Does Fear Belong in the Christian’s Life?

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By John Piper

It is often said that fear of God has no place in the Christian’s life for “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and he who fears (for himself) is not perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).

But there are many commandments to fear in the New Testament; for example, Romans 11:20, “They [the Jews] were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast only through faith. So do not become proud but fear.” Similarly, Hebrews 3:12 warns against unbelief (although the word “fear” is not used): “Take heed, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from the living God.” (Other texts admonishing fear: 1 Peter 1:17; 1 Peter 2:17; Philippians 2:13; Luke 12:5; Isaiah 66:2; Acts 9:31; 2 Corinthians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 7:1; etc.)

But we shouldn’t get the idea that the writers of the New Testament are taking sides here, some in favor of fear (Paul, Hebrews) and some against (John). For even though Romans 11:20 admonishes fear, Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.”

And even though Hebrews 3:12 admonishes fear of an unbelieving heart (which is the same as saying the fear of God who requites unbelief with punishment), Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

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