Natural fear is not wrong; in fact it is inherently human. It leads you to be prudent when confronted with danger (Proverbs 22:3).

However, you can identify sinful fear by the following characteristics: if it hinders you from doing the right thing, or if it motivates you to do the wrong thing, if it is self-seeking, or does not believe the promises of God, or if it values other’s opinions over God.

This is the fear of which Paul warns Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7), and this is the fear of which believers should repent.