2. Are You Afraid of God?
Should You Be?
1 John 4:18

3. 1 John 4:18 LB
We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us.

4. 1 John 4:18 Message
There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love.

5. Are we supposed
to fear God
or not?

6. How is the fear of God the beginning of wisdom?

8. Fear Gone Wrong
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!” (James 2:19).
The unprofitable servant was corrected for being wicked and lazy after he made the excuse, “I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground” instead of using it productively (Matthew 25:25).
Revelation 21:8 even tells us the “cowardly” or “fearful” will not be in God’s kingdom.

9. Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
keeps you from doing wrong (Exodus 20:20).
is for your good and your survival (Deuteronomy 6:24).
enables you to consider and declare what God has done for you (Psalm 64:9).
is rewarded with mercy (Luke 1:50).
gives you courage (2 Corinthians 5:6-11).
perfects you in holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1).
allows you to yield to others (Ephesians 5:21).
will be rewarded (Revelation 11:18).

10. What is the fear of God?
Yare: (Hebrew): “to fear, to respect, to reverence”
Yirah (Hebrew): “usually refers to the fear of God and is viewed as a positive quality. This fear acknowledges God’s good intentions (Ex. 20:20).
Phobos (Greek): “reverential fear” of God, “not a mere ‘fear’ of His power and righteous retribution, but a wholesome dread of displeasing Him”
A healthy fear of God includes the fear of the consequences of disobedience.

11. God’s judgment
Is often (maybe always?) the natural consequences of our disobedience. God is trying to protect us from those painful consequences.
God’s judgment is NEVER God being mean to us.

12. Are we ever afraid to give God control?

13. about your experiencing what is best for you
Who loves you more
—you or God?
Who cares more
about your experiencing
what is best for you
Who knows better
what choices will lead
to the best for you
If I really believe this
in my gut,
rather than being afraid of surrendering to God,
I’m afraid not to, because I know that left to myself,
I will screw up my life.

14. Are you eager for God’s correction? (My answer reveals
how fully I trust God.)

15. “Fearing God” by William D. Eisenhower
“God poses an ominous threat to my ego, but not to me. He rescues me from my delusions, so he may reveal the truth that sets me free.”
Published in Christianity Today

16. 1 John 4:18 LB
We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us.

17. Table Sharing
Is it safe to give God control of your whole life? Why or why not?
Which are you more afraid of…
Giving God control over every area of your life?
Trying to run parts of your own life your way rather than God’s way?