Why would the Bible say that fear is the opposite of love?

It does: you’ll find it in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 

(Another translation: “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”)

1 John 4:18: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

Think about it:

First of all, when you’re in a state of fear, you have no time for love. You’re consumed by trepidation. You suspect and expect the worst.

That brings the second issue: faith.

When we fear, we lack faith. We’re not totally trusting in God.

As for love (the single most important goal of life):

When we fear others, we tend not to like them; we tend not to love. Fear comes in many guises. It comes in jealousy. It comes in hatred. It comes in isolation.

It spawns anger, which generates energy demons need.

It comes in limiting yourself and your experiences because you’re so busy battening down the hatches.

Look, we do have to be prudent, and often cautious. Life is filled with treacheries, pitfalls. There is a challenge—and often a struggle—around every corner. It can even be violent.

But when we love, we have God’s Power. We have His Presence. We can transcend whatever it is that may threaten us. We are who He created us to be.

Fear, on the other hand, is the devil’s currency. He loves to dish this out. He loves to overcome and limit you and even bind you with it. St. Thérèse of Lisieux famously said, “It is lack of trust that insults Jesus.” Saint John Paul II in his inaugural message said, “Be not afraid!”

We’re not speaking about “fear” (respect) of the Lord. We’re talking about putting the worry of evil above trust in the Lord. Fear requires walls and suspicion.

“Get thee hence, Satan,” said Christ (Luke 4:8). Simple. 

Scripture doesn’t pretend that fear doesn’t exist. The Bible is full of storms, armies, threats, famines, betrayals, persecutions. It is filled with human beings who tremble. Even the Apostles feared. Even the greatest saints faced moments when their hands shook.

But the Bible draws a sharp line between momentary fear and living under fear as a master.

Fear always lives in the future. Love lives in the Presence of God.

Fear imagines what might happen.

Love clings to Him Who is already there.