The Fear of God
Just as people choose where to place their faith we also choose where to place our fear. It is a very important decision made in the heart, important because what ever you fear has power over you.
(Isaiah 11:2) The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
The fear of God comes from the knowledge of God, which is from knowing God. The Bible tells us that the beginning of wisdom and knowledge is the fear of the Lord. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10) As God’s presence is revealed to us physically and spiritually we stand in awesome respect of His power and majesty. The children of Israel had an encounter with God that made an impression on them at Mount Sinai. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. (Exodus 19:17-19)
In God’s presence the people were terrified, but Moses explained that this was good for them. God had revealed a small portion of His power to them so that the fear of God would be with them to keep them from sinning. When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” (Exodus 20:18-20)
The greater our knowledge of God the greater our love will be for Him, and the greater our fear (awesome respect) of Him will be also. The prophet Isaiah had an encounter with God that changed his life. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 6:1-5) In the revelation of God’s light and glory even our slightest shortcomings are revealed which causes us to immediately repent. Notice that Isaiah even felt contaminated by the sin of the people that he had been with, when he stood before God.
When John first began to receive the Revelation of Jesus Christ he fell at His feet like a dead man. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. (Revelation 1:14-17)
Because God is Love His glory and majesty radiate His Love like the power of a million suns. God’s Love is the sum total of all existing energy both seen and unseen in the universe, just as the Sun is the source of all physical energy on the earth. Who among people would not fear when standing in the presence of the Almighty Creator of the universe? For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (Psalms 103:11-14)
The fear of God is a theme that is mentioned throughout the Bible. But it is a subject that has been neglected by many pastors and teachers of God’s word today. The fear of God is a very important aspect in a Christian’s life because it is a characteristic of the Holy Spirit. A lack of the fear of God in a person’s life means they have a lack of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Without the fear of God a person becomes unbalanced in their understanding of God, and in their relationship with the Lord. The fear of God causes His children to run to Him, and His enemies to flee from Him.
The fear of God is a gift from God, given through the Holy Spirit, which He puts in our heart to keep us close to Him. “They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.”(Jeremiah 32:38-40)
The Bible tells us that through the anointing of the Holy Spirit Jesus delighted in the fear of the Lord. There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. (Isaiah 11:1-4 NKJV)
Jesus the Christ delighted in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears. Jesus told us that He only said what He heard the Father say, and He only did what He saw the Father do, He only did those things that pleased the Father. We also delight in the fear of the Lord because it causes us to walk in obedience to the Father so that we have the joy of a clean heart.
True love, and true fear of God, are revealed and experienced through the Holy Spirit. God’s love is the power and motivation to do His commandments, and God’s fear is the ability to understand and walk in His righteous judgments, His commandments, and not our own decisions. Like a protective wall the fear of God keeps us walking on the right path. The joy of a clean heart does not come from our own self it comes from experiencing God’s joy when we walk in His love doing His commandments. “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:10-13)
The fear of God leads to obedience of God, which gives us confidence in our heart before God. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. (1stJohn 3:21-22) Walking in the fear of the Lord causes us to walk in righteousness, experiencing the joy of a right relationship with our God. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalms 32:11)
The Bible tells us that we perfect holiness in the fear of God. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). It is by God’s grace and mercy that He adopts us to be His Children, and we accept Him as our Father in humble honesty of our need for His mercy. Just as with a good human father, his children both love and fear him, the combination of this love and fear causes the children to walk in obedience. The love and fear of the Lord is also needed in our lives to bring about spiritual maturity, that we may fully depart from evil and cling to the One we love. In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. (Proverbs 16:6)
People that study human behavior know that the most powerful way to control behavior is with a combination of positive and negative reinforcement, which is reward and punishment. God cares about us and our behavior, that is why the Bible is full of positive and negative reinforcement like this passage. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)
Everyone has a fear of something. People that do not have a right relationship with God fear things on earth instead of the God of heaven. People can fear other people, fear situations, and even fear the future when they do not fear God.Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. (Proverbs 1:30-33) People that fear God have confidence on earth because they have no fear of anyone, or any situation, or anything that can happen. In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:26-27)
Your heart is directed toward the one that you fear, and your loyalty is given to the one that you fear. When you fear God you do not fear man, and when you fear man you do not fear God, you choose whom to fear. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm. (Proverbs 1:29-33) There is no fear of harm to those who fear God.
