Men who fear God face life fearlessly, while those who do not fear God end up fearing everything. If we truly fear God, knowing that He is sovereign and promises to provide for us, we have nothing else to fear. The fear of God, which means giving Him the respect and regard due in every facet of our lives, becomes the dominant influence over our actions. This fear leads us to hate evil, depart from sin, and strive to replace it with what is godly. As Moses told the Israelites, who were terror-stricken by God's presence, the fear of Him should be before us so that we may not sin. If we maintain this proper fear of God, continually keeping His reality at the forefront of our minds, we find it easier to resist sin and become eligible to inherit all things. Conversely, the fear of man brings a snare, leading to destruction through deception. Fearing what others may do or think, or how they may react to our obedience to God, is based on false reasoning. The worst that men can do to us cannot compare to what God can do. Those who fear other things more than God are cast into the Lake of Fire, as their fear limits their usefulness to Him and often causes them to embrace sin. Without the proper fear of God, a person will not hate evil but will embrace it, and no one who holds affection for sin will be given eternal life. God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Fear is contrasted with faith, power, love, and sound-mindedness. If a person allows fear to lead him, other than a proper fear of God, these qualities will decrease, undermining spiritual maturity and inhibiting the action of God's Spirit within him. However, if a faithful person fears God and uses the gifts given through His Holy Spirit, fear on the other side will diminish. This boldness and fearlessness are products of God's Spirit, not virtues we muster within ourselves. Our confidence should be in God, knowing that He always gives us what is necessary to carry out His purpose, though we must still stir up and use these gifts. Sadly, our fears and lack of faith often limit the use of these gifts within us.

Fear is paralyzing, a mind-killer that drives us toward cowardly carnal instincts such as freezing in terror, burying our heads in the sand, or turning tail and running away. These responses are the easy choices, stripping us of responsibility and requiring no hard work or willpower to overcome the paralysis of fear. In Matthew 25:24-30, the servant who received one talent froze in fear, hiding what was given to him, and the master condemned him as wicked and slothful, casting him into outer darkness for failing to act. Similarly, in I Kings 19:1-18, Elijah fled in fear from Jezebel, succumbing to despair, and the Lord responded by retiring him, commanding him to anoint Elisha as his replacement, showing disdain for such cowardice. In Matthew 14:24-31, Peter initially stepped out in faith to walk on water toward Jesus, but fear overtook him when he saw the wind, causing him to sink; Jesus rebuked him for his little faith and doubt. Fear, when it leads to inaction or flight, reflects a lack of trust in the Lord's power. Conversely, in Exodus 14:10-15, as the Israelites feared the approaching Egyptians, Moses urged them to stand firm and not fear, for the Lord would fight for them, yet the Lord Himself commanded action, telling them to go forward. Action in the face of fear is difficult but necessary, the only response to terror that the Lord respects. The Lord offers encouragement amidst this struggle. In Hebrews 13:5-6, He assures us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," so we can confidently declare, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" With the Creator God as our protector, there is nothing on this earth to fear that He cannot shield us from.