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Puritan Treasures for Today
Triumphing Over Sinful Fear: Conquering through Faith
"Triumphing Over Sinful Conquering through Faith" by John Flavel is a transformative guide that equips believers with the tools to overcome the paralyzing grip of sinful fear. Flavel addresses the detrimental effects of fear in the Christian life and presents biblical principles and practical strategies for conquering fear through faith. Drawing from Scripture and personal insight, he encourages readers to trust in the sovereignty and faithfulness of God, finding strength and courage in His promises.
With profound wisdom and compassionate guidance, Flavel leads readers on a journey of triumph over fear, helping them experience the freedom and peace that come from placing their trust in God. This book empowers believers to live boldly, victoriously, and with unwavering faith in the face of their fears.
With profound wisdom and compassionate guidance, Flavel leads readers on a journey of triumph over fear, helping them experience the freedom and peace that come from placing their trust in God. This book empowers believers to live boldly, victoriously, and with unwavering faith in the face of their fears.
107 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2011
106 people are currently reading
580 people want to read
About the author
John Flavel
320 books86 followers"John Flavel (c.1627–1691) was an English Presbyterian clergyman, puritan, and author.
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
Flavel, the eldest son of the Rev. Richard Flavel, described as 'a painful and eminent minister,' who was incumbent successively of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, Hasler and Willersey, Gloucestershire (from which last living he was ejected in 1662), was born in or about 1627 at Bromsgrove.
Having received his early education at the schools of the neighbourhood, he entered University College, Oxford, at an early age, and gained a good reputation for talent and diligence.
On 27 April 1650, he was sent by 'the standing committee of Devon' to Diptford, a parish on the Avon, five miles from Totnes, where the minister, Mr. Walplate, had become infirm. On 17 October 1650, after examination and the preaching of a 'trial sermon,' he was ordained Mr. Walplate's assistant by the classis at Salisbury. He continued to minister at Diptford for about six years, succeeding the senior minister when he died, and endearing himself greatly to the people, not only by his earnestness, but by his easy dealings with them in the matter of tithes.
In 1656 he removed to Dartmouth, though the Diptford emoluments were much greater. On the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) he was ejected, but continued to preach in private until the Five Mile Act drove him from Dartmouth. He kept as near it, however, as possible, removing to Slapton, five miles off, and there preached twice each Sunday to all who came, among whom were many of his old parishioners. On the granting of the indulgence of 1671 he returned to Dartmouth, and continued to officiate there even after the liberty to do so was withdrawn. In the end he found himself obliged to remove to London, travelling by sea and narrowly escaping shipwreck in a storm, which is said to have ceased in answer to his prayers. Finding that he would be safer at Dartmouth he returned there, and met with his people nightly in his own house, until in 1687, on the relaxation of the penal laws, they built a meeting-house for him. Just before his death he acted as moderator at a meeting of dissenting ministers held at Topsham. He died suddenly of paralysis at Exeter on 26 June 1691, and was buried in Dartmouth churchyard. Wood bitterly comments on the violence of his dissent."
-- Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 4, 2022
This book is most easily found in a modernized version called “Triumphing Over Sinful Fear,” published by Reformation Heritage Books. I think they can be trusted to be true to the spirit of the original. However, I love to read the old-fashioned Puritan language in its original form, so I rummaged around on the internet and came up with an ebook version of the original, called “A Pracitcal Treatise of Fear.” This is an excellent exploration of the topic of fear; with characteristic Puritan thoroughness, John Flavel explains the nature of fear, analyzes the different kinds of fear, expounds on the various uses of fear, explores the causes of sinful fears, displays the effects of fear, and prescribes rules to cure & prevent sinful fears in the Christian.
One of the things that really stood out to me was Flavel’s “fight fire with fire” approach; he basically argues that if you are afraid of other people, future events, etc, it’s because you don’t have enough fear of God. It is more fear you need, not less, Flavel says—a full realization of just how terrible (and terrifying) it is to fall under the wrath of an omnipotent God. This sounded like a pretty radical approach to me, until he quoted Matthew 10:28, which says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” So then I had to smack my forehead and laugh at myself, because Flavel was clearly just expounding the teaching of Jesus himself on this topic! Radical or not, it’s completely biblical.
