By Ever read a verse that made you panic?
Like: “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out” (Matthew 5:29)?
Or: “Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling” (Psalm 2:11)?
If you’ve wondered, “Does this apply to me today?”—you’re not alone.
Here’s the truth: not every verse applies to you in the same way.
Why? Because the Bible contains two covenants: the Old and the New.
- The Old Covenant was based on performance: do to get.
- The New Covenant, which we live under, is based entirely on what Jesus did: done, not do.
So when you read a verse, ask:
- What’s the context? Read the paragraph before and after. Many scary verses were written to kings, Israel’s enemies or people accusing Jesus—not you.
- Which covenant? If it’s Old Covenant law, it doesn’t apply to you today. Jesus fulfilled it.
- Does it align with Jesus? He said, “It is finished.” If a verse makes God seem angry or distant, filter it through the cross. Jesus revealed God as full of love and grace. John encouraged that when something leaves you uncertain, choose to trust God’s perfect love (1 John 4:18).
When you read this way, fear and confusion give way to confidence. The Bible becomes not a list of threats, but a story pointing to Jesus, and the freedom He gave you.
Bottom line: Context and covenant matter. When you know them, Scripture becomes a balm of healing, not a weapon of condemnation.
This post is just a glimpse from my Fears of the Lord series. In it, I unpack the true fear of the Lord—the kind that brings wisdom—and expose the lies that keep people afraid of God. Get it for your donation of any amount.