Triumphing Over Sinful Fear (Puritan Treasures for Today)

In 1682, John Flavel published his work, A Practical Treatise of Fear. Almost 330 years later, the fear continues to plague people. The simple fact is this: There are two kinds of people in the world - people who admit the battle with fear and those who don't. For the people who fess up, Flavel's writing is of tremendous help.Reformation Heritage Books is a very helpful ministry that is devoted to reintroducing the writing ministry of the Puritans to an age that is increasingly tied to technology and postmodernism. This title is appropriately retitled, Triumphing Over Sinful Fear and comes highly recommended.John Flavel is quick to remind readers that the ultimate remedy for fear is a healthy fear of God. This kind of fear is defines as "a gracious habit or principle planted by God in the soul, whereby the soul is kept under a holy awe of the eye of God, and from thence is inclined to perform and do what pleases him, and to shun and avoid whatever he forbids and hates."Flavel draws a sharp contrast between the carnal man who "fears man, not God" and the godly person who "fears God, not man." He adds, "The weak Christian fears man too much and God too little."Flavel continues, "There is a fear which is the effect of sin. It springs from guilt and hurries the soul into more guilt. There is a fear which is the effect of grace. It springs from our love for God and His interest and drives the soul to Him in the way of duty. The less fear a person has, the more happiness he has - unless, of course, it is that fear which is his happiness and excellency."So in a few words, the Puritan divine sets himself in opposition to the world that has invented a multitude of explanations for fear. Flavel cuts through all the so-called justifications for fear and helps readers understand that sin is at the core of our struggle with fear. "Sinful fear," he says, "will cause the best people to attempt to help themselves through sinful compromises."Flavel utilizes Isaiah 8:13 as his primary text which he offers as a remedy for fear. He comments, "The fear of God will swallow up the fear of man. A reverential awe and dread of God will extinguish the creature's slavish far, as the rain puts out the fire. To sanctify the Lord of hosts is to acknowledge the glory of His sovereign power, wisdom, and faithfulness. It includes not only a verbal confession, but internal acts of trust, confidence, and entire dependence upon Him. These are our choicest respects towards God, and give Him the greatest glory." So fearing God is the primary remedy in the battle with fear.The Puritan preacher alerts readers to the various kinds of fear: Natural fear, sinful fear, and religious fear. Additionally, he argues that fear has several uses. Sinful fear may be utilized as a tool in the hand of God as a "scourge to punish His enemies." Secondly, God may use sinful fear to "punish His enemies in hell." And God may use sinful fear to "scatter wicked people, especially when they align themselves against God."Religious fear may be uses to "excite and confirm His promisees in the way of their duty," namely - to fear God and obey His commandments. Religious fear may be used to "preserve our conscience's peace and purity." And finally, religious fear may be used by God to "make us prepare for future distress."Next, Flavel helps readers understand the various causes of fear including ignorance, guilt, unbelief, confusion, immoderation, and Satan. The effects of sinful fear are set forth as well. These effects may include but not be limited to distraction, deception, vulnerability, cowardice, bondage, and apostasy.Finally, Flavel unpacks several rules for combatting fear:1. Study the Covenant of Grace2. Consider the Misery of Sinful Fear3. Prepare for Future Suffering4. Commit Yourself to God5. Mortify Your Affections to the World6. Imitate Faithful Saints7. Confirm Your Interest in Christ8. Keep Your Conscience Pure9. Record Your Experiences of God's Faithfulness10. Consider Christ's Providential Kingdom11. Subject Your Carnal Reasoning to Faith12. Exalt the Fear of God in Your HeartThis short review only scratches the surface of John Flavel's excellent treatment on fear. "You must exalt the fear of God in your hearts and let it gain the ascendency over all other fears." More than anything else in the book, this is the constant theme that emerges. This is the constant theme that fear mongers must return to again and again. Then and only then, will sinners be able to triumph over sinful fear.Highly recommended!

We must all deal with the inevitable reality of fear. If you are a Christian you can deal with it in a sweet way. Let this author who lived under persecution teach you how. This book is worth your time.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST UPLIFTING BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ ABOUT SINFUL FEAR, AND GOD'S AMAZING AND ABUNDANT LOVE. IT CLEARLY EXPLAINS THE CAUSES AND REMEDIES FOR OUR FEARS. I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THIS LITTLE TREASURE, AND I HAVE BOUGHT THEM AS GIFTS TO SHARE WITH LOVED ONES. THIS BOOK HAS MY UNEQUIVOCAL PRAISE.

I recommend this book to all Christians, especially right now. Clear, readable, reassuring. We can bring our sinful fears to God, resting and trusting in him. He is enough.

It is sad that this is not required reading for every pastoral candidate! There is no work that I have found that so clearly and compassionately guides us through this issue. This is no "read once and forget" book - it needs to be read and re-read until the reader's heart begins to change. One of the most powerful books for the education and encouragement of believers I have found!

Having read numerous books that speak to fears in the heart of the Christian, I can say that this is one of the finest. Short, biblical, pointed. Read it and enjoy!

Authors presentation of the material is easy to understand. It opened my eyes.

Timeless; thoughtful in that he recognizes there are medical/physiological reasons for some suffers (meaning he did not attribute all causal factors as behavioral) which is something misunderstood in many Christian congregations.

John flavel wrote here an amazing treatise, we are all affected by fear in all shapes and forms and we are all put to the test. What flavel wrote brings comfort to the soul, it fuels our faith, he really understood fear, it's causes, it's trials and it's solution. Fear God and him alone, he will watch over you, this is as relevant today as back in the 17th century, the puritan were men of scripture and really understood the nature of man. Read this and you will read about yourself and you cannot not be inspired to trust God all the more for he is great, puritan gold for your heart.

This book was a life changer for me. I love the puritans simply because we don't see any of the worlds influence in applying biblical truths in a believers life. It's very practical, I struggle with fear of man and when you use the remedy's in this book, it works! It helps you become unstuck. I've experienced freedom that comes from knowing the truth that comes from His word. John Flavel helps you apply them.