Introduction
No true follower of Jesus Christ desires to sin willfully. Yet, sin committed in ignorance is still sin in the eyes of God. Job provides a profound example of this reality. In Job 1:5, we read that he
“…offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, ‘It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.”
This took place before the giving of the Law through Moses, emphasizing that Job, who lived during the patriarchal era, had a remarkable awareness of sin and its consequences. The Book of Job is widely considered the oldest book in the Bible, offering a unique glimpse into early humanity’s understanding of righteousness and divine reverence.
Job loved both God and his children deeply. He recognized that, while he could offer sacrifices on his children’s behalf, those offerings could not ultimately cleanse, save, or guarantee their right standing before God. True salvation requires meeting God’s terms—something only the individual can do in response to God’s grace.
As a devoted father, Job did what was within his power: he interceded for his children, dedicated them to God, and feared sin on their behalf. This reveals a healthy, holy fear—a fear not only of God, but of the ruin that sin brings.
Definitions
Hamartiophobia – fear of of sin. In my case it is fear of sinning, missing the mark and stepping outside of Gods wishes for my life.
As with the definition below both these phobias can cause one to avoid all conflict and commitment for fear of doing something wrong. If this happens we become completely useless in the eyes of man and God.
Anomiaphobia – fear of unrighteousness or lawlessness. For my definition it is a fear of not being always right with God and breaking His law while trying to maintain the laws of man.
Sin – We all know what sin is but I mention it here because when we understand what God has asked us to do and we do not do it, sin may become reality. Our relationship with God may be such that what may be sin for us is not sin for an unbeliever whereby the unbeliever may say, “What’s so wrong with doing that?”
Fear
Fear is defined as an unpleasant emotion that arises in response to perceived dangers or threats. This fear may be good or evil as demonstrated below.
In a very real sense, both Christians and non-Christians experience a form of Hamartiophobia—a fear of sin. For the believer, this fear is not rooted in dread, but in deep reverence for God and a love for His holiness. It becomes what might be called Anomiaphobia—a fear of lawlessness or unrighteousness. This holy fear is not weakness, but wisdom. It binds the fear of the Lord to the fear of sin, compelling the Christian to walk humbly, vigilantly, and in constant reliance on God’s mercy and grace.
For the non-Christian, this fear is different. It begins as an internal awareness of good and evil—a moral compass written on the heart. Yet, without redemption, this knowledge becomes distorted by sin. Conscience erodes, and discernment grows dim unless restored by the mercy and transforming grace of Almighty God.
“Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil.” – Genesis 3:22
“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves… They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness…” – Romans 2:14–15
In both cases, the fear of sin is a signpost—either pointing us back to the holiness of God, or revealing the desperate need for His salvation. This Unhealthy Fear can paralyze you into not stepping forward into doing things that you should do. Usually this kind of fear involves a lack of faith in God Who will provide all things for you.
Example – if a righteous husband tells his wife she should not work but stay home to take care of herself, her husband and their children, and she refuses because she fears their income will not sustain them in a manner she desires, she sins – both against her husband and God. God’s word says, “wives, be subject to you husband”. There are very different and difficult scenarios similar to this example but, ultimately for her fear of this world supersedes fear of God.
“Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.” Ephesians 5:24 ESV
Here is a personal example which I had to overcome. I had a fear writing these blogs. There are some which I feared posting because I want to be true to God’s word in every way. I could play safe and not do anything. Many Christians do this. For me it would be sin because I feel compelled to continue what I am doing by God’s gifting. If I did nothing I would be like the man who buried his talent in the ground fearing his master.
“He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.” Matthew 25:24-28 ESV
There is another lesson here. Never choose to work for God but, once called, always continue to press toward the goal He has called you too. OC – Oswald Cambers
“You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” Deuteronomy 5:32 ESV
“It is not a fact that I have already secured it or already reached perfection, but I am pressing on to see if I can capture it, the ideal for which I was captured by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12 Williams
Fear is not all bad. Healthy Fear can save your life. It warns us of eminent danger. Fear of the Lord is a healthy fear that reminds us of eminent sin and its consequences. Raised as a Catholic I would always say an “act of contrition” when confessing my sins. It goes as such:
“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of hell, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, and to amend my life. Amen”.
