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  THE ONE TO BE FEARED
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: The fear-not cult's teaching is irresponsible and based on a
false assumption, as the world is full of enemies to mankind, including
man himself.

Topics: "Fear Of God", "Understanding Fear"
Scripture References: Psalm 27:1, Psalm 34:4, Proverbs 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:1-2, Matthew 10:28, Luke 12:5, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:6, 1 Peter 5:8

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of recognizing the reality of fear
in our lives, arguing against the notion that there is nothing to fear.
He critiques the 'fear-not' philosophy that misinterprets Scripture,
asserting that it is irresponsible to suggest that believers can simply
dismiss their fears. Tozer points out that the world is filled with
dangers, including the potential harm from humanity itself, and he
highlights Jesus' teaching to fear God, who has ultimate authority over
life and death. The sermon calls for a proper understanding of fear,
urging believers to direct their reverence towards God rather than
dismissing their fears altogether.

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CONTENT
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Over the years I have read or thumbed through a great many books on how
to conquer fear. The cult of relaxation has, in fact, quite taken over
certain areas of the religious thinking of the day. Of course the fear-
not cultists are able to assemble a lot of Scripture to support their
teaching, but the catch is that practically all of it is misunderstood
or misapplied. It just doesnt mean what they say it does, and what is
still worse, it isnt addressed to the people they try to apply it to.

The fear-not philosophers all begin with the same error; namely, that
there is nothing to fear, and all we need to do to get deliverance is to
believe it.

To teach people living in a world like ours that there is nothing to be
afraid of is to be guilty of gross irresponsibility, and any teacher who
does so disqualifies himself instantly and proves himself unworthy of
the confidence of serious-minded men. Both the Bible and human
experience teach that the world is full of enemies to mankind, not the
least of those dangers being man himself. Our Lord said, I will forewarn
you whom you shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power
to cast into Hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/the-one-to-be-feared/
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