“The winner will be, like them, dressed in white. I will never erase that person's name from the book of life, but I will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels."
Revelation 3:5
The fear of hell has been used to control and manipulate people for a long time.largoTime. I remember my grandfather on my mother's side using hellfire in her sermons. He was a person I modeled my ministry on.nobe like. I remember panicking every time she spoke or even walked into the room.Panic, however, does not come from God, it comes from the deepest, darkest,hotterhell places.
Hell is a supernatural place of torment that no Christian will ever have to experience. For those who reject the free forgiveness of Jesus by grace through faith?... Unfortunately, yes. But not us.
Jesus spoke more of hell than heaven. In Luke 16, He told the story of a man who died and went to hell. While he was there, he called to Abraham in heaven asking him to warn his family about this place of torment.He longed for a single drop of water to cool his tongue.(see Luke 16:24).
But Abraham replied: "Between us and you a great chasm has been placed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, and no one can pass from there to us" (see Luke 16:26). He then tells the man that if his family does not listen to what is written in the Scriptures, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead (see Luke 16:31).
Dude, hell is a real place, and it'sforever.The reason it's so bad is because it's a complete separation from God.Many people think that we are separated from Him now on earth, but HeThathere. It's not in hell, but here it is!
Just believe that Jesus has forgiven your sins and you won't go there! (See John 1:12, Ephesians 2:8-9).And youit doesBelieve that Jesus forgave you, you are safe!The punishment of sin, which is deathto drivedamn it, he was cared for on the Cross! Look what Peter said:
"For Christ also died once for sins,fair to unfair, to lead us to God, dead in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).
"The just for the unjust"? Who is unfair? We are! Or should I say, weThey wereThat is, before we believed we were forgiven by Him whoThatjust Jesus. Now we are fully justified! di ThisCorrectover there! And from what were we justified? Sin! What does sin do? It separates us from God!Jesus took our sins forever on the Cross!
Christian, your spirit is now free from sin! He is perfect! A perfect spirit is what God requires to enter heaven; a perfect spirit is what He requires to come and live within you now (see 1 Corinthians 6:19). That's why you don't have to be afraid of hell: God already lives in you and will never leave!
"Dude, that's a lie! EachrealThe believer knows that God blots out the names of Christians from the book of life all the time!”
Friend, I'm sorry you think that, but He doesn't.That verse, Revelation 3:5, is actually a comforting verse for Christians, not a scary one.Just look:
“The winner will be, like them, dressed in white. I'm comingNevererase that person's name from the book of life, butwill recognize that namebefore my Father and his angels." 🇧🇷Revelation 3:5)
John is telling us that our names will beNeverbe erased, and that Jesusorecognize us! That's not scary! This is very good news! You see?! This passage, which should bring us peace as children of God, has been used to incite terror by quasi-Christians of grace! This is unacceptable!We are not the ones who back down on this crap, but the ones who stand firm in the truth!(See Hebrews 10:39).
This reassuring verse has been twisted by self-centered people to get others to do what they want.themsay now! OR THEN TO HELL WITH YOU!”… as if they were God.
Friends, God doesn't work that way. Legalism yes, but God no. The Spirit of him that lives in us will never arouse fear, but, on the contrary, it will ignite trust. When young Timothy was struggling with fear, Paul encouraged him with the truth:
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
As you can see, fear does not come from God. It comes from the accuser and from our old, unrenewed thinking (see Revelation 12:10, Romans 12:2).Fortunately, God retrains our conscience to knowWhenwe should be afraid ofThan.Hell is not one of those things. Getting drunk and speeding is, but hell isn't. Therefore, as children of God, whenTo feelfear of hell, a red flag must appear in our souls letting us know that it does not come from Him.
“Yeah right Matt!RealChristians know that we can lose our salvation! This is something to beveryscared of!"
Is God a liar? Was he naive he to make us his abode forever? Is he constantly changing his mind about whether or not we are saved?... No. The answer is no. He was not temporarily stupid when he decided to make us spiritually perfect for free on the basis of faith and grace. He didn't go crazy when he saw that we would still have problems with our actions and attitudes. He is very intelligent.He knew that the only way we could be ready for heaven is if He accomplished that feat.forus.So he did. If you think you can lose your salvation, you surely think too much of yourself, as if you are really saving it. Wow, that's a lot of pressure.
