTERY OF FEAR (1 John 4:18)

There Must be the Confession of the Son of God (1 John 4:14-15)
There Must be the Possession of the Holy Spirit of God (1 John 4:13; Gal.5:22-23)
There Must be the Expression of the Service of God (1 John 4:12,18)

There is no need to fear…….. 2 Tim. 1:72 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1. No need to fear people..( 2 Tim. 4:16-18)
2. No need to fear judgment (Rom. 8:34-35)
3. No need to fear the enemy (Ps.3:3-5; 91:5; Prov 3:24)
4. No need to fear provision (Mt. 6:31-33)