Love vs. Fear — “Love Draws, Fear Drives”
Introduction to the Series
This is Part One of a nine-part devotional blog series exploring the stark contrast between the fruit of God's love and the fruit of Satan’s fear.
In Galatians 5, Paul speaks of the Fruit of the Spirit—not fruits. I believe that’s intentional. The Fruit of the Spirit is agape love—God’s perfect, selfless love. The rest of the list—joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not separate fruits but expressions of that one divine fruit: Love in action.
In the same way, fear (Satan’s counterfeit root) produces its own kind of “fruit”—anxieties, striving, harshness, impulsivity, doubt, and compromise. But unlike love, fear doesn't grow life. It chokes it.
Each post in this series will unpack a characteristic of the Fruit of the Spirit and contrast it with its fear-based opposite, so we can learn to bear the fruit of God's presence to crowd out what doesn’t belong.
“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.”
—1 John 4:18 (NIV)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
—2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Love draws.
Fear drives.
That’s the tug-of-war that happens inside every one of us.
Fear is hell’s fuel—it fuels Satan’s strategies.
Love is heaven’s gravity—it pulls us deeper into God’s heart.
Fear says, “Run for your life.”
Love says, “Come rest in Mine.”
Fear wants control.
Love gives freedom.
From Eden to now, the enemy has used fear to sow doubt, insecurity, and striving.
He says, “Did God really say…?” and before you know it, you’re eating lies instead of resting in love.
But love is different.
It doesn’t push. It draws.
It doesn’t demand. It invites.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear…”
That fear you feel? That pressure? That panic? It didn’t come from your Father. He gives power, love, and clarity, not chaos.
And here’s the best part:
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)
You don’t have to manufacture love. You just have to receive it.
And fear? It can’t stick around when love moves in.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your perfect love. Fear has too often been my compass, but I choose today to let Your love lead. Replace panic with peace, striving with surrender, and fear with faith. Thank You that Your love doesn’t just comfort me—it changes me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.