Actually, the exact phrase, “fear not,” is found 62 times in the KJB. However, this does not account for derivatives such as – “Be not afraid”, “Be of good courage”, “Be strong”. So, to be exact it is not the actual words “fear not” that occur 365 times in the Bible but the exhortation not to be fearful because our Lord God is always watching over us, and able to protect, help and deliver us that occurs so many times.

Live by Faith Not by Fear

Certainly God has several reasons to repeatedly issue those commands or exhortations. For one reason, fear must be dealt with if we are to live by faith. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). Also, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15). As adopted children of God, we need to live our life by faith. We need to fight fear by obeying God’s call to trust in Him and to “fear not.” Our lives should be controlled by faith and not by fear. In other words, we fight fear with faith by trusting in God that He is able to help us, depending upon Him for sufficient grace and His abounding mercy.

If by faith we simply trust in the Lord to help us, we can therefore proclaim with the psalmist, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). It does not mean that our lives will be rid of all fears. Rather it is that though we remain caught up in a hostile and threatening environment, we can learn to do this: “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).

Fear God Alone

Instead of fearing circumstances, men, or the evil one, God wants us to fear Him. This is the fear that we ought to have as taught in the Bible: “Fear God.” Peter tells us in 1 Peter 2:17 to “honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” Also in Deuteronomy 10:12, it is commanded, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” So the legitimate, acceptable and god-honouring fear is to fear God!

There are ungodly fears. Such fears are not what God wants us to have. Again 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear.” The spirit of fear is from Satan so that we will have fear of difficulty or danger, by which one is deterred from activity and faithfulness in working for the Lord. Thus, the Lord wants us to resist fear as it is satanic in origin. The devil wants to put fear in us so that we will not dare or have the courage to do things for God, to face trials, to face persecutions. Are you facing some trials or persecutions? Do you fear them, or do you fear God?

In Revelation 2:10, the angel of the church in Smyrna writes: “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Beware, for very often the devil instils fear in God’s children so that they will fail to do their duties. Because of fear they fail to glorify God.

Overcoming Fear

The army of Israel, including their leader, King Saul, allowed their fear of the diabolical Goliath to immobilise them, until David came. Was David afraid? Perhaps he was. But David put his trust in God. With faith in God, David walked towards the giant and swung his sling shot with a round stone which hit Goliath’s head right at the centre.

David was able to overcome his fear because of his confidence in the Lord as expressed in a psalm written by him in Psalm 27:1-3 – “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.” Can we say such words from our heart in times of fear?

David also wrote in Psalm 34:4 – “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Was David fearful? Certainly! But he overcame his fears by trusting in God, seeking Him and calling upon the Lord.

Are you so fearful of failure? Look unto God for confidence and strength to conquer your fears and go on and get things done for the Lord. And then give Him the glory by praising Him. Psalm 50:15 says, “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” We are not able to overcome fear with our own strength. We can only overcome fear through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in every child of God. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit,” saith the Lord” (Zechariah 4:6). The Lord God who transforms us is able to help us overcome our fears. He who has called us is faithful, and He will do it. He is able to carry you through!

An Indian fable tells of a mouse which was in constant distress because of its fear of the cat. A magician took pity on it and turned it into a cat. Immediately it became afraid of the dog. So the magician turned it into a dog. Immediately it began to fear the tiger. So the magician turned it into a tiger. Immediately it began to fear the hunter. Then the magician said, “Be a mouse again. You have only the heart of a mouse and I cannot help you.”

My friend, if you are truly born again, a child of God, and you call Him, “Abba Father,” then know that He can help you overcome your fears, “for God hath not given us the spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7) and “ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

Peace of God

Our Lord Himself assures His disciples to be at peace and not to be afraid for the Holy Spirit will be with them to help them always in their difficult encounters. All born again believers have the Spirit of God dwelling in them that they may know how to deal with ungodly fears. The Lord Jesus says in John 14:26-27, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus knows we are so easily troubled and afraid. But with God’s help, we need not let fear overwhelm us.

So whenever we are faced with a fearful situation, let us overcome it with prayer by asking the Lord to help us resist it by the power of His Spirit. Trust in God’s promises of deliverance. Follow what the psalmist did in Psalm 34:4, “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” This is a wonderful verse. Commit it to memory and remember to call upon the Lord when we are being attacked by fear.

Take the Step of Faith

Dear brethren, is there some fear that is hindering you from stepping forward to commit your life to serve the Lord? There is no need to be afraid. Take that step of faith, just like the Israelites when they crossed the river Jordan (Joshua 3:13-17).

Learn again from David who had all the reasons to be afraid because King Saul wanted to destroy him. But David could say, “the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). Yes, the Lord will help you and neither will He leave you like David who testified in Psalm 27:9 – “Thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me.” He also said in Psalm 27:14 – “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

The next time when fear comes against you, remember that you have the power to resist it because you fear the Lord and His Word. Fight against all fears with the presence of God within you. For God has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” So we may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6)!