A good prayer but note: by this confession we admit and fear three things: “the loss of Heaven”, “the pains of hell” and, offending God. I feared confession because I didn’t want anyone to know what I did but, I feared God more because of the consequences of my sins – the pains of hell. As a Born Again Christian my fear is more focused on offending God. Even so, today, upon knowledge of sinning I enter into immediate contrition – keeping short accounts for all I did wrong, or, thought I did wrong. Forgiveness comes from the love of God, His grace, and His atonement which covers all sins – past, present, future and even those I didn’t even know I was committing, as Job above. This gives me freedom, peace, love, thanksgiving and rest in He Who did all things for me.
Fear Addiction – As the latter days draw closer a new type of fear arises—Fear Addiction. This is addressed in many arenas including those who engage in extreme sports whereby they consciously put themselves in eminent danger in order to receive an adrenaline rush. I had a friend who was addicted to “skydiving”. He did so many jumps that insurance companies would no longer insure him and he had to quit competitive diving, Companies, as in amusement parks, would no longer hire him. I’ve also know skiers who would purposely choose the most dangerous trails on the mountain and would often sky “off trail” where skiing was not allowed for safety reasons. It was all about the rush and defying death. Not much wisdom here. God created us for a specific purpose and I do not see where that purpose includes putting ourselves in immediate danger for self aggrandizing thrills.
Compromise
In adhering to the unyielding principles of the divine Word, we are reminded that there can be no middle ground or flexibility when it comes to aligning with the Will of Almighty God. The prospect of compromise can lead to a subtle erosion of our righteousness, allowing darkness to seep into our lives and undermine the very foundations of our faith. As Psalm 125:3 warns us:
“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.” ESV
This solemn prophecy serves as a stark reminder that complacency and compromise can have devastating consequences. The moment we begin to waver in our commitment to the truth, we risk exposing ourselves to the corrupting influence of wickedness.
To maintain our spiritual integrity, we must be resolute in our dedication to the divine Word. We must refuse to yield to the pressure to conform or adapt to the prevailing winds of compromise. Instead, we must draw strength from the unshakable foundation of God’s Word, allowing its timeless truths to guide us on our journey.
In this way, we will remain steadfast and true, unwavering in our commitment to the principles that have shaped our lives. We will emerge as beacons of hope, shining brightly in a world that often seems lost and uncertain. Only through this unyielding commitment to the truth can we truly fulfill our purpose and live the life God has called us to live.
Fear compromise
Conclusion
If we grasp the profound depth of Jesus’ atonement, we’ll be empowered to shatter all shackles of fear and doubt, casting aside the weights of guilt and unrighteousness like so much dust. For in this profound understanding lies the assurance that our salvation is not only certain, but also complete – a firm foundation upon which we can stand without reservation.
In this liberation from the tyranny of sin, we’ll discover boundless freedom to live for Christ with unwavering devotion and unshakable joy. Our hearts will beat with an unbridled passion to serve Him, our every step guided by the certain knowledge that we are forgiven, not because of our efforts, but because of His infinite mercy.
By embracing this liberating truth, we’ll be transformed into vessels of Christ’s glory, radiating the light of His presence to a world in desperate need of it. Our lives will become a shining testament to the power of redemption, and the boundless potential that lies within each human heart when freed from the chains of sin and self.
In a previous paper I mentioned that we must echo the Word and the Will of Almighty God. This is wisdom. By doing so we unleash the most powerful force in the universe. Fear of sin and fear of unrighteousness can either compliment this force or dampen it to the degree that it becomes totally useless.
Enough Said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16 ESV