Another thing that stood out to me was something that Flavel only mentioned in passing, but that struck me as being particularly valuable in our current culture. Flavel notes that not all fears that humans experience are the result of sinful disbelief, and that some are the result of a physical problem. He writes,
“There is a twofold fountain of fears, one in the body, another in the soul, one in the constitution, another in the conscience; it is the affliction and infelicity of many pardoned and gracious souls, to be united and married to such distempered and ill-habited bodies, as shall afflict them without any real cause from within, and wound them by their own diseases and distempers; and these wounds can no more be prevented or cured by their reason or religion, than any other bodily disease, suppose an ague or fever, can be so cured.”
Among Christians today, there are some who contend that anxiety is, always and in every circumstance, a spiritual problem and the result either of unrepented sin or lack of faith. In such a mindset, seeking medical help for anxiety would be seen as a manifestation of distrust and an attempt to seek a worldly solution to a spiritual problem. One of the arguments I’ve heard these folks use is the assertion that the whole concept of a chemical imbalance in the brain causing anxiety (or depression) is a modern idea, an outflow of our overly therapeutic society. This “lack of faith” argument is erroneous, dangerous, and potentially very damaging to our Christian brothers and sisters who suffer from real anxiety disorders. Thus, this treatise by Flavel is an important proof text; it shows that the idea of anxiety as a mental illness is not something that modern doctors made up. Flavel’s work is hundreds of years old; he doesn’t come from a therapeutic society, and he’s never heard of serotonin, but he understands that sometimes these excessive fears come from a physical cause. (I’ve also read some excellent comments on this issue from John Newton, in some of his letters.) For this reason, I’m glad that the modernized edition of this book is available; maybe if more Christians read these good books from past generations, we’ll be able to have more of these short-sighted ideas corrected.
Most of the book, however, does focus on the fears of the soul, and it is hard-hitting but helpful. For Christians who struggle with the fear of man (and isn’t that most of us?), Flavel is a great teacher who will not only call out these sinful fears but also give sound and biblical instruction for how to strengthen our faith and find peace in Christ.
One of the things that really stood out to me was Flavel’s “fight fire with fire” approach; he basically argues that if you are afraid of other people, future events, etc, it’s because you don’t have enough fear of God. It is more fear you need, not less, Flavel says—a full realization of just how terrible (and terrifying) it is to fall under the wrath of an omnipotent God. This sounded like a pretty radical approach to me, until he quoted Matthew 10:28, which says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both body and soul in hell.” So then I had to smack my forehead and laugh at myself, because Flavel was clearly just expounding the teaching of Jesus himself on this topic! Radical or not, it’s completely biblical.
Another thing that stood out to me was something that Flavel only mentioned in passing, but that struck me as being particularly valuable in our current culture. Flavel notes that not all fears that humans experience are the result of sinful disbelief, and that some are the result of a physical problem. He writes,
“There is a twofold fountain of fears, one in the body, another in the soul, one in the constitution, another in the conscience; it is the affliction and infelicity of many pardoned and gracious souls, to be united and married to such distempered and ill-habited bodies, as shall afflict them without any real cause from within, and wound them by their own diseases and distempers; and these wounds can no more be prevented or cured by their reason or religion, than any other bodily disease, suppose an ague or fever, can be so cured.”
Among Christians today, there are some who contend that anxiety is, always and in every circumstance, a spiritual problem and the result either of unrepented sin or lack of faith. In such a mindset, seeking medical help for anxiety would be seen as a manifestation of distrust and an attempt to seek a worldly solution to a spiritual problem. One of the arguments I’ve heard these folks use is the assertion that the whole concept of a chemical imbalance in the brain causing anxiety (or depression) is a modern idea, an outflow of our overly therapeutic society. This “lack of faith” argument is erroneous, dangerous, and potentially very damaging to our Christian brothers and sisters who suffer from real anxiety disorders. Thus, this treatise by Flavel is an important proof text; it shows that the idea of anxiety as a mental illness is not something that modern doctors made up. Flavel’s work is hundreds of years old; he doesn’t come from a therapeutic society, and he’s never heard of serotonin, but he understands that sometimes these excessive fears come from a physical cause. (I’ve also read some excellent comments on this issue from John Newton, in some of his letters.) For this reason, I’m glad that the modernized edition of this book is available; maybe if more Christians read these good books from past generations, we’ll be able to have more of these short-sighted ideas corrected.
