Bible verses about fear are the primary weapon we have with which to fight fear. The promise of scripture is that God will help us overcome and defeat fear. A sample verse is, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4 NIV) But, along with having these Bible verses, we also need to understand how fear works in us and then how to use these verses.
What Fear Does to Us
Daily we are seeing maps, charts and hearing tv anchors tell us the latest statistics on the current health crisis. Though flu deaths far outweigh what has been seen so far with this virus, it is a new and unknown entity and so there is much fear and panic. It is hard to predict what will happen next even for the most expert health officials.
Store shelves are emptying. Many schools, sporting events, and public gatherings are being cancelled. There seems to be wisdom in much of this as social separation prevents the passing of infection.
But the accompanying panic that some are feeling is a contagion that is, in itself, deadly. As the Bible says, “…fear involves torment.” (1 John 4:18)
A level of fear and worry is certainly understandable as businesses shut down, people with hourly wages are told to stay home and stocks drop. Even the strongest of believers may feel their spirits flag and worry start creeping into their thoughts.
A Bible Story About Fear
As a biblical illustration of how even a devout believer can start to waver, I appreciate a story about John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus. This is the story of how the fiery preacher, John, sent a message to Jesus while John was imprisoned by Herod as told in Matthew 11:2-6. John had been a fearsome man out in the wilderness, as he warned all the people who came to him that they needed to repent and be baptized.
But from the prison, he sent questions of faith with his followers. Here is what Matthew wrote:
“When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him [Jesus], “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Earlier in his ministry, he had declared boldly about Jesus, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Luke 1:29
But in prison, was John beginning to feel shaken, to fear, at least a little, and to question whether he really could put all his trust in Jesus as being the long awaited Messiah? I think I do sense a wavering.
John the Baptist could have been having a time of shaking and so can we. But it is not God’s intention that we remain in that fear even if we may feel it momentarily. How does God, in His great love for us, help us?
How the Bible Empowers Us to Defeat Fear
The simple Bible verse at the top of this article, “I sought the LORD and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:4) gives a very clear picture of what God can do and what God wants to do. He does not want us to walk in fear and anxiety. As we turn to Him (prayer, worship, thoughts, scripture), it is promised that we can be delivered from all fear, no matter what we face.
Here’s the thing. We are human. We do get afraid. It’s natural. But supernaturally, God can deliver us from that fear, embolden us, literally lift anxiety off of us. He does it through Bible verses about fear.
Scripture is a living and active “stream” of life. When we read the words talking about God’s power over disease, death, and enemies, we get something transmitted to us: HOPE, BRAVERY, BOLDNESS. We get a sense of being able to overcome and thrive despite what’s coming at us. And it is more than a feeling or sentiment. Our minds actually become refocused, empowered. We feel God’s love and caring permeate our thoughts. Our minds are renewed, our thoughts transformed.
The Fearless Heart of Pastor John G. Lake
There’s a man who embodied this, the mind renewed by scripture and faith in God. We are wise and thoughtful to follow safety guidelines about washing, covering our coughs, self-quarantine, etc. There is no need to recklessly tempt illness or risk vulnerable people around us but this man’s story will provoke your faith. I hope it will help you “stand” more firmly on the Bible verses against fear.
John G. Lake (1870-1935) was a Pentecostal faith healer and missionary. There is a story and his own written testimony of his involvement in Africa with people sick with the bubonic plague. He ministered to those people and buried the dead without getting sick.
He was fearless about this. His faith was based on Romans 8:1-2:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
What walking in the Spirit would do
He saw those words “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free” as saying that as he walked in and with the Spirit, he was full of the life of Christ, and that would repel disease.
Lake said, “Faith belongs to the law of life. Faith is the very opposite of fear. Faith has the opposite effect in spirit and soul, and body. Faith causes the spirit of man to become confident. It causes the mind of man to become restful and positive. A positive mind repels disease. Consequently, the emanation of the Spirit destroys germs.”
When doctors came to where Lake was, they urged him to take their “preventative medicines.” He, instead, asked them to watch him demonstrate the power of God in him by putting microbes from the sick on his hands and watching, through a microscope, those microbes die on his hands.
Follow in these fearless footsteps?
This is an incredible story, but I take it as inspiration. Not everyone is at the level of a John G. Lake, so when I tell this story currently, I also add, “Continue listening to the advice of the health professionals about how to keep yourself, others (particularly the most vulnerable), and your family safe in this current health crisis. But just consider this question if not at this level, “Could my faith grow more in this direction?” “Do I believe in the healing ministry of Christ or do I see it primarily as stories in a book?”
I know there are some who will read this who may be dealing with chronic illnesses. Please don’t see it as critique. My own husband has dealt with some health problems for many years. He has been healed in many ways, praise God, but still has some issues not totally healed. Nevertheless, we continue to exercise our faith for his healing and the healing of others. We don’t turn back from confident prayer! We especially pay attention to the Bible verses about fear.
I know some have lost loved ones though they have prayed. We just experienced the death from cancer of a dear friend this week who had many strong prayers for her said by many people. Nevertheless, we don’t base our theology on our experiences. We base what we believe and aim for on the Word of God.
Get Mad at What is Attacking Your Life
This is what I tell people when I teach about healing. If you are a believer you have been born into a family with a certain way of doing things. Our Lord commanded the violent storms and the churning seas to be still. He ordered spirits out of people. He commanded healing.
If something is hurting you or your family or your nation, it’s no time to be meek or to accept the status quo. Command that thing to leave in the name of Jesus! Pray fierce prayers against that enemy and pray for blessing and healing in Jesus’ name.
What is the will of the Father? To reconcile people, heal, save, and deliver. That never changes.
“The reason the Son of God came was to destroy the devil’s work!” (1 John 3:8)
Telling our fear to “back off”
Some will say at times, “I think God is teaching me something through this (an illness).” The logical question that can follow this is, “If that is so, why do you go to the doctor?” (if they are going to the doctor). Would that not be going against God’s will if disease is designed to teach us? It is good to have the help of doctors and to pray for the Divine Hand in every challenge to our well-being.
“I am the LORD, who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26)
Be right with God in your relationship with Him, of course, then pray those enemies out of your life, whatever they are, most especially fear and anxiety.
Get up and do and take the steps you can to keep your life moving forward even in this present season of a viral scare.
Bible Verses About Fear
There are many Bible verses about fear and anxiety, verses through which God ministers to our hearts and our souls. He loves us and would take the weight off of us as we give it over to Him.
Here are 10 verses. Read them. Pray them. Meditate on them. Your heart will grow lighter. We do this often in my house!
1.”Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for I am the Lord, your God, and I am with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
2. “Yes, you will see a thousand fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.” (Psalm 91:7)
But Jesus gives life…
3. “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy; but I have come to give life abundant.” (John 10:10)
4. “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. (Isaiah 54:14)
5. “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.” (Proverbs 3:25-26)
God is for you…
6. “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear, nor be in dread.” (Isaiah 8:12)
7. “When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know because God is for me.” (Psalm 56:9)
8. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Be anxious for nothing…
9. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
10. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts our fear: because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
The Peace of Christ be with you.
Before you go:
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Further Resources:
Psalm 34:4 God Delivered Me From All My Fears
How You Can Have Total Breakthrough from Fear of Man
