Topical Bible: Unholy Fear: The Wicked Judicially Filled With

◄ Unholy Fear: The Wicked Judicially Filled With ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Unholy fear, as depicted in the Bible, is a state of dread and terror that grips the hearts of the wicked as a consequence of their rebellion against God. This fear is not the reverential awe that believers are encouraged to have towards God, but rather a debilitating and punitive fear that arises from guilt and the anticipation of divine judgment.

Biblical Context and Meaning

Unholy fear is often portrayed in Scripture as a judicial act of God, where the wicked are filled with terror as a result of their own sinful actions. This fear is a manifestation of God's righteous judgment upon those who have rejected His commandments and chosen a path of iniquity. It serves as both a consequence and a forewarning of the ultimate judgment to come.

Scriptural References

1. Proverbs 28:1 : "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion." This verse highlights the irrational fear that plagues the wicked. Their conscience, burdened by guilt, causes them to live in constant fear, even when there is no immediate threat. This is contrasted with the boldness of the righteous, who live in peace and confidence.

2. Leviticus 26:36-37 : "As for those of you who survive, I will send despair into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight; they will flee as though fleeing from the sword, and they will fall, even though no one is pursuing them. They will stumble over one another as if fleeing from the sword, though no one is after them." Here, God describes the terror that will fill the hearts of the disobedient Israelites as part of His judgment. This fear is so intense that even the rustling of leaves will cause them to panic.

3. Isaiah 33:14 : "The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling grips the ungodly: 'Who of us can dwell with a consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting flames?'" This passage illustrates the fear that seizes the ungodly when confronted with the holiness and judgment of God. Their awareness of their own sinfulness leads to a terror of God's righteous presence.

4. Deuteronomy 28:65-67 : "Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul. Your life will hang in doubt before you, and you will be afraid night and day, never certain of survival. In the morning you will say, 'If only it were evening!' and in the evening, 'If only it were morning!'—because of the dread in your hearts and the sights you will see." This passage describes the relentless fear and anxiety that will afflict the Israelites as a result of their disobedience, emphasizing the psychological torment that accompanies divine judgment.

Theological Implications

Unholy fear serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine justice. It underscores the moral order established by God, where wickedness leads to fear and righteousness to peace. This fear is not merely an emotional response but a divinely ordained condition that reflects the spiritual state of the wicked. It is a foretaste of the ultimate judgment that awaits those who persist in their rebellion against God.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of unholy fear serves as a warning against complacency and a call to live in obedience to God's commandments. It highlights the importance of maintaining a clear conscience before God and seeking His forgiveness and grace. For the wicked, it is an invitation to repentance and a reminder of the peace and assurance that come from a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 26:16,17
I also will do this to you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 28:65-67
And among these nations shall you find no ease, neither shall the sole of your foot have rest: but the LORD shall give you there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 49:5
Behold, I will bring a fear on you, said the Lord GOD of hosts, from all those that be about you; and you shall be driven out every man right forth; and none shall gather up him that wanders.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... covenant and cause, most holy things to maintain unholy or common ... A righteous and
upright man, consenting with a wicked man in sin, or, through fear of him ...
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