“Fear Is Caught and Taught: So What Are You Afraid Of”

Puritan John Flavel (Triumphing Over Sinful Fear) observed that there are three different kinds of fear. Natural fear is a response to approaching evil or impending danger. While not necessarily sinful, it exists because of sin (it is a result of the Fall). Sinful fear arises from unbelief, which is an unworthy distrust of God. Godly (or religious) fear is described in the Scriptures as the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is both prevention and antidote to sinful fear. Proverbs chapter 2 illustrates a conversation between a father and a son, with an invitation to find the fear of the Lord.