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What Does It Mean That Perfect Love Casts Out Fear?

Have you ever been unexpectedly gripped by fear? Or perhaps anxiety is a constant companion holding you back from enjoying life fully. Fear is a hurdle we regularly encounter, and it takes a toll on us physically, mentally, and spiritually. We may be anxious about an unknown future or outcome. Fear associated with past experiences can resurface and paralyze us from moving forward. While fear presents itself in many ways, it is often rooted in a deeper dread of separation, alienation, loss, and unworthiness.

We are loyal to our fears and often trip up and stumble as we practice denying their hold on our lives. However, Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” When we fall into well-worn ruts of anxious thoughts, we can lean into God, whose perfect love casts out fear.

God’s Perfect Love Casts Out Fear and Gives Us Confidence

In 1 John 4:18, we read, “Perfect love casts out fear.” God’s love is the only perfect love “because God is love” (1 John 4:8). The Greek word casts means “to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls.” This definition makes plain the worthless nature of our fears. Although fear often represents a valid concern, it is empty and futile at its core. The enemy wants to cripple us with doubt, anxiety, and uncertainty. Alternatively, God aims to liberate us and replace fear with confidence.

Looking at the rest of the verse, John is writing about punishment: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

Fear is rooted in sin’s punishment and curse. Jesus came to defeat death and sin and rise again so that “we too might walk in newness of life,” as Romans 6:4 promises. Remember the root of our fears—separation, alienation, loss, and unworthiness—Jesus addressed all of these on the cross. 

We are no longer separated or alienated but brought near to God and restored in relationship to Him. 

We no longer face an eternity of loss but instead are comforted in our temporary grief while resting in eternal hope and a future without want or need. 

We are no longer marred by shame and guilt but counted wholly worthy by the price Jesus paid on our behalves.

We can confidently draw near to God, whose presence scatters fear like light dissipating darkness. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to, “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

God’s Perfect Love Helps Us Cast Out Fear in Others

Have you ever walked alongside a friend or loved one as they wrestle against chronic anxiety or frightening circumstances? As we experience God’s perfect love driving away fear, we can be an extension of that love so that others can experience freedom from worry and anxiety. Our task is not to solve problems but to simply be a presence of God’s love. Fear cannot persist where God’s perfect love prevails. Who do you know is suffering beneath the weight of fear? Draw near to them with God’s perfect love. 2 Corinthians 1:4 reminds us God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

God is ever-present and at hand, ready to cast away our fears by His presence and perfect love. As we invite Him to arrest anxiety and diffuse doubt, we become better equipped to identify fears, name them for what they are, and trade them for confidence in the One who dealt with every fear on Calvary.

EXPERIENCE GOD’S PEACE WITH THE

HIDDEN IN MY HEART SCRIPTURE MUSIC COLLECTION