Most of the book, however, does focus on the fears of the soul, and it is hard-hitting but helpful. For Christians who struggle with the fear of man (and isn’t that most of us?), Flavel is a great teacher who will not only call out these sinful fears but also give sound and biblical instruction for how to strengthen our faith and find peace in Christ.
December 8, 2018
I’ve never read another book which so naturally and fully sums up a human’s types of fear we experience on Earth. Flavel, writing nearly 400 years ago, gives the readers a thorough examination of the types, causes, results, and ultimately remedy for our fears. A must read.
August 22, 2020
So good. A must read in times when sinful fear is taking many Christians captives.
November 16, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+❤
I first heard of this book on the Just Thinking podcast episode 113, Why Are You Afraid? If you have not listened yet, I highly recommend you do so. In a time in which Christians are trembling with slavish, sinful fear, that episode and this book are a painful conviction and an encouraging boon all rolled into one.
TOSF is laid out in a way in which one concept builds upon another. In this space, it is hard to share excerpts and brief thoughts, even though I highlighted almost every single page. The contents are like this:
😲Types of Fear (Natural, Sinful, Religious)
😲Uses of Fear (for all 3 types)
😲Causes of Sinful Fear (Ignorance, Guilt, Unbelief, Confusion, Immoderation, Satan)
😲Effects of Sinful Fear (Distraction, Deception, Vulnerability, Cowardice, Bondage)
😲Remedies for Sinful Fear (consists of 12 Rules...my favorite chapter!)
😲Objections Answered (7 statements refuted)
"When will we do away with our unbelieving 'ifs' and 'buts,' our questioning and doubting of God's power, wisdom, and tender care over us? When will we learn to trust Him in everything? 'The just shall live by his faith' (Hab 2:4). Whoever lives by faith never dies by fear. The more you trust God, the less you will torment yourself."
I highly recommend this book for Christians who are ready and wanting to hear direct, spiritual, biblical, practical advice for how to overcome fear.
I first heard of this book on the Just Thinking podcast episode 113, Why Are You Afraid? If you have not listened yet, I highly recommend you do so. In a time in which Christians are trembling with slavish, sinful fear, that episode and this book are a painful conviction and an encouraging boon all rolled into one.
TOSF is laid out in a way in which one concept builds upon another. In this space, it is hard to share excerpts and brief thoughts, even though I highlighted almost every single page. The contents are like this:
😲Types of Fear (Natural, Sinful, Religious)
😲Uses of Fear (for all 3 types)
😲Causes of Sinful Fear (Ignorance, Guilt, Unbelief, Confusion, Immoderation, Satan)
😲Effects of Sinful Fear (Distraction, Deception, Vulnerability, Cowardice, Bondage)
😲Remedies for Sinful Fear (consists of 12 Rules...my favorite chapter!)
😲Objections Answered (7 statements refuted)
"When will we do away with our unbelieving 'ifs' and 'buts,' our questioning and doubting of God's power, wisdom, and tender care over us? When will we learn to trust Him in everything? 'The just shall live by his faith' (Hab 2:4). Whoever lives by faith never dies by fear. The more you trust God, the less you will torment yourself."
I highly recommend this book for Christians who are ready and wanting to hear direct, spiritual, biblical, practical advice for how to overcome fear.
May 4, 2023
This book can be summed up in the preface:
"Natural fear becomes sinful fear when we fail to trust God's promises in the face of danger".
The prescribed antidote is provided as well: "The best cure for sinful fear is the fear of God".
That's all you need to know...
What follows afterward is a laboriously drawn-out diatribe against sinful fear. The writing style is choppy, and you'll find a myriad of examples strewn together amid a numbering system that is far from cohesive.
There were some redeeming aspects, in that it does outline the various aspects of fear: natural, sinful, and religious; and provides a clear demarcation between them. Also it ultimately points the reader to find solace in their savior.
Alas, it left me wanting. The triumphant focus it claims we have is to be prepared for persecution. An aim contrary to the declaration of independence to: "mortify our affections" of "life", "liberty", and any pursuit of happiness. In the eyes of the author, maybe one day we'll even be lucky enough to experience a violent death for our faith.
I gave it two stars as I was able to finish it, and I learned a thing or.. two. Guess I can persevere through a trial afterall!