Friend, the reason why we stay safe are two main reasons, and none of them have anything to do with us:
- The New Covenant is based on a promise between the Father and the Son, not us.We are merely the beneficiaries of his bloody contract. We did not create this agreement and cannot defend it. Instead, we just open our hands and say, "Thank you." In Hebrews 6, the Bible says that God swore by himself, that is, the Father to the Son, and vice versa, two immutable things.To beit is the anchor of our salvation, which is the mutual promise on the cross.
- The only way we can lose our salvation is if Jesus dies again, and that won't happen!Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore, you cankeep completelythose who draw near to God through him,because he always livesintercede for them.”
In 1 John 4, John writes to the early church about how we no longer have anything to fear. According to him, the reason why we should not be afraid is because "God's love for us is perfect" and "fear has to do with punishment." In his gospel he observesusYou will not be punished for anything! (See John 3:17-18).If we are to be punished, the cross was not all that was intended!John was saying that if you are still afraid of God, it is because you do not understand His love! (See 1 John 4:18). A love so great that it would never send you to hell!
So today, my friends, know this:Your old spirit is dead and your new spirit will never experience hell!(See Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 3:16). From the moment you first heard the gospel in faith, your old spirit was crucified.comJesus, was buried with Jesus, and then rose with Him in the spirit realm! (See Romans 6:6, 10:17). YOU ARE NEW! Perfectly new! That new spirit inside your body is sinless and will never experience torment in hell! (See Colossians 3:3, 1:22, John 10:28). you were sealedcomChrist until the day of redemption! (See Ephesians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 1:22). CHRISTIAN, YOU WILL NOT GO TO HELL, SO DON'T BE AFRAID! God already lives inside of you, so he trusts this truth!
A prayer for you: Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me about your perfect love that casts out all fear. My God, I was so afraid of unlearning. Thank you for teaching me the truth of what you have done to me. At this time, I lift up all of you who are reading this, directly to you. Many of them find it hard to believe what I just wrote, and I can relate. You have been taught incorrectly, through fear, that you are actually doing something to maintain your salvation, but you are not. It was free at first and it's still free. We do not "receive" our salvation, we receive it as a free gift. Please calm down today. Let them know that anything that starts with "yes" or "no" to keep their place in the Family is wrong. We keep our heavenly inheritance because of what Jesus did and nothing more. We are thankful for this hope that anchors our souls! Your promise to Jesus, and His to you, was a wonderful and loving idea! Help us grow in the knowledge of that grace and have confidence in who we are in you! A man.
This devotional is from 60 Days for Jesus, Volume 3. Get your copyon here!
Other themes
FAQs
Why does God want us not to fear? ›
God wants us to be filled with hope and trust, not fear. He has given us hope through the promise that he can uphold us by his strength today. And he has also promised those who have faith in Jesus Christ for their salvation a life of eternity with him.
How Christians should handle fear? ›Lay Your Burdens Down. As a Christian, don't fight or wrestle with your fears, hand them over to Jesus, moment by moment. Take time to read through Romans 5:1-6 and 1 Peter 1:1-7. Take the opportunity to challenge yourself to grow deeper in your faith.
Why fear of the Lord is important? ›First, fearing the Lord will give you wisdom (Psalm 111:10). Second, fearing the Lord will keep you from sin (Exodus 20:20). And third, fearing the Lord will motivate you in evangelism (2 Corinthians 5:11). All kinds of good will flow into the life of the person who fears the Lord.
How is godly fear different from worldly fear? ›Different from but related to the fears we often experience is what the scriptures describe as “godly fear” (Hebrews 12:28) or “the fear of the Lord” (Job 28:28; Proverbs 16:6; Isaiah 11:2–3). Unlike worldly fear that creates alarm and anxiety, godly fear is a source of peace, assurance, and confidence.
What Scripture says about not fearing? ›Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”
How to use faith to overcome fear? ›- Identify Your Fears. There are times when I've felt afraid, but I didn't even know why. ...
- Choose to Trust God with Your Fears. Now, if you are a control freak, this is going to be difficult for you. ...
- Seek God until He Takes Away Your Fears.
Having faith over fear involves considering the situation, weighing the options, and understanding the danger but then making the choice to fight through the fear and trust God anyway. It means pushing our fear to the side and replacing it with faith.
