Letting Perfect Love Cast Out Fear
Your Nightly Scripture
Evening Scripture
1 John, Chapter 4
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Evening Reflection
If we’re honest for a minute, fear is real…even in those who love and know God in a very intimate and personal way. So, for the sake of our reflection tonight, we won’t pretend that it doesn’t exist or cast one off if they are experiencing it. Tonight, my hope is that we both debunk the power fear can have over our lives and allow love to seep into the deepest of fears.
Fear, according to John, “has to do with punishment” and “the one who fears is not made in perfect love.” When we examine why we are experiencing fear, I think it helps to ask, “What am I afraid of?” After experiencing three miscarriages, I am hopeful of having a successful pregnancy. And yet when I imagine going into the doctor's office for another ultrasound, fear washes over me. When I go deeper into the thoughts and feelings behind the fear, I am scared of another ultrasound tech saying, “I’m sorry, we do not detect the heartbeat.” I am scared of the disappointment and deferred hope. I’m nervous about the uncontrollable outcome. And then I am reminded of His love.
Perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). John doesn’t say that it’s not there. He says love drives it out. When I go back to the fears I’m experiencing, I have to preach to my soul, and I’m thankful I have this chapter to encourage me. From our reading tonight, this is the message I’m telling my soul. Maybe think of the fear that you have in your life right now and preach this to your soul, too!
Dear Soul,
You’re precious in God’s eyes. You are dearly loved. If you saw what God sees, you’d never question what He allows. When you start to panic and feel fear creeping in, remember Jesus. The suffering you’ve walked through is known deeply by a Savior who suffered. Remember, He has given you His Spirit. When fear rears its ugly head, allow love to drive it out. God is love, and love cares, comforts, and has only pure intentions. Your test will turn into a testimony. Your pain into purpose. Soul, love Him, and love others. By your love, you will loosen the grip of fear and replace it with trust and peace.
Evening Prayer
Father,
I pray you would sound the alarm when fear tries to take over. Remind me of the authority in Christ I have to drive it out in His name. I plead to you, Jesus, for your perfect love to wash over me tonight. I pray for unexplainable peace. I pray for ultimate trust and a surrendered heart and hands. Tonight, I declare my love for you and my unending commitment to walk forward in your Spirit, staying in step with you and your leading. Fear, you must flee in the name of Jesus.
Amen.
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Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3
In this episode of The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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