"Natural fear becomes sinful fear when we fail to trust God's promises in the face of danger".
The prescribed antidote is provided as well: "The best cure for sinful fear is the fear of God".
That's all you need to know...
What follows afterward is a laboriously drawn-out diatribe against sinful fear. The writing style is choppy, and you'll find a myriad of examples strewn together amid a numbering system that is far from cohesive.
There were some redeeming aspects, in that it does outline the various aspects of fear: natural, sinful, and religious; and provides a clear demarcation between them. Also it ultimately points the reader to find solace in their savior.
Alas, it left me wanting. The triumphant focus it claims we have is to be prepared for persecution. An aim contrary to the declaration of independence to: "mortify our affections" of "life", "liberty", and any pursuit of happiness. In the eyes of the author, maybe one day we'll even be lucky enough to experience a violent death for our faith.
I gave it two stars as I was able to finish it, and I learned a thing or.. two. Guess I can persevere through a trial afterall!
May 5, 2023
A lot of repeating thoughts. It felt overly redundant.
April 12, 2020
Read this slowly over the past five Sundays. Thankful in the Lord’s providence to have been reading such a pastoral and useful book on sinful fear during Coronavirus quarantine.
Highly recommend to any Christian.
Highly recommend to any Christian.
April 9, 2022
This was my first book from one of the puritans. Many have said to me over and over again that I should read their work, and after hearing that Reformation Heritage Books had been working on a series of easier to read puritan works, we bought all 13. The puritans were just men like the rest of us and there is no need to give them a higher pedestal than any other devout man of God, but none the less, John Flavel did not disappoint my desire to get into some of the puritans works.
This book was full of wisdom, encouragement and much convictions. Areas in which I had no idea existed before were laid bare and my sinful fears were plain to see. But thankfully, I wasn't left there, Flavel gives many great "rules" for overcoming sinful fear. Infact the second half of the entire book is devoted to these rules. Very practical indeed.
There is so many gems in this book, some of which I found particularly humorous... here is just one that tickled me:
"Be more afraid of grieving God and wounding conscience than displeasing your friends in the world. Consider every temptation to sin, in an attempt to escape danger, to be the same thing as sinking a ship in order to avoid pirates."
Definitely recommend this book and its one I will no doubt be visiting again.
This book was full of wisdom, encouragement and much convictions. Areas in which I had no idea existed before were laid bare and my sinful fears were plain to see. But thankfully, I wasn't left there, Flavel gives many great "rules" for overcoming sinful fear. Infact the second half of the entire book is devoted to these rules. Very practical indeed.
There is so many gems in this book, some of which I found particularly humorous... here is just one that tickled me:
"Be more afraid of grieving God and wounding conscience than displeasing your friends in the world. Consider every temptation to sin, in an attempt to escape danger, to be the same thing as sinking a ship in order to avoid pirates."
Definitely recommend this book and its one I will no doubt be visiting again.
September 25, 2024
Another wonderful Flavel treatise. This time on sinful fear. Incredibly helpful, encouraging, convicting, comforting and beautiful all at once. So worth the time and effort to read. Flavel’s own deep personal faith and love of his Lord shines through.
I enjoyed the formatting and slight modernising of this version by Reformation Heritage Books which made it a really easy read in terms of vernacular and sentence structure. But I do wish they’d use a more modern translation of the scripture passages!
I enjoyed the formatting and slight modernising of this version by Reformation Heritage Books which made it a really easy read in terms of vernacular and sentence structure. But I do wish they’d use a more modern translation of the scripture passages!
October 24, 2025
Great book. I intend to read it again more slowly next time, as it is so rich. It is also very biblical and practical which I appreciate. “Don’t be a wuss, Christian!” -Flavel (paraphrased)
January 1, 2021
Wonderful encouragement!
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.
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.
December 7, 2020
One of the best books I've ever read. Worth many times its own weight in gold. Also, I need to read more Puritans. Flavel is astonishingly easy to read.
May 5, 2025
John Flavel presents a wise and deeply biblical treatment of fear. He clearly shows the difference between sinful fear and godly fear, and he does so with pastoral insight and scriptural depth.
I have personally struggled with fear in different seasons of life. This book helped me see that the only solid ground for overcoming fear is to cultivate the fear of God. That fear is not dread or panic, but reverent trust and deep submission to the Lord. Flavel makes the case that this fear is what upheld the saints of old and continues to sustain faithful Christians today.
