How fearful Christians land up in hell
Throughout the Bible, God tells all His children to “fear not!” because He is with us. In contrast, the Bible also shows us that cowardly Christians are destined to end up in hell, along with the faithless. Those who conquer their fears and fleshly impulses will make it to heaven and be given the right to be called sons and daughters of God. Why does something as instinctual as fear have such deadly eternal consequences?
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 为何胆怯的信徒要下地狱 | 繁體中文 > 為何膽怯的信徒要下地獄)
Revelation 21:7-8 ESV The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
God’s Word distinguishes between two types of fear; one good and one bad. The good type of fear is based on a healthy reverence and awe of God. The bad type of fear is a general worry about the things of this life.
Luke 21:34 NLT “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life…
As Moses gave God’s people the Ten Commandments, he reminded them not to fear the tests that God had laid before them but to fear their Creator instead, because this would keep them from sinning against Him.
Exodus 20:20 ESV Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.”
A healthy fear of God brings wisdom and life
When we fear and revere God correctly, we will:
- Worship and glorify Him | Revelation 15:4 ESV Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
- Watch our conduct | 1 Peter 1:17 ESV And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
- Keep His commandments | Deuteronomy 5:29 Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!
God does not want us to fear Him because He is mean and cruel. He wants us to revere Him because this leads to wisdom. This world is filled with enticing temptations and spiritual traps that lead people into sin. The fear of God will keep us sober-minded, able to make wise choices – that are not driven by our fleshly impulses – but by a reverence for what God thinks and feels, over and above we think and feel.
Proverbs 9:10 ESV The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Psalm 53:2 NLT God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.
A healthy fear of God propels us to seek His will in every aspect of our lives, rather than run and hide away from Him. It leads to a restful peace and serenity, not more striving. This type of fear leads to life, not to death. Also, see Testing our hearts for a healthy fear of God
Proverbs 14:27 ESV The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
When we place the fear of God above our own fears, He promises that He will:
- Shower us with His steadfast love| Psalm 103:17 ESV But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children,
- Be compassionate | Psalm 103:13 ESV As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
- Be abundantly good towards us | Psalm 31:19 ESV Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!
- Strengthen and help us | Isaiah 41:10 ESV Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
- Bless us | Psalm 112:1 ESV Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments!
- Show mercy to our descendants | Luke 1:50 ESV And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
What wonderful promises.
Also, see Godly vs. worldly wisdom
Satan capitalises on our fears to enslave us
Our human anxieties and fleshly fears, on the other hand, have deadly consequences.
Fear has a way to consume us. We find that our thoughts will tend to revolve around our worries, sometimes almost obsessively. We forget that “the Lord is at hand” and that we should “not be anxious about anything.” And we certainly fail to think about things that are worthy of praise
Philippians 4:5-9 ESV … The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Easily distracted and listless, we are no longer “sober-minded and watchful” and become easy prey for the devil. Satan knows that fear is a handy weapon to use against God’s people because it can override our rational, sober-minded thinking. Also, see Fear, an ungodly use of imagination
1 Peter 5:8-10 NLT Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
When our minds are “blinded” by Satan through fear, we find it hard to focus on God’s promises and obey our loving Father in heaven.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
Here are a few examples to illustrate.
1. Forgiving others
God’s Word calls us to forgive others – but Satan will inject us with the fear of being hurt again, so we withdraw from God’s commandment to show mercy and compassion. We choose not to forgive. As a result, God’s forgiveness for our sins is also canceled out.
Matthew 6:14-15 ESV For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
2. Providing for the needy
God’s Word calls us to be generous to the poor – but Satan will inject us with the fear of not having enough. So we choose to turn a blind eye to the needy. As a result, we bring on a curse on ourselves and will “go away into eternal punishment”.
Proverbs 28:27 ESV Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
Matthew 25:41-46 ESV “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
3. Telling the truth
God’s Word calls us to not spread falsehood – but Satan will inject us with the fear of being punished or rejected if we tell the truth. So we choose to lie instead. As a result, we become children of the devil, who is the “father of lies.”
Exodus 23:1 ESV “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
Proverbs 19:9 ESV A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.
John 8:44 NLT For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.
4. Living righteously
God’s Word calls us to make the best use of our time because “the days are evil” – but Satan will inject us with the fear of missing out amongst friends. So we choose to fill our time with frivolous activities just like the rest of the world. As a result, we live foolishly and become “enemies of God.”
Ephesians 5:15-18 ESV Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
James 4:4 NLT You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
5. Keeping the Sabbath holy
God’s Word calls us to rest and keep the Sabbath holy – but Satan will inject us with the fear of not having perfected our work or not impressing our supervisor. So we choose to work on the Sabbath. As a result, we disobey one of the Ten Commandments and forsake the honour and heritage that God had originally in store for us.
Isaiah 58:13-14 ESV “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6. Building others up with our words
God’s Word calls us to not to use our mouths for unwholesome talk – but Satan will inject us with the fear of being unpopular. So we choose to join in the crowd to gossip, tell crude jokes, mock and slander other people. As a result, we grieve the Holy Spirit and sin against God.
Ephesians 4:29-31 NIV Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Matthew 15:10-11 NLT Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
7. Not being unequally yoked
God’s Word calls us not to be partners with unbelievers because there is no harmony between followers of Jesus and followers of the devil – but Satan will inject us with the fear of being alone. So we willfully marry non-believers or go into business with them. As a result, we forsake the right to be God’s sons and daughters.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”
Sin that leads to eternal death in hell
The Bible confirms that all wrongdoing is sin, but there are types of sin that Christians commit that lead us straight to eternal death in hell, unless we repent and turn away from them for good.
1 John 5:17 ESV All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.
Luke 13:3 NIV I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.
