Pilgrim’s Progress: Conversations of Fear

As they continue on their journey, Christian and Hopeful discuss many things.

One of those things is fear.

“What is Right Fear?”

“…fear tends much to men’s good, and to make them right, at their beginning to go on pilgrimage.”

“without all doubt it doth…’Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.”

“How would you describe right fear?”

This is the two pilgrim’s conversation. Hopeful is asking how fear could ever be righteous, and, his doubts are not unfounded.

Doesn’t fear mean you’re scared, untrusting, cowardly? How could it ever be good?

Fearfully, Wonderfully

Let’s see what the bible says.

I praise you because I am FEARFULLY and wonderfully made.

psalm 139

In FEAR of the Lord is strong confidence, and his children will have a place of refuge.

proverbs 14

and the one that Christian pointed out…

the FEAR of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1

Fear is not a sin.

In the first verse, it’s an adjective describing how brilliant the Lord’s design is.

In the second and third verses, it’s an attribute of praise. We fear the Lord because we know he is much, MUCH more powerful than us, and we are in awe.

Fear becomes bad when it’s evidence of not having faith in God. But it’s a natural instinct. As Christian says:

“…it driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation.”

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That’s all for today!! Until next time, happy reading!!