Does love cast out fear? How can we apply this verse when we have to deal with the insecure?

Question

1 John 4:18 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.

Answer 1

I believe it is a matter of getting to know God better  and maturing in Him

1 John 4:17 (King James Version)



17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Answer 2

Only perfect love casts out all fear. That means that we can take comfort in the fact that God loves us perfectly and that nothing will happen to us outside of his will.  

Answer 3

Oh, yes! Perfect love drives out fear. I know this from experience. However, you've asked how this principle can be applied to people who are insecure.

First thing is to establish what their security is founded on. For some people it's money, material possessions or job security. For others, it's their physical strength or their looks. Some people are insecure because of physical pain and suffering or from mental problems. I used to be insecure because I was convinced that Armageddon was imminent and I would not survive it because I had left the religious denomination I had been brought up in.

It is only when we put our trust, our faith and our lives into the hands of the risen Christ Jesus that we realise there is no longer any need to fear. No matter what happens to us in the here and now, the here and after is taken care of! We have assurance that there is nothing on earth or in heaven that can separate us from the love of God, and that all things work to the good of those who love God and obey him (Romans 8:28-38).

It is human to feel insecure. But perfect love is divine - God is love, and we are created in his image. God loved us so much he sent Jesus to earth so that "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16-21).

The best thing we can to when dealing with people who are insecure is to let that love shine forth and to point people to Christ Jesus.

Answer 4

Sounds very whimsical. And no its wrong. Love alone does not cast out fear. But if you want to believe so...good luck.

Answer 5

Perfect love is from God alone.  He is the one who judges.  If we love Him we do not have to fear his judgement because Jesus has already paid the price for our sin.  Knowing the love of God can help us through any time of trouble because we know he will never abandon us or forsake us.  

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38,39

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. John 14:1

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  Romans 8:31,32

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7