How does the Bible tell us to overcome fear? ›Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” The Good News: God's love is never failing; face your fears and move forward with courage.
Fear weakens our immune system and can cause cardiovascular damage, gastrointestinal problems such as ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome, and decreased fertility. It can lead to accelerated ageing and even premature death.
What does the fear of the Lord mean to Christians? ›
Fear of God may refer to fear itself, but more often to a sense of awe, and submission to, a deity. People subscribing to popular monotheistic religions for instance, might fear Hell and divine judgment, or submit to God's omnipotence.
Is fearing God the beginning of wisdom? ›Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 10:27, “The fear of the Lord prolongs days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”
Is fear a lack of faith in God? ›It is not impossible to live in faith and fear at the same time. We can have faith in God, God's plan for us, and God's plan for the world but still struggle with our very human fears. Our fears are our insecurities, which, at their core, can always be traced back to a core fear and suspicion of God.
How does God feel about fear? ›While fear is a common human experience, the Scripture's promise that God walks with the faithful at all times has heartened us to overcome our fears through the ages: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” ( ...
Is fear a gift from God? ›Because we fear, we learned to hold on our faith. Fear is a God-given emotion, intended to warn us and protect us.
How many times does the Bible say don't be afraid? ›That's a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless.
What Psalm says about not fearing? ›Ps 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
How to trust God and not fear? ›- Surrender your worries to God.
- Stay in the present moment.
- Meditate on God's Word.
- The Lord Himself will go before you. ...
- God's way is perfect. ...
- Don't be afraid! ...
- So don't worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will have its own worries.
Common fear triggers:
Darkness or loss of visibility of surroundings. Heights and flying. Social interaction and/or rejection.
- Fight fear.
- Freeze fear.
- Faint fear.
- Flee fear.
What is the true meaning of fear in the Bible? ›
The Hebrew word translated into 'awe' in the Bible is yirah (יראה, pronounced yir-ah). It often directly translates into fear, like “fear of the Lord,” but it can also mean respect, reverence, and worship. But, make no mistake about it, yirah is strongly connected to 'trembling'.
What are the three steps to overcome fear? ›- Take time out. It's impossible to think clearly when you're flooded with fear or anxiety. ...
- Breathe through panic. ...
- Face your fears. ...
- Imagine the worst. ...
- Look at the evidence. ...
- Don't try to be perfect. ...
- Visualise a happy place. ...
- Talk about it.
- Identify what you want. When you are overcome with fear, this is the time to pause. ...
- Realize what is stopping you from reaching what you want. ...
- Own your discomfort. ...
- Start feeling comfortable with the uncomfortable.
Job 11:13-18 says, “Surrender your heart to God, turn to him in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret. Then you won't be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, and your darkest night will be brighter than noon.
What is the benefit of overcoming fear? ›- Know what you're capable of. ...
- Turn your dreams into reality. ...
- Fear alerts us to what matters. ...
- Separate fact from fiction and move forward. ...
- Avoid regrets. ...
- Develop greater resilience. ...
- Overcome future fears. ...
- Encourage others to face and overcome their fears.
4. We are always stronger than we think. When we go right at it (and through it), fear can teach us so much about our personal powers and strength. There is no other feeling like the triumph you feel when you realize you did not get defeated, when you realize that instead, you actually made or did it!
Can we live a life without fear? ›We may never live perfectly fearless lives, but we must discover how to leave fear behind at important times and take action if we are to make progress, even if we are uncertain (without taking foolish risks).
Why is fear always harmful? ›Summary. Fear can be healthy. It is programmed into your nervous system, and gives you the survival instincts you need to keep yourself safe from danger. Fear is unhealthy when it makes you more cautious than you really need to be to stay safe, and when it prevents you from doing things you would otherwise enjoy.
Why do we need to have courage instead of fear? ›Because if you let it, fear has the power to stop you from moving forward, taking risks, and making the most of opportunities. Meanwhile, being courageous allows you to take chances, pursue your dreams, and get what you want out of life.
Should you fear God and Jesus? ›Fear keeps us from pursuing harmful things. It gives us a healthy respect for the things that are bigger, stronger, and mightier than we are. Solomon writes that if you want to be wise, you have to fear the LORD, and if you want to fear the LORD in the way He intends, you have to know Him.
