Fear is a word we know all too well. But in the realm of the spirit, it’s far more than a feeling — it’s a spiritual force that, if left unchecked, can cripple, paralyse, and limit God’s work in our lives. In this continuation of the “How Men Limit God” series, Rev. Ope broke down the subject of fear — exposing its roots, expressions, and the weighty consequences it can carry for believers.
The Two Faces of Fear
The Bible presents fear in two major forms. There’s the unhealthy, paralyzing kind — phobos in Greek — which grows in degrees and can start as a whisper but mature into a full-blown controlling force. This fear is often rooted in sin, as seen in Genesis 3:10 when Adam, aware of his disobedience, said, “I was afraid.” But there’s also the fear of the Lord — a reverential awe that leads to obedience, caution, and wisdom. Hebrews 5:7 shows us that even Jesus operated with holy fear, knowing the Father to be both loving and dreadful.
Why God Takes Fear Seriously
Fear, when it’s not the godly kind, is a sin. Revelation 21:7–8 doesn’t group the fearful with the timid — it places them alongside liars, idolaters, and murderers. That alone should signal how seriously God takes the matter. It’s not just a personality trait or a weakness; it’s a direct indicator of unbelief. When fear dominates a person’s life, it replaces faith and prevents obedience. It also makes room for laziness, inaction, and excuses, holding us back from what God has commanded or promised.
What Do You Fear?
Many of us fear man. Proverbs 29:25 tells us this is common — bosses, competitors, rejection, failure, even the fear of success or attention. Others fear themselves. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that our hearts can deceive us; without God, we are capable of unspeakable things. Some of us shrink back because we see glimpses of our potential for failure or compromise.
There’s also the fear that comes through intimidation — one of the enemy’s favourite tactics. During prayer, distractions arise to knock us off course. In those moments, we must sustain our spiritual posture and not let fear abort our breakthrough.
Confidence in the Right Place
Rev. Ope reminded us that confidence is not arrogance; it’s assurance rooted in relationship. The three Hebrew boys were confident in their God — and He showed up. The sons of Sceva, however, were confident without relationship — and it ended disastrously. Confidence must be based on who we know, not what we know.
We carry ourselves defeated, and it shows — in our prayers, our posture at work, and how we respond to opportunities. God has not called us to shrink. He has called us to be bold, assured, and unapologetically obedient.
Final Charge
Remember Gideon? When God sent him to deliver Israel in Judges 6:14–15, his reply was filled with self-doubt: “My clan is the weakest, and I’m the least.” But God saw strength. And He sees yours, too.
If God has asked you to go forward — whether in ministry, career, marriage, or purpose — no man, no boss, no competitor should shake your confidence. Fear may knock, but faith must answer.
