meanness. The New Testament writers were trying to bolster the faith of their disciple in the face of real dangers we haven't seen yet. They wrote to them and us to fear God not the opponent. But when we fear God He will look out for us better that any earthly friend will. He looks out for our eternal soul.
  I John 4:18-19 "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfect in love. We love because He first loved us."
  This means that we don't have to fear God as a mean and nasty disciplinarian. Some have an inordinate fear that God will do something to them. He does discipline His own, when we give in to temptation.
    Heb. 12:5-6 "And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, 'My son do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives."
  I believe I have seen this discipline from God and I should expect to see it again if I am disobedient. We can be confident in the discipline that we are sons and daughters of the Lord.
Rom. 8:14-15 "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a Spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a Spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out 'Abba! Father!"
We have been adopted as His sons and daughters, but we must do something or be disciplined. We must recognize that we are sinful people. Not that we suffer from "Original sin." That is the sin of Adam has not been rolled down to us. We suffer and are responsible for our own sin. We have not inherited Adam's sin but we have inherited his sinful nature. First we must confess our sins;
I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 
There is a stipulation that is taken for granted in this statement. The former teachings must not be overlooked. God cannot accept us with our sinfulness unless we repent. If we fall away from the faith we should not expect to go to heaven.
Luke 13:3 "I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
Don't fear the discipline fear the sin! God loves us it is plain to see in scripture such as (John 3:16) and Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." God cares for us:
I Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."
Knowing that He cares for us and loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us, what should be our response? We should trust and obey Him like a young child with it's parent.
    Philippians 1:27-28 indicates that we need boldness instead of fear. Paul was willing to give up his life if it would have been necessary, Vs 21. Being in prison his life was in their hands but somehow he knew he would be OK and "somehow" he trusted God for the outcome.
    The indication here is that we show no signs of weakness. Don't let the opponent destroy our faith by terrifying us. Let them see our faith through the troubles that come.