Can true goodness come from fear?

Answer 1

Nope. By the way Markster, that was an excellent answer by you a few minutes ago.

Answer 2

Sure. It does all the time. People have a fear that if they perform evil actions, it may harm someone, or it may fail to contribute to the greater good. This is a healthy fear of evil. Now fear of punishment as a motivator for good behavior, on the other hand, is probably not the ideal situation. And I think that's what you were referring to. So to answer that question, no. True goodness must come from a desire to be good and love for God, for one's fellow beings, and for oneself.

Answer 3

This might not answer your question in context, but a certain amount of fear can be healthy, it's what:

keeps you from climbing a mountain, or on dry land when a storm is pending

it's why you wear your seat belt

it's why you take a flair or batteries for your radio

it's why you pack and flee when there is a level 5 hurricane coming your way

it's why you leave ample room between you and the driver in front of you

it's why you slow down on a icy or wet road

and on and on :)

likewise you can be scared straight so to speak -- removed from bad or potentially harmful thinking or behaviors, because you fear the consequences

Answer 4

Yes! As a matter of fact we had a talk on that very subject two weeks ago and the speaker cleared up the subject nicely by showing the term "fear God" isn't meant to be terrified of him.
It is reverential respect and love of him and his commands.
There is a special understanding that comes with the proper fear factor, and yes, to answer your question, fear is a good thing in this aspect. More can be found in this link, if your not terrified of our website.

Answer 5

Elegant question! My own thinking on the matter is that fear tends to make one place self-preservation above all else, and since true goodness is most often linked to altruist behavior, the concern for the wellfare of others, goodness is not highly probable, unless the fear is community-wide, which tends to bring out altruism in many members of a community.

Answer 6

No true goodness cannot come from fear, fear only breeds false love or peace because it is created out of a belief that one has to be that way so as not to be punished. That is not true love or true goodness, it is merely an action of the mind and not of the heart to keep from negative reactions that caused the fear to begin with. Fear begets fear, it does not beget love.

True goodness comes out of love and love alone.

Fear is the breeder of contempt, rage, anger and all that is not good.

Answer 7

you can not fear anyone but your God, so if you fear nothing but god and fear everything for god then you will not be tempted into evil or sin as your fear for god will be your guard and your decision. If you do not fear his judgement than you will not have 'true goodness' although what is the definition of 'true goodness' in todays day and age we are surrounded by media and entertainment that is lustful, subjective, crude and 'untruthful' how are we to face this without giving in and i think thats were our fear of god begins to show... the fight against temptation is from the fear of God.

Answer 8

“The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)The fear of God to which Solomon referred is not a morbid fear of an unknown spirit force. Rather, it is a wholesome dread of displeasing someone you dearly love. If you love a person deeply, you certainly want to please that person at all times and avoid doing anything that might offend him

The Bible explains that “the fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad.” (Proverbs 8:13) So godly fear includes an inner aversion or disgust toward all that is bad in Jehovah’s eyes. Jesus told them: “Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.” (Matthew 10:28) Fear of men is shortsighted, Jesus explained, for men cannot destroy our future life prospects. Furthermore, we fear God because we recognize his awesome power, in comparison with which the might of all the nations is insignificant. (Isaiah 40:15)

Answer 9

Not really. A criminal might not break the law because he is afraid of going to jail but inside he still wants to break the law and so his "goodness" is only manifested on the outside and is a mask for the evil that lurks in his heart.

True goodness comes from being born again by God's Holy Spirit who gradually changes a person from the inside. Then the external manifestation of being a good person is a mirror of what goes on in their heart and mind.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, (21) envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (24) And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Answer 10

True goodness comes from an open heart. Fear has the element of coercion in it. So how can you force someone to be truly good?

Answer 11

True goodness does not come from fear; it comes from love and knowledge. Followers of various religions learn about the love and knowledge of God in the Holy Books, then they devotedly practice in charitable actions.