Natural and Sinful Fear

Scripture doesn't require Christians to be fearless but to distinguish between different types of fear. Not all fear is sinful. Jesus, for example, was alarmed in Gethsemane as He anticipated the cross. Other types of fear, however, are an expression of wisdom. A good example is the fear of doing wrong. How can we distinguish between natural fear and sinful fear? We could ask ourselves some questions such as: Has this fear stopped me from doing what I know to be right? Has this fear caused me to disobey God? Has this fear caused me to become selfish? Is this fear based on unbiblical thinking? Does this fear have unbelief at it's root? Another question you could as is whether you are sufficiently afraid of sinning in this fearful situation. In the next sermon, this consideration of the two types of fear will continue.