Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
What is meant by "fearful"? People who are afraid of anything? I have all kinds of anxieties and phobias, some of them a by-product of PTSD, some of them not (like my fear of spiders, which seems very rational to me given that there are all the black widows anyone could wish for in So Cal). I jump at sudden noises and movements. People tell me I am high-strung and I agree. All my fears are based on past experiences. Is this going to send me to hell, and if so, why? I am not being facetious, though I'm pretty sure somebody will say I am (again, based on past experience).
Hope this helps you a bit YYZ.Here are two more verses in the NT where the word is also used.
Mat 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
I see this as being those that fear because they have no faith.It seems to be more like a fear based on unbelief.The word seems to be related to a dreading kind of fear and when its used in the NT both times Jesus follows it by referring to unbelief.
Strongs definition
G1169
δειλός
deilos
di-los'
From δέος deos (dread); timid, that is, (by implication) faithless: - fearful.
LXX related word(s)
H2730 chared
H3372 yare
H7390 rakh
(03-29-2010 11:57 AM)Rose of Shushan Wrote: [ -> ]Hope this helps you a bit YYZ.Here are two more verses in the NT where the word is also used.
Mat 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
I see this as being those that fear because they have no faith.It seems to be more like a fear based on unbelief.The word seems to be related to a dreading kind of fear and when its used in the NT both times Jesus follows it by referring to unbelief.
Strongs definition
G1169
δειλός
deilos
di-los'
From δέος deos (dread); timid, that is, (by implication) faithless: - fearful.
LXX related word(s)
H2730 chared
H3372 yare
H7390 rakh
In the context of those verses it's more obvious that the reference is to fear caused by unbelief as opposed to fear of material things (like spiders).
Most religions teach that there will be consequences for living a life that is not "good" or that does not follow the strict guidelines that have been set out. Christianity is not exclusive in that regard. Certainly, the prospect of Hell and "eternal damnation" are extreme forms of "punishment", which no doubt strike fear into the hearts of Christians.
One could argue, however, that everyone fears something, and I believe that to be true. Whether our fears are placed upon us by our religious choices, or if they are simply things that we dread for ourselves and our loved ones, or even if they are the manipulations of the media, not many people live their lives without fear.
(04-02-2010 02:58 PM)Vic Wrote: [ -> ]I am going to take I slightly different approach to this. Over the years I have come realise that absolute dependence on Christ removes all fear. That doesn't mean we won't be tempted to be afraid. But it's knowing that despite circumstances, no matter how our flesh desires to respond in fear, it's going to Him and trusting Him to carry us through no matter what.
Here's a few verses that make the point.
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Matthew 10:26-31 Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. 27. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Romans 8:12-15 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15. 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.
A couple of examples of living in spite of circumstances and what had to be terrifying in the flesh--for those who had no faith.
Daniel 3:15-18 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? 16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. 17. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Daniel 3:20-26 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21. Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 22. Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24. Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25. He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 26. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
Dan 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
Dan 6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
Daniel 6:20-23 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21. Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
I think as we grow in Christ we are to learn to cast all these things that can trouble us or cause us to fear, upon Him. The battle is His, on every aspect of our lives. Having His peace is the opposite of being held captive by fear. When we are free in Christ, we are free indeed.
2Th 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
1 Peter 5:6-9 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9. Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
2 Corinthians 10:2-6 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6. And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
1Co 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Colossians 3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
wonderful wonderful verses!
YYZ Im glad the above explanation helped you.
I too am a naturally anxious person and particularly fear things happening to my loved ones and can tend to brood on the worst scenarios.Over the years I am coming to trust and rely on God and learn not to fear.
If we do a search on the word fear in the Bible we see that the word is mentioned many many times.And many many times we are told to fear not both in the Tanak and the New Testament. God well knows how well man is prone to worry and fear.
When I start getting too anxious it is actually very helpful to me to dementalise myself of that fear since fearing is actually reflecting a lack of trust.
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
I also call to mind the following
Mar 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mar 4:36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
Mar 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mar 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
We see in verses 40 and 41 that in English the word fear is used two times, yet in the greek the one is verse 40 is G1169 deilos(fear related to unbelief) and in the following verse is a different type of fear.Such as the fear used when we fear God.
In the first verse is fear associated with a lack of trust and the second is fear due to alarm ,reverence or awe,derived from phobeo G5399.
In the Bible we are told to fear God and yet also told not to fear.Its two different kinds of fears.
It helps me a lot to curb my anxieties by being aware that Jesus tells us not to fear so many times.