--Two Kinds Of Fear //

--"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
---[Proverbs 29:25] --

--Godly fear and guilty fear stand in stark contrast throughout the Scriptures. Guilty fear entered the world because of sin. Adam's first response after sinning was to withdraw from God and hide because he was afraid. Guilty fear results in shifting blame or calling attention to another's wrong to divert the focus from our own wrong. It hardens the conscience with pride and delusion, and it lies to hide the truth.

Hypocrites live with the constant fear of exposure, which God can bring in surprising ways. Guilty fear will prompt desperate flight even when no on is pursuing. And there is the constant fearful looking for of judgment of fiery indignation, when many will call for rocks and mountains to fall on them and hide them from the face of God (see Hebrews 10:27, Revelation 6:16).

With godly fear we will draw near to God in contrition and submission, humbly confessing our need of God's saving work through Christ Jesus to deal with our sin. With godly fear we can come into the presence of God without guilty fear. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we can experience a meaningful relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship with the people of God. In godly fear we are open to be taught the things God chooses--difficult lessons that may include suffering or chastisement, but that carry a real sense of His love and care.

The fear of God promises the light of His mercy and personal acceptance with Him. A walk in the sense of God's presence today will lead to a growing awareness of His guidance in the future. Then when the Lord returns, we can have confidence instead of guilty fear. ~

-"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou has laid up for them that fear thee." --[Psalm 31:19]

--BSW/DS~
--"I Speak Jesus"// Darlene Zschech//<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jopkJhN7Ufk>
~~~