Scriptures on Freedom from Fear and Anxiety
Scripture presents freedom from fear and anxiety as a significant aspect of the Christian life, often linked to a proper relationship with God. This freedom is portrayed as a gift conferred by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and experienced through the Gospel [3].
The Bible distinguishes between a debilitating fear of earthly circumstances or judgment and a reverential "fear of the Lord." The latter is described as a "fountain of life" that leads to contentment and protection from trouble [4, 5]. It is characterized as wisdom, a hatred of evil, and a treasure for believers [7]. In contrast, the absence of the "fear of God" is associated with unrighteousness [1].
Several passages address the nature of fear and anxiety. Job 15:24 describes how "distress and anguish make him afraid," prevailing "as a king ready to the battle" [2]. However, believers are encouraged to be "without fear," desiring to be with the Lord [6]. The apostle Paul exhorts believers to "be anxious about nothing," suggesting that prayer and supplication, accompanied by thanksgiving, are the antidotes to anxiety [11]. This perspective aligns with the idea that a "peaceful heart has resolved its inner tensions," contributing to well-being [12].
The New Testament further clarifies that perfect love "expels all fear," particularly the dread of judgment that arises from a consciousness of guilt [9]. Christ's death is understood to set believers free from this dread [9]. Furthermore, by "worshipping Christ as Lord," individuals can be freed from the fear of human persecutors [10]. The resurrection of Jesus serves as God's assurance that His revelation is true, providing a "full assurance of faith" that leaves no room for doubt [8].
Sources
- Romans “Romans 3:18 (LITV) — there is no fear of God before their eyes." LXX-Psa. 5:10; 139:4; 9:28; Isa. 59:7, 8; Psa. 35:2; MT-Psa. 14:1 -3; 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Isa. 59:7, 8; Psa. 36:1”
- Job “Distress and anguish make him afraid. They prevail against him, as a king ready to the battle. -- Job 15:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Liberty, Christian — Foretold -- Isa 42:7; 61:1. Conferred By God. -- Col 1:13. By Christ. -- Ga 4:3-5; 5:1. By the Holy Spirit. -- Ro 8:15; 2Co 3:17. Through the gospel. -- Joh 8:32. Confirmed by Christ -- Joh 8:36. Proclaimed by Christ -- Isa 61:1; Lu 4:18. The service of Christ is -- 1Co 7:22. Is freedom from The law. -- Ro 7:6; 8:2. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The fear of death. -- Heb 2:15. Sin. -- Ro 6:7,18. Corruption. -- Ro 8:21. Bondage of man. -- 1Co 9:19. Jewish ordinances. -- Ga 4:3; Col 2:20. Called the glorious liberty of the children of God -- Ro”
- Proverbs “The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble. -- Proverbs 19:23”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 14:27 (KJV) — The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 5:8 (BBE) — We are without fear, desiring to be free from the body, and to be with the Lord.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Assurance — The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance ”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:18: 4:18 perfect love expels all fear: As we live with Christ and grow more mature and complete in God’s love, we have confidence in facing the day of judgment, which will be terrifying for those who don’t know God (Acts 24:25; Rom 2:16). • Based on consciousness of guilt, fear anticipates a deserved punishment, producing dread that is itself a foretaste of that punishment. Christ died to set us free from this dread (Heb 2:14-15).”
- 1 Peter (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Peter 3:14: 3:14-15 or be afraid of their threats: See Isa 8:13, where God exhorts the prophet to fear nothing except the Lord. • worship Christ as Lord: By fearing Christ, they will be free from fear of their human persecutors.”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:6: Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL]. by prayer and supplication--Greek, "by the prayer and the supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. Prayer for blessings; and the general term. Supplication, to avert ills; a special term, suppliant entreaty (see on Eph 6:18). thanksgiving--for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (Th1 5:18; Jam 5:13). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when in the innermost prison (Act 16:25). Thanksgiving gives effec”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 14:30: 14:30 A peaceful heart has resolved its inner tensions. Freedom from jealousy is beneficial to physical health.”