Fear. This is definitely one of the effects of sin in our world. In other words if we have never sinned, we wouldn’t have fear. If we were physically in God’s presence always and we wouldn’t worry or fret about security, safety, loneliness, the future, death, and other unknowns. It would not even be something we would think about. Well I think we all would agree that we all experience fear in our life to some degree where we choose to ignore, avoid, or ponder on it. But what do we do with it…

So what does the Bible, God’s Word have to say about fear? Well first what’s fear? Merriam-Webster defines fear as “an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger.” Fear is experienced by all people: those who put their trust in Jesus, God’s own son and those who do not. Well what do you we do?

Remember fear is an effect of sin. In God there is not sin. In God there is not fear. For example, is there fear in heaven? No. Well why not? And the final response would be: “What is there to be afraid of?”

Here is the understanding. In heaven there is no fear. Those who believe in Jesus and have been forgiven of their sins will fear nothing. There is only pure bliss in the heaven, the place of God’s presence, where there is no sin or anything impure (Rev 21:27). Fear exists away from God’s presence where doubts, insecurity, sin, and a lack of truth reign. There is no fear in God’s presence (Isaiah 41:3). His perfect love removes fear (1 John 4:18).

For those who believe in the Jesus, there is no fear (Psalm 27:1,3 ; John 14:27). Ultimately what is there to fear (Rom 8:37-9 ; Hebrews 13:6)? They actually have heaven stored up for them. For the non-Christian fear is another thing is inescapable. It has ruled people’s lives. Every source and kind of fear is a reminder of the broken relationship we have with God. Simply said it’s a reminder of sin. Every reminder of sin should serve to remind us of the ferocity of the eternal, conscious suffering in hell.

What to do with fears? Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in Him alone. His love, forgiveness, and promise of eternal life is the only thing that can free one from sin and its affects. Otherwise, one has every reason to fear. One day the person who does not believe in Jesus will face an unimaginable eternal torment. I would be very afraid.