Jesus taught us to fear God and not man. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:28-33)
We have good reason to fear God because of the future judgment we face. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, (Hebrews 9:27) But we also face a type of judgment while on earth, especially those who are the children of God, and that is the law of sowing and reaping. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:7-8)
As a good Father, the Lord disciplines His children out of His love for them. “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. (Hebrews 12:5-10)
Discipline helps us not to repeat mistakes, and the fear of discipline helps us not to make mistakes. The fear of God is clean, and has a cleansing affect upon the child of God, taking us into perfection and holiness before Him, so that we can worship Him in spirit and truth. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. (Psalms 19:9-11) We are to desire God’s judgments and thank Him for them for they show His love for us and they help shape us into the image of Christ. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)
For those who love God we know that everything happens for our benefit and ultimately for God’s glory. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.(Romans 8:28) When we walk in the fear of God we also walk in the blessing of God. Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. (Psalms 128:1) The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. (Proverbs 19:23)
The fear of God comes through knowing God, the knowledge of God comes through revelation given by His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Love. As we become more spiritually mature in Christ our motive for obedience to Him changes from fear of discipline to fear of grieving His Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit is our connection with God, our unity with Him, He is our counselor that communicates God’s words to us, and He is our connection with God’s heart so that we can experience God’s emotions through the Holy Spirit. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:9-11)
As we obey Christ we remain in His love, and His joy will be in us. True love, joy, and peace, do not come from us they come from experiencing God’s emotions through His Holy Spirit in us. When we sin we grieve the Holy Spirit and we become separated from God’s love, joy, and peace. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:29-30)
When a child becomes mature they no longer need physical discipline to obey the parent, they then obey out of love and respect for the parent, they have a fear of grieving the parent, because when the parent feels bad the child also feels bad. The same is true with God’s children.
Below here are some blessings that come from fearing God.
- The fear of God perfects holiness in us.
(Deuteronomy 8:5-6 NKJV) “You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. {6} “Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.
(Proverbs 8:13 NKJV) The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
(Proverbs 14:26-27 NKJV) In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. {27} The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. The fear of God leads to greater faith through greater righteousness.
(Proverbs 16:6 NKJV) In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.
(Proverbs 19:23 NKJV) The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.
(Jeremiah 32:40 NKJV) ‘And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.
(Malachi 3:16 NKJV) Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.
(Matthew 10:28 NKJV) “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. When we fear God we do not fear anyone or anything else.
(2 Corinthians 6:17-18 NKJV) Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” {18} “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV) Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
(Galatians 6:7 NKJV) Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
- Blessings upon those that fear God
(Psalms 25:12-14 NKJV) Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. {13} He himself shall dwell in prosperity, And his descendants shall inherit the earth. {14} The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
(Psalms 33:18-19 NKJV) Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy, {19} To deliver their soul from death, And to keep them alive in famine.
(Psalms 34:7-9 NKJV) The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. {8} Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! {9} Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.
(Psalms 103:13 NKJV) As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
(Psalms 103:17-18 NKJV) But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, {18} To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.
(Psalms 128:1 NKJV) Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways.
(Psalms 147:11 NKJV) The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear Him, In those who hope in His mercy.
(Proverbs 9:10 NKJV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Proverbs 10:27 NKJV) The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.
(Proverbs 15:33 NKJV) The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
(Proverbs 22:4 NKJV) By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.
(Proverbs 23:17-18 NKJV) Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; {18} For surely there is a hereafter, And your hope will not be cut off.
(Proverbs 28:14 NKJV) Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
(Isaiah 11:1-4 NKJV) There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. {2} The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. {3} His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; {4} But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
(Isaiah 33:5-6 NKJV) The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. {6} Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.
(Acts 5:11-14 NKJV) So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. {12} And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. {13} Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. {14} And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,
(Acts 9:31 NKJV) Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
(Acts 10:34-35 NKJV) Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. {35} “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
(Ephesians 5:17-21 NKJV) Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. {18} And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, {19} speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, {20} giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, {21} submitting to one another in the fear of God.
You will fear God either now or later, it is better to fear the Lord now in the time of His mercy. Do not wait to fear Him at the judgment day when it is too late. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV) For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Go to the New Life Page and begin a relationship with the Creator of the universe.