In this sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:12, Charles Spurgeon teaches that fear can either destroy us or help us, depending on whether it's the wrong kind of fear (like fearing people's opinions or worldly loss) or the right kind of fear (godly fear that draws us to God). He describes five types of godly fear that Christians experience: (1) the fear of an awakened conscience when someone first realizes they're a sinner deserving God's wrath, (2) the anxious fear of doubting whether one is truly saved, (3) the cautious fear of falling into sin and dishonoring God, (4) the jealous fear of letting anything besides Jesus take first place in our hearts, and (5) the reverent fear felt when experiencing God's awesome presence. Spurgeon encourages people struggling with these fears by assuring them that "it shall be well with them that fear God"—that these fears are actually signs of true faith, and God promises to save and keep safe all who genuinely fear Him and turn to Christ for salvation.

Sermon delivered by Charles Spurgeon on August 23, 1857.