I was asked about fear recently. The Bible says do not fear, but certain people and situations are truly frightening; even dangerous. earful. Many church leaders and biblical counselors say fear is sinful and we should never be afraid.

This is when I say, “Show me the money.”

Who benefits when you are not–not ever, never–afraid? Who benefits when, even though you should be afraid, you fight it, push it down, ignore and repress is?

Dangerous people.

When you and I are afraid, and we can see or have experienced the reason for fear, but ignore it, dangerous people benefit. We lose. We stay. We ignore signs we should be paying attention to. We open ourselves to their schemes, wiles, trickery, coercion, and deceit over and over and over again.

Proverbs says it this way (twice!): The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. (Proverbs 22:3; 27:12).

To refuse to acknowledge danger is be naive, simple, slow, unschooled, unwitting.

The discerning factor is truth.

First, understand that God has designed your mind and body to identify danger. How? He has created you with a mind to discern and a body to respond. Over time, your body has developed patterns of thinking and behaving, so this can be difficult, but begin by paying attention to your breathing, heart rate, perspiration, thinking. When you sense danger, your mind and body will respond.

Then, ask why you are afraid. What (or who) are you afraid of? Be on guard against answers that begin with, “It’s just…” or “it’s only…” Why would you be afraid of that person or situation? Do you have good reason to be afraid? Has something happened in the past to justify your response? That is truth.

Weigh the risks. You can’t always do this well when you begin, but think it through later when you are in a safe place. What were your options? What could you do differently? What do you want to do differently? Pray and ask God. He sees the reality of your situation, your perpetrator, your past. He knows and He does not sit in judgement on your fear. It is His gift to you. He will help you. He will give wisdom if/when you ask (James 1:5).

Do what is right. Beginning to see the truth behind your fear and seeking God in your fear may move you to different words and actions. Prepare. Plan ahead. Don’t risk getting hurt if you can help it. Ask others. The Bible says, “in an abundance of counselors there is safety,” and “by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.” (Proverbs 11:14, 24:6)

Always and only, the way to discern fear is with truth. When the Bible says not to fear, it’s often in relation to specific people at a specific time who are facing something they should be afraid of: a battle, an enemy, the presence of an angel. In spite of their natural response, God tells them not to be afraid. He’s got this. (Fear of man? That’s another topic for another day–you can wait or you can pick up the book: 37 Ways to be Taken Captive: Warning Signs and Prevention for Destructive Relationships from Amazon).

The Bible does acknowledge and warn against dangerous people–even in the local church:

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Acts 20:29-30)

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. (Romans 16:17-18)

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. (2 Timothy 3:1-8)

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 12-13)

There is danger. We are told to be alert. To avoid such people. To guard ourselves. Jesus knew. He went to the cross “once for all” in obedience to His Father and for the sake of our souls (Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 26; 10:1,10). But during His earthly ministry, Jesus walked away or refused to reply 41 times. He didn’t sin. He didn’t give in to the people, or leader’s, desires. He listened to, obeyed, and trusted His Father. And He walked away.