We're going to be talking about Good Fear and Bad Fear.

Fear of Satan and demons.

Many who identify as Christians show more towards the power of Satan than the awe, reverence, and fear of God.  Do you forget the creator of all things is God?  Who gives and takes aways.  God created lucifer, lucifer turned away from God, God casted him and his perversion out, gave him a new name, and cursed his fate.  But you're scared of the Devil?

• Isaiah 40:28,  Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  
• Job 1:21,  "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

Satan has been defeated and under God's authority!  The devil wants to lure us into sin, doubt, fear, and rebellion.  But Jesus has defeated that for us!  In Him we have hope!  In Him we have victory!  That was the whole reason He appeared, was to destroy the devil's work.  So do not fear evil, for God is with you.

• 1 John 3:8,  The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
• James 4:7,  Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
• Ephesians 6:11,  Put on the full amor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Remember, even demons fear the Lord.  They shudder; they flee in the name of the Jesus.  If the Lord is for us, why do we fear anything that's below Him?  We have been given rule over the earth, creation, and the ability out demons in Jesus' name!  So why do many take God's holiness lightly but speak much of Satan's activity. 

• James 2:19,  You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that - and shudder!
• Luke 4:41,  Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God!"  But he rebuked them and would not let them speak, because they knew he was the Messiah.
• 2 Timothy 1:7,  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
• Mark 9:38-39,  “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
  “Do not stop him, "Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me.”

Questions:

• Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can Ephesians 6:11 guide you in putting on the full armor of God?
• How does knowing that Jesus has defeated the devil influence your daily life and choices?

Fear for the future and other opinions of us and what we do.  

When we get scared because of opinions it's kind of like this.  Am I dressed weirdly?  Did I say the wrong thing?  Do they hate me?  Are they really my friends?  What if I mess up?  What if I make them Mad?   Why does it matter, you're scared it'll effect your future, and their opinions will stick with you right?  Well Jesus has told us not to worry about wordly thing but focus on Him.  Set your eyes on the Lord, align your heart with His and He will direct your path.

• Philippians 4:6,  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.
• Matthew 6:25,  "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?"
• Proverbs 29:25,  Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

Sometimes we're also scared for our future.  What if I can't pay my bills?  What if I can't afford groceries?  What if I fail my test?  What if I lose my job?  What if can't get into college?  What if I'm not good enough?  Jesus has already told us the Lord will provide.  If we're more valuable than the birds, and God takes care of them, wouldn't He take care of you?  Through Jesus we have the Spirit in us, that spirit does not make us timid.  So do not be afraid.

• 2 Timothy 1:7,  For the Sprit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
• Philippians 4:19,  And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
• Matthew 25:26,  "Look at the birds of the air: they do not sow or reap or store away in the barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Questions:

• Philippians 4:6 encourages us to present our requests to God with thanksgiving. Reflect on a current worry related to others' opinions. How can you bring this concern to God in prayer?
• In what areas of your future do you need God's direction and peace? Spend time in prayer, asking for His wisdom and trusting in His plan for your life.

Fear the Lord your God.

Lastly, we have the good kind of fear.  The respectful kind of fear.  The kind of fear that keeps us walking the narrow path.  The kind of fear that should dwell in every Christian.  Fear For God.  Why should we fear God?  Wasn't it Him that said Do not be afraid?  Didn't He give us a spirit that wasn't timid?  This fear is completely different.  This fear will change your soul forever.

The fear of God is not about terror or dread, but about reverence and awe.  It's a deep respect and recognition of His authority. In the book of Matthew, Jesu teaches us that the fear of God should outweigh the fear of anything else.  Fearing the Lord gives us wisdom, it leads to a righteous life, it leads to everlasting life, it reflects true worship, and God deserves our reverence.

• Proverbs 9:10,  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
• Proverbs 16:6,  Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for: through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
• Proverbs 19:23,  The fear of the lord leads to life; then one rest content, untouched by trouble.
• Psalm 2:11,  Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling.
• Psalm 33:8,  Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.
• Matthew 10:28, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell."

Questions:

• How do you differentiate between the fear of the Lord and the fear of man?
• In what ways has the fear of the Lord led you to seek wisdom and understanding in your daily life?
• How can you model and teach the fear of the Lord to others, especially within your family or community?
• In what ways do passages like Psalm 33:8 and Matthew 10:28 reshape your understanding of fearing the Lord?

When we fear the Lord, we no longer have to be afraid.  Do not be afraid is written 365 times in the bible.