Though the book is short, it is packed with rich truth. It calls us to examine our hearts and fix our eyes on Christ. I highly recommend it for any Christian who longs to live with courage, conviction, and trust in the Lord.
I have personally struggled with fear in different seasons of life. This book helped me see that the only solid ground for overcoming fear is to cultivate the fear of God. That fear is not dread or panic, but reverent trust and deep submission to the Lord. Flavel makes the case that this fear is what upheld the saints of old and continues to sustain faithful Christians today.
Though the book is short, it is packed with rich truth. It calls us to examine our hearts and fix our eyes on Christ. I highly recommend it for any Christian who longs to live with courage, conviction, and trust in the Lord.
April 5, 2024
Read for class. Top teir. Def 5/5.
June 16, 2025
Book club read. Love the Puritans! This was excellent.
August 18, 2025
Another great work by John Flavel. It is a great comforting book whether you are in distressed or for the trials and tribulations ahead.
January 16, 2025
Great book on the battling fear from Puritan pastor John Flavel. He clearly distinguishes different types of fear, reverent fear of God, natural fear and sinful fear. He lays out practical remedies for sinful fear, including studying the covenant of grace right to looking to saints of old for inspiration. Very practical and would recommend.
June 21, 2025
I’m so grateful for the theological precision and frankness of the Puritans.
July 29, 2020
This is a great work from the puritan era. John Flavel is a true physician of the soul. He diagnoses various sinful, natural, and religious fears with deftness and clarity. He outlines ways in which God uses fear to bring about his purposes along with the negative personal effects fear can bring into the Christian life. The majority of the second portion of the book is composed of biblical remedies for fear in the Christian life. This is the true meat of the book and the most helpful section overall. For counselors, Flavel’s entire body of work is especially good, and this book is without exception. All believers will pick up something that can benefit their own soul, especially the healthy remedies laid out in the latter half of the book.
In today’s world there are a lot of names floating around for fears that are labeled sinful according to the Scriptures. Many are innately accepted as givens by the mental health world. Various phobias, anxieties, and worries pose as disorders or diseases. Their objective existence, or lack thereof, is not in view inside Flavel’s book directly, but he rightly brings the theme of the fear of God into consideration at many turns. This point is his overarching emphasis. The fear of God is a fear that drives out other fears. Flavel’s remedies are not one dimensional, however. There are twelve remedies he would prescribe to the sinfully fearful and he unpacks each in the pages that follow. Some include the study of the covenant of grace (Ps. 118:6, Rom. 8:31), consideration of the misery of sinful fear, mortifying affections to the world, imitating faithful saints, recording experiences of God’s faithfulness, and subjecting carnal reasoning to faith. If these seem bland at first glance, read and watch Flavel bring each remedy alive.
He closes by anticipating potential objections. For the man or woman who believes their natural disposition of tenderness and sensitivity inclines them to fear and anxiety, Flavel simply says this, “It is a great mistake to think that the strength of natural constitution can carry anyone through suffering for Christ...our ability to bear suffering does not come from nature, but grace” (114). Flavel pastored battle hardened Christians who were in danger of great suffering inflicted from the hands of the state. Today’s fear of man is paltry in comparison. Yet, however small or great one’s fear is, God’s remedies prove true and effective. He is a refuge, strength, and shield. Fear of God drives away all others.
In today’s world there are a lot of names floating around for fears that are labeled sinful according to the Scriptures. Many are innately accepted as givens by the mental health world. Various phobias, anxieties, and worries pose as disorders or diseases. Their objective existence, or lack thereof, is not in view inside Flavel’s book directly, but he rightly brings the theme of the fear of God into consideration at many turns. This point is his overarching emphasis. The fear of God is a fear that drives out other fears. Flavel’s remedies are not one dimensional, however. There are twelve remedies he would prescribe to the sinfully fearful and he unpacks each in the pages that follow. Some include the study of the covenant of grace (Ps. 118:6, Rom. 8:31), consideration of the misery of sinful fear, mortifying affections to the world, imitating faithful saints, recording experiences of God’s faithfulness, and subjecting carnal reasoning to faith. If these seem bland at first glance, read and watch Flavel bring each remedy alive.
