Opening illustration: Seven years ago from today our country was under terrorist attack and the entire nation was in a grip of ’FEAR’ and ’AWE.’ Was God talking about this kind of fear or some other? Let us look into God’s Word and see what is this ‘Fear of the Lord.’
Biblical Background: 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. 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.
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. When John first began to receive the Revelation of Jesus Christ he fell at His feet like a dead man.
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)
There appears to be a growing trend among Christians are to "enjoy" God while, at the same time, there is a neglect on fearing God. There is no verse or passage in God’s Word implying to enjoy God. 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.
1. What is ‘The Fear of God?’ [Definition]
For the unbeliever, the fear of God is to fear the judgment of God and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God (Luke 12:5; Hebrews 10:31). For the believer, the fear of God is something much different. The believer’s fear is reverence of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 is a good description of this, "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." This reverence and awe is exactly what the fear of God means for Christians. This is the motivating factor for us to surrender to the Creator of the Universe.
Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” Until we understand who God is, and develop a reverential fear of Him, we cannot have true wisdom. True wisdom comes only from understanding who God is – that He is holy, just, and righteous. Deuteronomy 10:12, 20-21 records, "Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen." The fear of God is the basis for our walking in His ways, serving Him, and yes, loving Him. And Proverbs 1: 29 declares that ‘Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD.’
• Knowledge ~ difference between good & evil [nothing in between] and knowing God.
Psalm 111: 10, Proverbs 9: 10 & Job 28: 28 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;…”
• Wisdom ~ James 3: 13 – 17 declares, ‘Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.’
*Shows that wise men fear Him or ought to fear Him.
* In some passages ‘Fear’ implies to worship [Joshua 4:24 "that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever."]
Many have the tendency of minimizing the fear of God for believers to “respecting” Him. While respect is definitely included in the concept of fearing God, there is more to it than that. A Biblical fear of God, for the believer, includes understanding how much God hates sin, and fearing His judgment on sin – even in the life of a believer. Hebrews 12:5-11 describes God’s discipline of the believer. While it is done in love (Hebrews 12:6), it is still a fearful thing. As children, the fear of discipline from our parents prevented, hopefully, some evil actions. The same should be true in our relationship with God. We should fear His discipline, and therefore, seek to live our lives in such a way that pleases Him.
Believers are not to be “scared” of God. We have no reason to be scared of Him. We have His promise that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Fearing God means having such a reverence for Him, that it has a great impact on the way we live our lives. The fear of God is respecting Him, submitting to His discipline, and worshipping Him in awe.
Illustration: Two explorers were on a jungle safari when suddenly a ferocious lion jumped in front of them. "Keep calm" the first explorer whispered. "Remember what we read in that book on wild animals? If you stand perfectly still and look the lion in the eye, he will turn and run." "Sure," replied his companion. "You’ve read the book, and I’ve read the book. But has the lion read the book?"
2. How to ‘Fear God?’ [Mode]
(a) Hate evil ~ Proverbs 18: 13 declares, ‘The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.’ Ref: Galatians 5: 19 – 21.
(b) Have little ~ Proverbs 15: 16 declares, ‘Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.’
(c) Instruction of wisdom ~ Proverbs 15: 33 declares, ‘The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.’
(d) Non-envious of sinners ~ Proverbs 23: 17 declares, ‘Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous (passionate) for the fear of the LORD all the day;’
Illustration: One time many years ago, the king of Hungary found himself depressed and unhappy. He sent for his brother, a good-natured but rather indifferent prince. The king said to him, "I am a great sinner; I fear to meet God." But the prince only laughed at him. This didn’t help the king’s disposition any. Though he was a believer, the king had gotten a glimpse of his guilt for the way he’d been living lately, and he seriously wanted help. In those days it was customary if the executioner sounded a trumpet before a man’s door at any hour, it was a signal that he was to be led to his execution. The king sent the executioner in the dead of night to sound the fateful blast at his brother’s door. The prince realized with horror what was happening. Quickly dressing, he stepped to the door and was seized by the executioner, and dragged pale and trembling into the king’s presence. In an agony of terror he fell on his knees before his brother and begged to know how he had offended him. "My brother," answered the king, "if the sight of a human executioner is so terrible to you, shall not I, having grievously offended God, fear to be brought before the judgment seat of Christ?"
Who feared God?
