There is a fascinating verse in 1 John which states, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
What, exactly, does this mean?
We know that there is a fear of God that is healthy, a reverential, honoring fear. It is a fear that recognizes who He is, eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, perfectly holy, all light without any darkness. That kind of fear is an antidote to sin and folly.
If we really know Him and love Him and honor Him, we won’t play games with the filth of the world. And we won’t play games with our own souls.
That’s why Proverbs says that, “To fear the Lord is to hate evil” (8:13).
That’s why Proverbs and other Old Testament books say that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (e.g., Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Job 28:28).
And that’s why Proverbs tells us that, “The fear of the LORD adds length to life” and that “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (10:27; 14:27).
This reverential fear is spoken of in the New Testament as well, with Paul writing,
“Therefore, since we have these promises [of God being our Father and living among us], dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
But there is another fear that is unhealthy. It is paralyzing. It is debilitating. It is tormenting....