He closes by anticipating potential objections. For the man or woman who believes their natural disposition of tenderness and sensitivity inclines them to fear and anxiety, Flavel simply says this, “It is a great mistake to think that the strength of natural constitution can carry anyone through suffering for Christ...our ability to bear suffering does not come from nature, but grace” (114). Flavel pastored battle hardened Christians who were in danger of great suffering inflicted from the hands of the state. Today’s fear of man is paltry in comparison. Yet, however small or great one’s fear is, God’s remedies prove true and effective. He is a refuge, strength, and shield. Fear of God drives away all others.
September 30, 2021
Per usual, an old dead guy that lived in a very different context, but with tons of good stuff for 21st century Christians to take hold of. I think the Puritans may not have had words for today’s “depression, anxiety, etc.” but they knew how to pastorally care for those dealing with those things—seems timely nowadays! Warning for my Goodreads friends: all positive and negative reputations aside, going to likely be jumping more into the Puritans—their ability to address very real issues in a biblically-informed and pastoral manner seems reminiscent of today’s Christian counseling movement (praying about getting more into this myself). Also huge in discipling/shepherding friends/communities dealing with fear, anxiety, depression—you know the stats!
February 14, 2019
This is a short but deep and immensely pastoral, practical and helpful book for anyone struggling with the fear of man, life, anxiety, the world and all the rest of it. Flavel is easy to read, but what makes this a classic is it is steeped in Scripture, full of practical examples and steps we can adopt from the Scriptures to face our fears. Fearing God is key and Flavel just hones in constantly on who God is and His promises. What a God we have!! Good for me who fears man and struggles to speak out loud. Good for any pastor, counselor or counselee as they struggle through any fear. Good for the heart regardless
April 4, 2024
This was my 4th time reading this short book, this time at the request of a friend who wanted to read it together and discuss it. The first three times were back-to-back in 2022 as the Lord was preparing me for some rocky times.
Flavel is a master of “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” the arguments and high thing here being sinful fear. And we are the beneficiaries of his gracious, hard-hitting logic and application of the scriptures. Highly recommend this book. Flavel is my favorite among the Puritans.
Flavel is a master of “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” the arguments and high thing here being sinful fear. And we are the beneficiaries of his gracious, hard-hitting logic and application of the scriptures. Highly recommend this book. Flavel is my favorite among the Puritans.
April 30, 2020
Perhaps one of the easiest Puritans to read, I found this book practical, helpful, challenging, and encouraging. Flavel makes work here should be read by all Christians who struggle with anxiety and fears.
July 4, 2024
Reading Puritan books is like listening to biblical counseling. It acknowledges your feelings and experiences but calls you to yield them all to Truth which is what is going to keep your feet steady. Wonderful counsel and practical wisdom.
Quotes to remember:
‘The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much and God too little.’
‘It cannot be said of any person, as it is said of Leviathan: he is ‘made without fear’ (Job 41:33b). The strongest people are not without some fears. When the church is in the storms of persecution, and almost covered with the waves, her most courageous passengers may suffer as much from this boisterous passion within as from the storm without. This is the result of not thoroughly believing or seasonably remembering that the Lord—Admiral of all the oceans and Commander of all the winds—is on board the ship to steer and preserve it from the storm.’
‘We are inclined to a sinful trust and dependence upon each other, and to an inordinate fear and dread of each other. We act as if the creature were a god rather than a man, a spirit rather than flesh. Thus, our fear magnifies and exalts the creature, putting it (as it were) in God’s room and place. God rebukes this sin in His own people: “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker?” (Isa. 51:12–13a). It is evident that fear exalts people and belittles God. It thinks upon a person’s hamful power so much that it forgets God’s saving power. In this way, a mortal worm, which perishes as the grass, eclipses the glory of the great God, who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.’
‘Regrettably, many modern readers grow perplexed at the mere mention of the fear of God. They reject any notion that fear is to characterize the Christian’s approach to God.’
Quotes to remember:
‘The carnal person fears man, not God. The strong Christian fears God, not man. The weak Christian fears man too much and God too little.’
