Topical Encyclopedia Unholy fear, distinct from the reverential fear of the Lord, is a manifestation of a guilty conscience that can lead to spiritual and emotional turmoil. This type of fear is rooted in sin and disobedience, causing individuals to experience anxiety, dread, and a sense of separation from God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate the consequences of unholy fear and the importance of maintaining a clear conscience before God.Biblical Examples: 1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8-10): The first instance of unholy fear is found in the account of Adam and Eve. After disobeying God's command by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they experienced guilt and fear. "Then the man and his wife heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the breeze of the day, and they hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called out to the man, 'Where are you?' 'I heard Your voice in the garden,' he replied, 'and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself'" (Genesis 3:8-10). Their fear led them to hide from God, illustrating how sin disrupts the relationship between humanity and the Creator. 2. Cain (Genesis 4:13-14): After murdering his brother Abel, Cain was consumed by fear of retribution. "But Cain said to the LORD, 'My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground, and from Your face I will be hidden; and I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me'" (Genesis 4:13-14). Cain's guilty conscience led to a life of fear and alienation. 3. Saul (1 Samuel 28:5, 15-20): King Saul, having disobeyed God, was plagued by fear and insecurity. When faced with the Philistine army, "Saul saw the Philistine camp and was afraid; his heart trembled greatly" (1 Samuel 28:5). In desperation, he sought counsel from a medium, further compounding his guilt and fear. Saul's unholy fear ultimately led to his downfall. Teachings on Unholy Fear: 1. Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion" . This proverb highlights the contrast between the guilty conscience of the wicked and the confidence of the righteous. Unholy fear causes the wicked to live in constant anxiety, even when no threat is present. 2. 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love" . This verse emphasizes that unholy fear is incompatible with the love of God. A guilty conscience, rooted in sin, prevents individuals from experiencing the fullness of God's love and grace. 3. Hebrews 10:22: "Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" . The author of Hebrews encourages believers to approach God with confidence, having been cleansed from a guilty conscience through the sacrifice of Christ. Consequences of Unholy Fear: Unholy fear can lead to a range of negative consequences, both spiritually and emotionally. It can cause individuals to withdraw from God, avoid fellowship with other believers, and live in a state of constant anxiety. This fear can also lead to further sin, as individuals may seek to alleviate their guilt through worldly means rather than repentance and faith in Christ. The Bible consistently calls believers to live in the fear of the Lord, which is characterized by reverence, awe, and obedience. In contrast, unholy fear is a product of sin and a guilty conscience, leading to separation from God and spiritual unrest. Through repentance and faith, believers can be freed from the bondage of unholy fear and restored to a right relationship with God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 3:8,10And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 53:5 Proverbs 28:1 Library The Heavenly Race The Impotence of the Law. Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times. On Friendship with the World The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ... The First Fruits of the Spirit Chapter iii A Call to Backsliders A Description of Heart-Purity The Spirit of Bondage and of Adoption. 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 |