Are there any other Christians out there who don't believe the 'fear equals sin' claim? [Spirituality & Religion]

Because regardless of how many Bible verses you can use to support the very general statement, human beings have a strong survival instinct and part of that involves human senses and emotions.

For example, if a person repeatedly yells and throws things at you, it might not be a sin to experience some sort of apprehension when you encounter them yet again.

Also not every scripture is for every context.

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SWisGoingWoke · M Best Comment

No, fear is a normal emotion, not equated with sin. The bible even says that it is normal to fear God...so how could it be sin?

purplepen · 51-55, F

@SWisGoingWoke Remember those times when angels showed up and said 'Fear not...' This is frequently taken out of context as a command to never be afraid of everything. And that passage where 'the fearful and the unbelieving' are thrown into hell - this one too gets generalized into an extra commandment to never have any fear, since (presumably) it can send a person to hell. I will have to study that last one further, because I want to be sure to take it in the correct context. Otherwise, one ends up merging into a sort of postmodern churchian culture where God is taken as a sugar daddy, women are encouraged to be little divas, and nothing is properly dealt with.

SWisGoingWoke · M

@purplepen EXACTLY!
Dang yer smart.

SWisGoingWoke · M

@purplepen Regarding your last point "the fearful and unbelieving are..."

My understanding is that we as humans, fallen due to the Adamic sin nature we are all born with, must realize that the consequences of sin, our sin, is our punishment. That punishment is eternal separation from the relationship we are meant to have with God.

That fellowship is broken due to sin, but it can be restored...only through repentance and acceptance of the salvation provided by Jesus. It's a substitutionary atonement which is offered by God, clearly and simply, as our only solution. Without the act of repentance and acceptance of Jesus' salvation, we SHOULD be in fear...fear of judgement. Those cast into hell are called unbelieving because they did not believe that salvation was possible, or available to them.

purplepen · 51-55, F

@SWisGoingWoke OK thx. I also found some links from Google to Christian websites. Some claimed fear = sin and others explained that 'fearful' meant 'cowardly,' as in too afraid to be faithful to God, which makes more sense.

SWisGoingWoke · M

@purplepen How is your Bear?

purplepen · 51-55, F

@SWisGoingWoke I think he's ok. Just going to check on him soon. Thx for asking!