‘It cannot be said of any person, as it is said of Leviathan: he is ‘made without fear’ (Job 41:33b). The strongest people are not without some fears. When the church is in the storms of persecution, and almost covered with the waves, her most courageous passengers may suffer as much from this boisterous passion within as from the storm without. This is the result of not thoroughly believing or seasonably remembering that the Lord—Admiral of all the oceans and Commander of all the winds—is on board the ship to steer and preserve it from the storm.’
‘We are inclined to a sinful trust and dependence upon each other, and to an inordinate fear and dread of each other. We act as if the creature were a god rather than a man, a spirit rather than flesh. Thus, our fear magnifies and exalts the creature, putting it (as it were) in God’s room and place. God rebukes this sin in His own people: “I, even I, am he that comforteth you: Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the LORD thy maker?” (Isa. 51:12–13a). It is evident that fear exalts people and belittles God. It thinks upon a person’s hamful power so much that it forgets God’s saving power. In this way, a mortal worm, which perishes as the grass, eclipses the glory of the great God, who stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth.’
‘Regrettably, many modern readers grow perplexed at the mere mention of the fear of God. They reject any notion that fear is to characterize the Christian’s approach to God.’
December 30, 2024
A change in perspective occurred while reading this book. Why expect more from a broken reed than from the Rock of Ages, of Whom all is to be expected! Why would we base our worries on sinners when our Guide is wisdom itself?
“Our consciences’ peace is directly proportionate to the degree to which the fear of God prevails in our hearts. The same is true of our strength and comfort in the evil day, and of our courage and confidence in the face of danger.”
“Some men owe their death to their fear, but good men (in a sense) owe their lives to their fear. Sinful fear has slain some while godly fear has saved others.”
“If we thoroughly understand and believe what power is in God’s hand to defend us, what tenderness is in His heart to help us, and what faithfulness is in His promises, our hearts will be calm - our courage will grow stronger and our fear will grow weaker.”
“Tertullian: “Are you afraid of a man, Christian, when devils are afraid of you?” “
“Oh, give the Lord no rest until your hearts are at rest by the assurance of His love for you and the pardon of your sins!”
“It is a reproach and dishonor to Christ to fill our heads with distracting cares and fears when we have so wise a Head to consult and work for us.”
“Whoever lives by faith never dies by fear.”
“Our consciences’ peace is directly proportionate to the degree to which the fear of God prevails in our hearts. The same is true of our strength and comfort in the evil day, and of our courage and confidence in the face of danger.”
“Some men owe their death to their fear, but good men (in a sense) owe their lives to their fear. Sinful fear has slain some while godly fear has saved others.”
“If we thoroughly understand and believe what power is in God’s hand to defend us, what tenderness is in His heart to help us, and what faithfulness is in His promises, our hearts will be calm - our courage will grow stronger and our fear will grow weaker.”
“Tertullian: “Are you afraid of a man, Christian, when devils are afraid of you?” “
“Oh, give the Lord no rest until your hearts are at rest by the assurance of His love for you and the pardon of your sins!”
“It is a reproach and dishonor to Christ to fill our heads with distracting cares and fears when we have so wise a Head to consult and work for us.”
“Whoever lives by faith never dies by fear.”
February 24, 2025
Covers the many complexities of fear very thoroughly while also making it digestible and incredibly practical as well.
As Christians living in the 21st century, we often do not talk about fear as a 'sin', failing to carry out Christ's command of, "Do not worry", forgetting that we are no longer "slaves to fear". This book does a great job at showing the difference between a sinful fear of man and a righteous fear of God - to be afraid of anything earthly is to claim that it has power over God which is false as God is in full control. Everything we do must come from a strong fear of God, knowing that nothing is above Him or out of His control, then all earthly dangers fall away.
Flavel also lays out a very helpful and practical way to overcome sinful fear in our lives, including the practice of resting in God's grace.
This is the first book in the 'Puritan Treasures For Today' series that I have read and I was impressed by how accessible it make Flavel's writing. Definitely a great place to start if interested in reading Puritan literature, and after I may go to the original texts.
As Christians living in the 21st century, we often do not talk about fear as a 'sin', failing to carry out Christ's command of, "Do not worry", forgetting that we are no longer "slaves to fear". This book does a great job at showing the difference between a sinful fear of man and a righteous fear of God - to be afraid of anything earthly is to claim that it has power over God which is false as God is in full control. Everything we do must come from a strong fear of God, knowing that nothing is above Him or out of His control, then all earthly dangers fall away.
