The bad meaning of fear.

A. Fear is debilitating. The one talent man failed to multiply because "And I was afraid" (Matt. 25: 25).

B. Fear when not correctly channeled often produces the very thing that is feared (Matt. 25: 24-30).

C. Fear can cause people not to confess Christ and fail to do other acts that are to be characteristic of the Christian (cp. Jn. 12: 42, 43).

The good use of fear.

A. The wise man wrote of fear positively, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Prov. 1: 7).

B. The essential purpose of man is, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole of man" (Eccl. 12: 13).

C. The writer of Hebrews penned, "Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12: 28, 29).
In review, the Bible uses fear both positively and negatively. We must never be afraid to do what is right (Matt. 10: 28). Fear will be responsible for many being lost (Rev. 21: 8). Fear can be a powerful motivator, initially (Acts 10: 34, 35). In time, though, love will become the dominant means of actuating the Christian to submit to God's teaching (I Jn. 4: 17, 18, Gal. 5: 6).

"Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ëHere it is,í or ëThere it is,í because the kingdom of God is within you."

I. Tested Faith Brings About A Depth Of Character. (Rom. 5:3-5)
II. Tested Faith Enables Us To Comfort and Encourage Others. (2 Cor. 1:3-5)
III. Tested Faith Increases Dependence On God For Wisdom. (James 1:5; 3:17-18)
IV. Tested Faith Encourages Us To Lead A Productive and Effective Life. (2 Peter 1:5-9)
V. Tested Faith Helps Us Identify With Christ. (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 5:7-10)
VI. Tested Faith Allows Us To Focus On Our Future Hope In Christ. (Romans 8:18-24)