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translates to, "dread; timidity, fearfulness, cowardice." If God wants us to come boldly to His throne, we can't come boldly and cower at the same time. If we dread God, we won't have the faith to ask Him for anything. We will live in a constant state of self condemnation fearing the consequences of sin. Hence, it should be clear that this use of fear is not God's desire for mankind. Let's take a look at why.

First, fear opposes power. Power can be broken down into authority and ability. If you are anything like me, you have instances in everyday life where you find yourself rushing. Because of this rush, you may find yourself traveling at a speed just above what the sign on the road directs. However, when you see the trooper car on the side of the highway your foot finds the brake to ever so gently, decrease your speed. (Confession; good for the soul, bad for the reputation) The officer doesn't have to say anything or even get out of the car, his or her presence stops you because of the authority vested in them. Every once in a while you find folks who choose to ignore this authority and the officer has to back it up with another form of power which is the demonstration of ability...the usage of the gun, the handcuffs and the night stick. Cops don't accessorize for fashion's sake. I thank God for the police because when someone really acts crazy they are empowered with authority and capable of taking action to change the situation. However, it's a sad day when the police show up on the scene and are intimidated by their surroundings. This is why an officer, who has had a traumatic experience, is usually pulled back from the street until they regain confidence and then they are commissioned to re-engage. An officer operating in fear will not exercise the power vested in them and therefore the whole police force is undermined.

Not only power but fear opposes love. The kind of love God has for us is called agape; unconditional love. You may think that His love is dependent on our acceptance of Christ but Romans 5:8 says, "...while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." John 15:13 goes on to say, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." This is a love that is vulnerable and open to be hurt but according to 1 Corinthians 13, it never fails. Fear affects love because we link trust and love together. Since we usually keep a record of wrong doings, we are afraid to trust and our love has conditions. However, The Word tells

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