Let me say at the outset that I have come to know that there is a very clear and precise difference between fear and being afraid. These two terms are not at all the same—they cannot be interchanged, and yet they are used in exactly the same way by many in the Church. Allow me to speak to the differences therein.

To be afraid is to be unable to respond to the circumstances of life than that of a victim—one not in control of things at all; helpless and vulnerable; expecting little but the worst result in any and all encounters with the “enemy”. The enemy is in fact the evil one who has risen against us. DUCK AND COVER!

That is not at all what the Scripture means about our being fear-filled! Fear in the biblical sense has nothing at all to do with being afraid of God. “Fear” in the Word of God has much more to do with an awareness of who God truly is. This, then, allows us to direct our lives in an appropriate manner before the Lord.

The Psalmist speaks to this in 111.10: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise. THE LORD IS NOT OUT TO GET US! He wants us to know him in order that we can trust him with all of life. He desires his best for us, and he was willing to die that we might have access to his presence. To fear the Lord is to know his will, to be willing to have him as Lord and to praise him ever!