Flavel also lays out a very helpful and practical way to overcome sinful fear in our lives, including the practice of resting in God's grace.
This is the first book in the 'Puritan Treasures For Today' series that I have read and I was impressed by how accessible it make Flavel's writing. Definitely a great place to start if interested in reading Puritan literature, and after I may go to the original texts.
October 24, 2024
John Flavel, at the dawn of the Reformation, wrote this book talking about the different fears that a Christian faces, outlines the different causes, effects, and remedies for such fears. I have listed them down below:
Types of fear: 1. Natural 2. Sinful and 3. Religious
Causes: 1. Guilt 2. Ignorance & darkness 3. Guilty conscience
4. Promiscuous administration of providence 5. Excess love of life
& comforts in our life 6. Influence of Satan
Effects: 1. Distraction from duty 2. Dissimulation & hypocrisy
3. Strengthen our temptations 4. Cowardliness 5. Apostasy 6. Makes death
a thousand times worse
Remedy: 1. Study covenant of grace 2. Consider the bad effects of fear
3. Foresee the fear 4. Commit yourself to the hands of God 5. Get rid
of your attachment to the world 6. Take heart from the examples set before us
7. Make your interest in Christ clear 8. Pursue purity of conscience and
have integrity in my ways 9. Remember God's care over you
I think the book is a classic & helped me personally through this season of fear. I would give it a 4/5!
Types of fear: 1. Natural 2. Sinful and 3. Religious
Causes: 1. Guilt 2. Ignorance & darkness 3. Guilty conscience
4. Promiscuous administration of providence 5. Excess love of life
& comforts in our life 6. Influence of Satan
Effects: 1. Distraction from duty 2. Dissimulation & hypocrisy
3. Strengthen our temptations 4. Cowardliness 5. Apostasy 6. Makes death
a thousand times worse
Remedy: 1. Study covenant of grace 2. Consider the bad effects of fear
3. Foresee the fear 4. Commit yourself to the hands of God 5. Get rid
of your attachment to the world 6. Take heart from the examples set before us
7. Make your interest in Christ clear 8. Pursue purity of conscience and
have integrity in my ways 9. Remember God's care over you
I think the book is a classic & helped me personally through this season of fear. I would give it a 4/5!
February 26, 2024
The best idea I gained is that, as Christians, we were guaranteed a life of persecution. We should not desire a life without troubles, but rather the honor of dying for Christ.
The organization of information was a bit overwhelming at times, but I found several useful nuggets and takeaways. The book is filled with scripture and historical references to encourage and strengthen us in times of fear. Also seeks to guide us in overcoming and subduing our “slavish fear”. Now that I’ve finished, I’m going to review my notes to better meditate on what I’ve learned.
The organization of information was a bit overwhelming at times, but I found several useful nuggets and takeaways. The book is filled with scripture and historical references to encourage and strengthen us in times of fear. Also seeks to guide us in overcoming and subduing our “slavish fear”. Now that I’ve finished, I’m going to review my notes to better meditate on what I’ve learned.
November 3, 2024
A true masterpiece. Written in an age when ministers had to seriously contemplate ending their lives at the stake rather than at a retirement home in Florida. My wife and I are newly allocated missionaries and this book about fear is my favorite book of the year. Flavel walks us step by step through our objections, fears, and step by step through the solutions to the timid life so many of us fall into, in America (and in missions!) In a world where modern terrors pair with the modern illusions of control to cast us far from Christ -Give me a godly fear!
October 18, 2025
Flavel, an English Puritan, has created a masterwork devotional dedicated toward the triumph over sinful fear.
Flavel clearly lays out his arguments in these short 100 pages and imbues the dedicated Christian with an enriched mindset centered upon Christ our Lord.
Highly recommend the read if you struggle with obedience to Jesus, as I, and thousands of other Christians do. It is easier to succumb to the world and the fear of man, but Flavel reminds us that "easier" will always lead to a diminished Kingdom of God.
Flavel clearly lays out his arguments in these short 100 pages and imbues the dedicated Christian with an enriched mindset centered upon Christ our Lord.
Highly recommend the read if you struggle with obedience to Jesus, as I, and thousands of other Christians do. It is easier to succumb to the world and the fear of man, but Flavel reminds us that "easier" will always lead to a diminished Kingdom of God.
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