Fear of God

by Annie Yorty

At Easter, we celebrate the extreme, but necessary, measures Jesus took to remove the penalty of sin from us. The blood He shed on the cross paid the penalty for every sin we commit. Yet we often hesitate to come to Father God after we’ve done wrong because we’re afraid of His response. When we have a fear of God, we demonstrate a fundamental misunderstanding of His nature.

“Wait a minute,” you may say. “I thought the Bible tells us to fear God.”

You’re right. We are to fear—respect and revere—God. But today we’re talking about a different definition of fear—an unpleasant and often intense emotional response to perceived danger.

Fear of God Entered the World

The first sin struck fear of God in the hearts of Adam and Eve. When the couple disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, they felt shame (Genesis 3:7). Shame and fear drove them to hide from Him. Of course, no one escapes the notice of God, who sees everything. He called to them, and Adam answered.

He [Adam] replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.” (Genesis 3:10 NLT)

The shame Adam and Eve felt led them to cower and run from God.

What Happened Next?

Then God heaped condemnation on the first couple and hammered them with punishment.

Actually, no.

But many believe this myth about God and respond to Him according to this lie.

In fact, condemnation of His beloved people was the farthest thing from God’s mind. Instead, He made the first mention of the Messiah who would rescue mankind from the sin that would infect every generation to come (Genesis 3:15).

“Wait another minute,” you may be saying. “Didn’t God punish Adam and Eve?”

Along with a future rescue plan, God also outlined the consequences of Adam and Eve’s sin. Note, I said consequences, not punishment. Consequences, both positive and negative, are the natural outcome of certain actions. They train us to make wise choices in the future.

Punishment is retribution for wrongdoing. In fact, God showed undeserved mercy to Adam and Eve when He removed the pair from the Garden of Eden. His action saved them from living eternally controlled by sin, shame, and fear.

What to Expect from God

Psalm 103 tells us God is a Father to His children—all who honor Jesus as Lord and bow to His authority (13). Our Father knows, just as He knew with Adam and Eve, that we are weak creatures who require His help.

The rest of King David’s psalm (8-14) tells us what we should and should not expect from God after we sin.

You will receive:

• Compassion
• Mercy
• Unfailing love higher than the heavens
• Forgiveness and removal of sins
• Tenderness

You will NOT receive:

• Angry outbursts
• Accusations
• Punishment (though we deserve it)
• Grudges

As we meditate on these promises, any fear of God we harbor should melt away like snow under the sun’s rays.

The Promise of Easter Removes Fear of God

If Jesus “sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36 NLT). He died on the cross and rose from death to set us free from sin. Free from fear. And free from the shame that produces fear of God’s punishment.

When we truly understand the nature of God and the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, shame and fear cannot drive us to hide in darkness.

When we sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us. His conviction, or the awareness we’ve done wrong, should bring us repentance, but never shame. The conviction of the Spirit leads us to the arms of our Father to receive the compassion, help, and forgiveness promised in Psalm 103.

If you feel inclined to run from God and hide in shame because of your sin, you misunderstand the truth about His thoughts and feelings for you. Remember, we can always “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16 NLT).

Please note that the promise of Easter is available to everyone, but only becomes reality for us when we confess Jesus as our Lord and receive His salvation. If you have not been saved from your sin by faith in Jesus, please read Steps to Peace with God to learn how to be adopted into God’s forever family.

In the week leading up to our celebration of Resurrection Day, let’s rejoice in Jesus, who transforms our fear of God into confidence to fearlessly confess our sins to our kind and loving Father.

Happy Easter!

Join the conversation:

How do you exercise the freedom Jesus has purchased with His blood for you?

I welcome your comments!