Amongst the seven examples given above, we see that at least four fall into this category. They are unforgiveness; turning a blind eye to the needy; lying; and loving the world more than God.
Satan knows this and will try to use our instinctual fears to control us and to get us to sin against God. The more fear we allow into our hearts, the tighter the grip that Satan has over our thoughts and our reactions. This is how the devil steers Christians towards hell even if we are unwilling to go there.
Many Christians may not even realise Satan has succeeded in securing a stronghold over us because we are mostly unconscious of our most deeply embedded fears. But it is absolutely crucial for us to face up to them, because fear is not from God – it is from Satan who is intent on destroying us.
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Thank God that there is one fear that can override all our other fears, and that is the fear of God. If our hearts are already filled with a fear of God, Satan can’t use our other fears to control us and lead us to sin.
James 4:7-8 ESV Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
1 John 5:18-20 NLT We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.
Also, see Living a holy life, free from sin’s power
Use the Sword of the Holy Spirit to defeat the spirit of fear
In this life, we will all face a constant battle between our earthly fears and our fear of God.
Many of our earthly fears are legitimate and may even be useful at times, but at the end of the day, they will end up pulling us away from God. Thankfully, God has provided us with a sword to counter-attack Satan’s temptations – and that is the Bible.
Ephesians 6:17 ESV and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
The Bible is filled with over 100 reminders to “not fear” or to “not be anxious”. God’s Word explicitly tells us “do not fear,” just as God tells us, “do not murder.” It stands as a non-negotiable directive, not a suggestion.
Here are just a few examples.
- Do not fear that we will not have enough| The Bible says: Matthew 6:31-33 ESV Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Do not fear that we have become worthless | The Bible says: Matthew 10:30-31 ESV But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
- Do not fear shame | The Bible says: Isaiah 54:4 ESV “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
- Do not fear other people | The Bible says: Proverbs 29:25 ESV The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
- Do not fear threats and false accusations | The Bible says: Matthew 10:25-26 NLT Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all.
- Do not fear physical harm | The Bible says: Matthew 10:28 ESV And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- Do not fear suffering | The Bible says: 1 Peter 3:14 ESV But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
- Do not fear standing up for Christ | The Bible says: Matthew 10:32-33 ESV So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
Perhaps the worst type of fear to entertain is a fear of Satan or evil spirits. Jesus has defeated, disarmed, and shamed all of them through His death on the cross and resurrection. Praise God that Jesus has destroyed the devil’s works and power over our lives. We now have authority over them in Jesus’ name. Not only that, we are even destined to judge these fallen angels one day. (Satan and evil spirits are fallen angels.)
Colossians 2:15 NLT … he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.
1 John 3:8 ESV … The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.
Luke 10:19-20 NLT Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
Philippians 2:10 ESV so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
1 Corinthians 6:3 ESV Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!
We are certainly not meant to fear Satan or be enslaved by a spirit of fear!
Romans 8:15 ESV For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Encouragements
Facing up to our fears and anxieties is one of the first steps towards maturity as believers. We are called to be confident God-fearing people who are not easily swayed by the winds of this life.
Ephesians 4:14 NLT Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
Whenever we begin to experience fear of any kind, we can immediately ask God for His help to overcome it, either with verses from the Bible or by reverently submitting to His will. We can trust that His Spirit will give us the power and self-control we need to overcome our anxieties.
Just like Martha, we ought not to “anxious and troubled about many things” but instead, do what is “necessary”, which is to sit at God’s feet and learn from Him. God promises to teach and show us a way of escape if we will only stop and listen.
Luke 10:38-42 ESV … Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Our powerful God has created an infinite number of planets and creatures in this universe and He tenderly cares for every detail of His creation, down to the hairs on our heads. He is always present and will never forsake us. If we humbly and reverently seek Him with all our hearts, He will answer and deliver us from all our fears.
Luke 12:7 ESV Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Jeremiah 29:13 ESV You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Psalm 34:4 ESV I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Testimony: Repenting of fear formed from a root of idolatry
“I suffered from a lot of anxiety and restless energy.
When I went for prayer ministry at church, I was asked to seek the Holy Spirit for revelation and see if there was any particular incident in my childhood that came to mind. I assumed it would involve my mother. I was very afraid of and heavily influenced by her dominating personality. As a child, I had feared her to the extent I based a lot of my actions and life decisions on her expectations and words.
Strangely, subconsciously, I shouted out instead, “Dad, where are you? I’m scared. Why don’t you do something?”
I had never blamed my dad for anything, and I don’t know why I shouted out these words. My relationship with dad had always been great. I saw him as the best dad ever – kind, gentle, considerate, patient, provided well for the family, always there to listen and give advice. Yet, that day, the Holy Spirit revealed one thing to me. Deep down, I struggled to understand why my dad was always missing in action, never seemed strong enough to protect me, and was never in control when I needed him the most.
So I formed a belief that I need to protect myself, plan for myself, and resolve problems my own way if I want to make things better. I realised that all this time, I had projected the same assumptions onto God, our Heavenly Father. While I said that I have faith in God, my actions showed I actually doubted whether God will really take action and deliver on His promises. Subconsciously, I believed that I need to take care of everything, I need to make sure things progress, change, happen.I realised that my anxieties and restlessness was based on a lack of trust in God and an idolatry of my parents because I still yearned for their approval and affirmation more than God’s. I was not looking at Jesus, but my parents! I repented and asked for God’s forgiveness. At that time, I felt like a weight lifted off my heart.
I am still learning how to put all things down to trust God on a daily basis but I now have a lot more confidence and peace than I have ever before. I also forgave my parents because I realise their love will never compare with God’s love for me. He has been so gracious and patient with me.”
May this sharing be a blessing to you as you seek to love God with all your heart and crucify your fears to the cross.