You may still believe you do not need to fear God, but let us examine the Scriptures to see who did fear God. The Bible tells us:
• Abraham feared God-ref Gen 22:12
• Joseph feared God-ref Gen 42:18
• Moses feared God-ref Ex 3:6
• Israel shall hear and fear-ref Deut 21:21
• Jacob was afraid-ref Gen 28:17
• Israel feared the Lord-ref Ex 14:31
• David was afraid of the Lord-ref 2 Sam 6:9
• Nehemiah feared God-ref Neh 5:15
• Job feared God-ref Job 1:1
• The disciples feared exceedingly-ref Mk 4:41
• Fear (of the angel) fell upon Zechariah-ref Lk 1:12
• During the Tribulation, great fear fell upon them-ref Rev 11:11
• During the Millennium, ALL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH SHALL FEAR HIM-Ps 67:7.
In the old days, people of faith were said to walk in the fear of God and to serve the Lord with fear. Wherever God appeared to people in Bible times, the results were an overwhelming sense of terror and dismay, a wrenching sensation of sinfulness and guilt. The self-assurance of modern Christians, the shocking disrespect shown for the Person of God are evidence of deep blindness of heart. The Bible tells us that people in the past feared God and people in the future will fear God. The Bible has also shown that men, such as Moses, Abraham, and Noah, feared God.
3. Why to ‘Fear God?’
(a) Reasons to fear God -
The answer to that is captured in Exodus 20: "The fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." The Israelites feared to meet God or be in His presence ~ they always pushed Moses to represent them before God.
Because our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29; see also Isaiah 33:14)!
Anyone who knows God, knows fear means fear (i.e. to be afraid), especially when it comes to the Almighty. Because, both in His severity (Psalm 90:11) and in His goodness (Jeremiah 33:9; Luke 5:26; 7:16), He is terrifying. It is dangerous to fall into the hands of God.
For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. (Romans 11:36)
(b) Advantages for ‘Fearing God’ -
• The Lord confides in those who fear him (Ps. 25:14);
• God’s great goodness is stored up for those who fear Him (Ps. 31:19);
• His eyes are on those who fear him (Ps. 33:18);
• The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and He delivers them (Ps. 34:7);
• His saints are to fear Him - those who fear Him lack nothing (Ps. 34:9);
• Salvation is near those who fear God (Ps. 85:9);
• God has love for those who fear him as high as the heavens are above the earth (Ps. 103:11);
• His love is with those who fear him (Ps. 103:17);
• The Lord has compassion on those who fear him (Ps. 103:13);
• God provides food for those who fear him (Ps. 111:5);
• He will bless those who fear him (Ps. 115:13);
• God fulfills the desires of those who fear him; He hears their cry and saves them (Ps. 145:19);
• He delights in those who fear him (Ps. 147:11);
• The fear of the LORD prolongs days (Prov. 10: 27)
• In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. (Prov. 14: 26)
• The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. (Prov. 14: 27)
• ….And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. (Prov. 16: 6)
• The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. (Prov. 19: 23)
• By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life. (Proverbs 22: 4)
• His mercy extends to those who fear Him (Lk. 1:50).
• The fear of God adds length to life (Pr. 10:27), is a fountain of life (Pr. 14:27), leads to life (Pr. 19:23), and brings wealth, honor and life when coupled with humility (Pr. 22:4);
• The key to the treasure of salvation, wisdom and knowledge (Is. 33:6);
• Multiplication of believers ~ 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 9: 31)
Conclusion: Even the Christian must fear God. But it is another kind of fear. It is a fear rather of what might have been than of what is; it is a fear of what would come were we not in Christ. Without such fear there can be no true love; for love of the Savior is proportioned to one’s horror of that from which man has been saved. And how strong are the lives that are suffused with such a love! They are lives brave, not because the realities of life have been ignored, but because they have first been faced - lives that are founded upon the solid foundation of God’s grace. May such lives be ours?
Let us learn to "fear the Lord." The Bible assures us that in doing so, your wisdom and understanding of the Scriptures should increase. We have found that God’s dealings with Israel in the Old Testament, certainly cause one to "fear the Lord." We see through the Scriptures, how God deals with sin, how God deals with rebellion, and how righteous and equal His judgments are.
For if we want the presence of God, we need the reverence of God.
WHO SAYS WE SHOULD NOT FEAR GOD?
THE ANSWER IS - SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS.
