Fear itself is not a sinful thing. It is an uneasiness of mind from a sense of danger, attended with a desire to avoid it (John 9:22). It is a natural thing which is essential for man’s preservation, implanted in him by the Giver of all good gifts.

There are many different kinds of fear. There is fear and respect due to parents (Lev. 19:3; Heb. 12:9). In marriage there is fear and respect which a wife owes to her husband (Eph. 5:33; I Pet. 3:5-6). We owe our employer a certain amount of fear and respect (Eph. 6:5; Mal. 1:6), and people of authority in government (Prov. 24:21; Rom. 13:7). According to holy Scripture, there is fear and respect due ministers of the gospel (I Sam. 12:18; Mark 6:20). But the fear of God is more important than any fear due to man (Matt. 10:28; Rev. 21:8).

Generally, in Scripture there is clearly distinguished two different kinds of fear. There is “godly fear” (Heb. 12:28), which is the effect of faith. It is not that of a slave, but of a son. Then there is servile fear, which is the product of doubt. The former leads to hope, as relying on God, in whom we believe. The latter leads to despair, as not relying on God, in whom they do not believe. The true believer fears to lose God and the unbeliever fears to find God.