Fear is associated with sin.

The first kind of fear is fear of falling: This is the fear that preceeds sin, and is very beneficial for it makes one cautious. Anyone who likes to lead a pure life, fears falling. This is the first kind of sin associated with sin; "Blessed is the man who walks not in the council of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful." (Psalm 1:1) If someone sins he falls into another kind of fear, the fear of being revealed. Reagarding the fear of being revealed, it is worthy to say that sin is often commited in the dark and in secret. It is written that sinners "loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (Jn 3:19) "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God." (Jn 3:21)

There is one more thing that the spiritual person may be concerned with, his sins may be revealed before the spirits of those who departed from this world. One may ask: WHAT THEN SHALL I DO? I can tell you that repentance erases sin, as if you have done nothing wrong. It washes you and makes you whiter than snow. No longer will you be afraid that your sins may be revealed. If you are afraid that your sins may be revealed, repent, and the angels of God and all the spirits of the saints will rejoice for you; for there is joy in heaven over 1 sinner who repents (Lk 15:7)

Another kind of fear is the fear of punishment, or from the consequences of sin. The sinner is afraid of 2 punishments; earthly and heavenly. The eternal punishment is eternal and dreadful. As for the earthly punishment it is also of different kinds; it may be punishment by the society in the form of a scandle of despise, or becoming no more trustworthy... Punishment may also be by law, such as by impisionment or anything more rigid... or it may be punishment by God in the form of sickness or infirmity....

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Good preparation for tomorrow includes good use of today.