Topical Encyclopedia Unholy fear, distinct from the reverential fear of the Lord, is characterized by its consuming nature, often leading individuals away from faith and trust in God. This type of fear is rooted in anxiety, doubt, and a lack of faith, and it can dominate one's thoughts and actions, ultimately leading to spiritual paralysis.In the Scriptures, unholy fear is often depicted as a force that overwhelms and consumes individuals, preventing them from experiencing the fullness of God's promises. One of the most illustrative examples is found in the account of the Israelites' reaction to the report of the spies in the Book of Numbers. When the spies returned from Canaan, ten of them spread a report that instilled fear among the people: "We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them" (Numbers 13:33). This fear consumed the Israelites, leading them to rebel against God's command to enter the Promised Land. The consuming nature of unholy fear is further highlighted in the New Testament. In the parable of the talents, Jesus describes a servant who, out of fear, hides his master's money instead of investing it. The servant confesses, "I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground" (Matthew 25:25). This fear leads to inaction and ultimately results in the servant's condemnation. Unholy fear is also addressed in the epistles, where believers are encouraged to overcome it through faith. The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). This verse underscores the idea that unholy fear is not from God and that believers are equipped with the means to overcome it. The consuming nature of unholy fear is contrasted with the peace and assurance that come from trusting in God. In the Psalms, David expresses confidence in the Lord's protection, saying, "The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?" (Psalm 27:1). This trust in God dispels fear and prevents it from taking root and consuming the believer. In summary, unholy fear is depicted in the Bible as a consuming force that can lead to disobedience, inaction, and spiritual stagnation. It is a fear that arises from a lack of faith and trust in God, and it stands in stark contrast to the peace and confidence that come from a relationship with the Lord. Believers are called to reject this fear and instead embrace the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline that God provides. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 73:19How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption. The Way to God Free Grace Useful Phrases The Doctrine of God From the Close of the General Conference of 1820 to the Beginning ... A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ... The Pharisee and the Publican Answer to Eunomius' Second Book . A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican Resources Is it true that fear is a liar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear not / do not fear? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about fear? | GotQuestions.org Fear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fear of God: A Motive of Obedience Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: David Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Job, According to the Testimony of Satan Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Jonah, During the Storm Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: Noah, in Preparing the Ark Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: The Jews, in Obeying the Voice of the Lord Fear of God: Conspicuous Instances of Those Who Feared: The Women at the Grave Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Adam and Eve Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Demons Fear of God: Guilty Fear: Judas Fear of God: Guilty Fear: The Guards at Jesus' Tomb Fear of God: Hezekiah, in his Treatment of the Prophet Micah, Who Prophesied Harm Against Jerusalem Fear of God: Jacob, in the Vision of the Ladder, and the Covenant of God Fear of God: Obadiah, in Sheltering One-Hundred Prophets Against the Wrath of Jezebel Fear of God: Phinehas, in Turning Away the Anger of God at the Time of the Plague Fear of God: The Egyptians, at the Time of the Plague of Thunder and Hail and Fire Fear of God: The Midwives of Egypt, in Refusing to Take the Lives of the Hebrew Children Fear of God: The Nine and One-Half Tribes of Israel West of the Jordan River Godly Fear: A Characteristic of Saints Godly Fear: A Fountain of Life Godly Fear: A Treasure to Saints Godly Fear: Filial and Reverential Godly Fear: God is the Author of Godly Fear: God is the Object of Godly Fear: Motives to Judgments of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Forgiveness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Goodness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Greatness of God Godly Fear: Motives to The Holiness of God Godly Fear: Motives to Wondrous Works of God Godly Fear: Necessary to Avoiding of Sin Godly Fear: Necessary to Impartial Administration of Justice Godly Fear: Necessary to Perfecting Holiness Godly Fear: Necessary to Righteous Government Godly Fear: Necessary to The Service of God Godly Fear: Necessary to The Worship of God Godly Fear: Searching the Scriptures Gives the Understanding of Godly Fear: should Accompany the Joy of Saints Godly Fear: should be Constantly Maintained Godly Fear: should be Exhibited in Giving a Reason for Our Hope Godly Fear: should be Exhibited in Our Callings Godly Fear: should be Prayed For Godly Fear: should be Taught to Others Godly Fear: The Wicked Destitute of Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Accepted of God Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Blessed Godly Fear: Those Who Have are Pitied by God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Afford Pleasure to God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Confide in God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Converse Together of Holy Things Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Days of, Prolonged Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Depart from Evil Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Desires of, Fulfilled by God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: Receive Mercy from God Godly Fear: Those Who Have: should not Fear Man Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Future Punishment Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Idols Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Judgments Unholy Fear is Described as a Fear of Man Unholy Fear is Described as Consuming Unholy Fear is Described as Overwhelming Unholy Fear: A Characteristic of the Wicked Unholy Fear: A Guilty Conscience Leads To Unholy Fear: Adonijah's Guests Unholy Fear: Exhortations Against Unholy Fear: Saints Delivered From Unholy Fear: Saints Sometimes Tempted To Unholy Fear: Seizes the Wicked Unholy Fear: Shall be Realised Unholy Fear: Surprises the Hypocrite Unholy Fear: The Wicked Judicially Filled With Unholy Fear: Trust in God, a Preservative From Related Terms |
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