We don’t discipline our children for being afraid. When we flip back through the pages of scripture, we don’t see fear showing up as one of the Seven Deadly Sins. So is living afraid even bad? Is fear a sin?

“Do not fear” is one of God’s most frequently repeated instructions in the bible. Have you ever considered why?  

When fear takes the lead in our lives, it often causes us to disobey God’s Word.

If fear leads to disobedience, is fear a sin?

Jonah’s story is a testament to what fear will lead us to do. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and tell the city that God is bringing His judgment on their wickedness. Jonah’s fear took control and he ran from God’s request. Jonah’s paralyzing fear led him away from his purpose, God’s calling on his life.

Our choices have significant consequences. The emotionally uncomfortable, conflicting feelings of fear can keep us from the high calling God has placed upon our lives. We might struggle with the fear of commitment, the risk of being hurt, and so we hold back emotionally and stay away from relationships. We might be afraid of the expectations of others so we refrain from speaking the truth.  

Fear disrupts faith and becomes our biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God.

Moses let fear make a few decisions in his life. Being a slave to fear can keep us from an opportunity to discover that God can be trusted.

When we feel called by God to act, our fears can hold us back. Fear can keep us from acknowledging reality, from speaking the truth, from being authentic with others, from admitting struggles, sharing our pain, and standing up for what is right. When we focus on our fear, we end up elevating our feelings above God’s ability and ultimately, we forget all about God’s faithfulness.

Fear might be the number one reason we are tempted to run from what God has called us to do.

If fear leads to disobedience, is fear a sin? Trust and fear are constantly battling for our decisions.

If you live in fear, you will never experience the potential that God has placed in you.

When you choose fear, you lose the opportunity to discover that God can be trusted. Any kind of growth inside you is going to involve risk, and risk always involves fear. You will have to face your fear, act even when you are afraid if you intend to do what God has created you to do.

We will all have moments when we must choose between trust and fear. Where is Jesus asking you to step out, step up, step into the face of fear? What is holding you back? There are good fears that keep us from reckless choices, but your ‘no’ because of fear shouldn’t keep you from saying ‘yes’ to faith.

Use your fear and fight back in faith. Click here for a tool I created to help your faith grow the next time a fear presents itself.