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The Use of Fear Elder Truman Keel

The word fear is used in at least two different ways in the Bible.
One way is to describe fright, apprehension, anticipation of
something unpleasant, afraid. Another is reverential fear, rever-

ence, in greatest esteem and respect. Solomon used the word
fear in this latter definition in (Eccl. 12-13) “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole
matter: fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

I am persuaded, that men under the guise of preaching the gospel, have used fear as a
tool to persuade God’s little children to submit to the preacher’s desires including
baptism. How much peace are you going to enjoy having submitted under these con-
ditions? We find in (Luke 3:7) this method was not acceptable with John the Baptist.

“Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of
vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” These were convinced
there is a wrath to come, which they had a great fear of and was persuaded they could
escape this wrath by being baptized by John. They were not manifesting any love or

reverence for God, but fear of wrath. John referred to them as vipers and in (V8)
informed them to “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.” He desired to
see some evidence that they were seeking God and not a fear of wrath. Even the most
brute beast will fear wrath of another and most certainly the wrath of an angry God.

(I John 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.” Those who are attempting
to change one’s eternal destination are using fear as an instrument however, when

God brings one of His little children home He uses love; perfect love casteth out fear.
We serve and follow Him in love. He brings His children to Him in the same manner
as He did with Jeremiah the weeping prophet. (Jer. 31:3) “The Lord hath appeared of

old unto me, saying, yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: Therefore with
loving kindness have I drawn thee.” It appears that man tries to drive the Lord’s chil-
dren with fear but the Lord chooses to draw them with loving-kindness. Back to (I
John 4:18) Fear hath torment but God’s perfect love casteth out fear. I am persuaded
many of God’s children still live in fear because they have not yet been made perfect

(complete) in love. I believe the gospel can when preached with power and demon-
stration of the spirit, set God’s little children free from this bondage of fear.

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