What does fear of the Lord give us? ›
It keeps us from evil.
The opposite is also true: “Through the fear of the Lord, a man avoids evil” (Proverbs 16:6). That's why you want this fear. It's going to be a restraint, a defense, a protection for you.
Wisdom's seven pillars, according to scripture, are: fear of the Lord, instruction, knowledge, understanding, discretion, counsel, and reproof.
Where in the Bible does it say the fear of the Lord? ›The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. This is the first reference to one of the key concepts in Proverbs – “the fear of the LORD” (see also the verb phrase “fear the LORD;” 1:29; 3:7; 8:13; 24:21).
What does the Bible say about correcting a wise man? ›"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
Why is fear the enemy of faith? ›Fear robs us of rational thinking and can lead us to make poor decisions. When we let fear and anxiety control us, we lose our ability to practice empathy and hospitality to those in need. Both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures encourage us to treat those from other countries with hospitality and compassion.
What does it mean to walk in faith not fear? ›Endure and persevere in faith and hope in Christ during trials. Know his love and hold on to the promises of God that are yours, in Christ.
What is the cause of fear? ›Fear starts in the part of the brain called the amygdala. According to Smithsonian Magazine, “A threat stimulus, such as the sight of a predator, triggers a fear response in the amygdala, which activates areas involved in preparation for motor functions involved in fight or flight.
What does God say about the spirit of fear? ›2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind - Scripture Frame - Bible Verse.
What does the Bible say about faith over fear? ›Like a child, believe your Father and pick faith over fear each time. Reflect on what the Psalmist says in Psalm 56:3-4 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What happens when a person gets too scared? ›When a person is frightened or perceived to be in danger, the brain triggers a surge of adrenaline, which makes the heart beat faster and pushes the body instantly into "fight-or-flight" mode. It also affects the liver and pancreas, triggers perspiration and pushes blood toward major muscle groups.
Can fear be a blessing? ›
Courage is where our dreams live and anxiously await our arrival, hence redefining fear as a blessing and not a curse. When we look at fear as a door to our dreams then mustering up the self-confidence becomes a little easier. God bless.
Why you should not fear anything? ›Fear paralyzes people. This small four-letter word makes us lose sleep. It robs us of our peace and kills our joy. It consumes our thoughts and dictates our actions.
How can faith overcome fear? ›Faith is the opposite of fear. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith allows us to believe that God is going to do something great even before it comes to pass. Faith enables us to believe things that may not make sense to our natural minds. One of the main ways we release our faith is through what we say.
Why did the angel tell Mary not to be afraid? ›After the angel called Mary by name, he told her God was pleased with her. God knew everything about Mary and was happy with how she was living her life. God knew Mary, just like God knows us. He knows what brings us joy, and he knows what makes us afraid.
Where in the Bible does it say don't you fear God? ›Luke 23:40-49 King James Version (KJV)
But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Pantophobia refers to a widespread fear of everything. Pantophobia is no longer an official diagnosis. But people do experience extreme anxiety triggered by many different situations and objects.
Is it good to live without fear? ›Physical fear is natural and essential to our survival, but it's important to remember that irrational fear is not. It is irrational to be afraid of what doesn't exist. In fact, it can cause actual harm. And yet we've learned to let irrational fear shape our reality.
Is fear necessary in life? ›From the time we're infants, we are equipped with the survival instincts necessary to respond with fear when we sense danger or feel unsafe. Fear helps protect us. It makes us alert to danger and prepares us to deal with it. Feeling afraid is very natural — and helpful — in some situations.
How do I let go of my fear spiritually? ›- Face your fears. If you do not address your fears, they can accumulate with time. ...
- Acknowledge your fears. ...
- Communicate with your fears. ...
- Find a way to release fear. ...
- Be yourself. ...
- Invent yourself. ...
- Love and be loved. ...
- Flip the anxiety switch off.
Seek Him by reading what he has to say through the Bible. Seek Him through prayer; seek Him through your LifeGroup by having people pray for you. Seek Him in other books written by Christians (see the resources below;, seek after God day and night until He takes away your fears.
How many times does God say don't be afraid in the Bible? ›
That's a daily reminder from God to live every day being fearless.
How many times does fear not in the Bible? ›Essays on Faith: 'Fear not' is in the Bible 365 times.