Introduction

Fear is the negative emotion of dread toward anticipated future evil.

1. Fear is the negative emotion of dread toward anticipated future evil
1. Even fear of a large dog that is barking and running toward you is really fear of what you anticipate the dog may do to you.
2. Fear may be good or bad
1. Good fear includes the fear of the Lord and a sensible fear of things that may harm us. These fears do not overwhelm us and they cause us to take wiser actions (Proverbs 1:7The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
   See All...).
2. Bad fear may come in several forms
1. Fear of the wrong things; like fear of man (Proverbs 29:25The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
   See All...)
2. Fear that destroys our ability to take proper action (Matthew 17:6And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
   See All...)
3. Fear that causes wrong actions (Matthew 25:25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
   See All...)
4. Fear that overcomes godly virtues like peace, hope, and joy (Matthew 8:23-26 [23] And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. [24] And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. [25] And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. [26] And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
   See All...)
3. Bad fear can be defined as the absence of faith (Matthew 8:26And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
   See All...)
1. Faith is the act by which we take God at His word. This means that we take His promises as fact. Since He has promised to always be with His saints (Hebrews 13:5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
   See All...) and has assured us that all things will work together for good (Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
   See All...), we have no cause to fear the future as the lost do.
2. Fear dreads the coming of evil things and reacts emotionally to it as if it is a fact. However, of the things we fear most, few ever happen and most of those that do are not as bad as we feared.
4. When experiencing fear, discern what kind of fear it is:
1. Is it good fear or bad fear?
2. If good, are our reactions to it sensible or extreme?
5. If the fear is bad fear, then take biblical steps to combat it
1. Remember that God is in charge of our future (Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
   See All...).
1. As our shield, He protects from danger.
2. As our reward, He promises to bring good.
3. With God on our side, we have nothing to fear (Psalm 118:6The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
   See All...; Hebrews 13:6So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
   See All...)
2. Meditate on the promise of God’s presence (Genesis 26:24And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
   See All...).
3. Practice trusting the Lord as your very strength and allow Him to increase your faith (Psalm 46:1-2 [1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
   See All...)
4. Immediately take all your fears to the Lord and leave them with Him (Psalm 3:4-6 [4] I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. [5] I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. [6] I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.
   See All...). Specifically ask Him to deliver you from your fears (Psalm 34:4I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
   See All...).
5. Practice trusting fully in God’s watchcare over us as a Father who guides His children (Psalm 23:4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
   See All...).
1. His rod will correct us when we go astray.
2. His staff will protect us when we are in danger
6. Compare what you fear with who you follow and see if the fears do not seem much smaller (Psalm 27:1-3 [1] The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [2] When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. [3] Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
   See All...)
7. Memorize and meditate on scriptures that increase your faith (Psalm 56:3-4 [3] What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. [4] In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
   See All...).
8. Draw close to God. We often fear because we have strayed from Him and fail to experience His presence and strength (Psalm 91:1-6 [1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. [4] He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. [5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; [6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
   See All...).
9. Allow God to work in you His spirit of love, power, and strength of mind (2Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
   See All...).