The Fear of Men
Proverbs 25:26 “A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.”
29:25 “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.”
Isaiah 51:7 “. . . fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.”
Examples: Nicodemus visits the Lord at night. John 3:1-2
The parents of the blind man refuse to testify of the Lord. John 9:22
The politicians were “secret” Christians. John 12:42-43
Joseph of Arimathaea was a “secret” Christian. John 19:38
Peter held “secret” doctrine. Galatians 2:11-12
Jeremiah 1:6-8 “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.”
Examples: Abraham is afraid and calls his wife his sister. Genesis 12:13
and again a second time Genesis 20:2
Isaac does the same thing as his dad. Genesis 26:7
Aaron made a golden calf. Exodus 32:1-6
Some of the spies were afraid of the giants. Numbers 13:31
Israel was afraid to fight for the promised land. Numbers 14:1-3 (Pathetic!)
Israel fled from before the Philistines. 1st Samuel 13:5-7
Israel fled from before Goliath. 1st Samuel 17:24
Saul feared the people. 1st Samuel 15:24
Samuel feared Saul. 1st Samuel 16:1-2
The people feared Samuel. 1st Samuel 16:4
The disciples were afraid when the multitude came to get the Lord. Matthew 26:55-56
Peter denied the Lord because he feared the crowd. Matthew 26:69-74
Pilate condemned the Lord even though he knew he was innocent because he feared the crowd. John 19:12-16
Fear of Emotionally Charged “Things”
The disciples were afraid because the Lord walked on the water. Matthew 14:25-27
(Water, especially under adverse conditions, makes people afraid.)
The disciples were afraid because of the wind and the waves. Matthew 8:25, Mark 4:38, & Luke 8:24
Fearfulness in the Last Days
Luke 21:9 “But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified. . . .”
v. 11 “And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights. . . .”
v. 25-26 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them for fear. . . .”
Matthew 24:6 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled. . . .”
Examples and Exhortations To Not Fear:
1st Samuel 17:24,48 “And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.”
Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Isaiah 41:10-15 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee. . . . Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not. . . .”
51:1-13 “. . . who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die. . . ?”
Hebrews 13:6 “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Matthew 8:23-27 “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” (The question contains the answer!)
Isaiah 35:4 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
Matthew 10:28-31 “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (See above: Luke 21:26 & Matthew 24:6)
Luke 12:4-7 “Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Isaiah 8:9-14 “Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”
35:4 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”
Psalm 27:1 “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?”
Malachi 4:1-3 “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Romans 8:31 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Fear Sent of God
Leviticus 26:36-39 “. . . and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them. . . .”
Deuteronomy 32:30 “How should one chase a thousand . . . except their Rock had sold them. . .?”
Joshua 7:1-12 “Israel hath sinned. . . . Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies. . . .”
23:1-10 “One man of you shall chase a thousand. . . .”