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Fear

Faith Q&A › Metropolitan Youssef › Spiritual Life › Fear

The question

Fear is a fruit of sin, but is it considered a sin itself? I mean do I commit a sin when I fear?

The answer

Fear results from a lack of faith and trust in God. When God created man, He did not intend for him to fear "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7). It is a sin because it is against the commandment of God. St. Paul teaches us, "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13:5-6).

God is love and He wants us to love Him and trust in Him "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). One of the best Psalms to recite when one is troubled with fear is Psalm 23 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Ps 23:4).

Answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab)

Related questions

Questions answered by His Eminence Metropolitan Youssef (opens in a new tab) of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. Question 858 on the Diocese’s Q&A site. Questions and answers © Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. All rights reserved.