Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge" (LSB). We see the term "the fear of the Lord" throughout scripture yet many believers do not know what it is. Some think the fear of the Lord is being terrified of God like one has a horrific fear of heights, spiders, or clowns.
What exactly is the fear of the Lord? Some have defined as reverence and awe to the Lord. Some have defined it as giving God the ultimate respect He deserves. Those are good definitions, but I think the fear of the Lord is simply living the life He has given us that honors Him. Have you ever asked yourself, "Have I let God down today?" I am sure we have all thought that.
Have we ever considered if our manner of living reflects the character of God? Pastors, have you asked if your church is truly a Bible-centered, Christ-exalting church, or one that wants to be a man-pleasing church? God-fearing men and women live their lives to exalt God to the point that we must not bring shame to His name.
David Murray gives us 40 truths regarding the fear of God from the Old and New Testaments:
Old Testament
Fearing God is the right reaction to sin, guilt, and shame (Gen. 3:10).
Fearing God will flow from being in the presence of God (Gen. 28:16-17: Ex. 3:6).
Fearing God is an appropriate response to God’s character (Gen. 31:42).
Fearing God is an essential characteristic of Christian leaders (Ex.18:21).
Fearing God is the ultimate purpose of divine revelation (Deut. 4:10).
Fearing God should flow from the administration of justice (Deut. 17:13; 21:19-21).
Fearing God is the mark of an exceptional believer (Neh. 7:2).
Fearing God is approved by God and noted by Satan (Job 1:1, 9).
Fearing God is the right response to the exalted Christ (Ps.2:10-11).
Fearing God is to be mixed with joy (Ps. 2:10-11).
Fearing God will happen where mission is successful (Ps. 67:7).
Fearing God assures us of God’s mercy and love (Ps. 103:11, 13).
Fearing God is the result of forgiveness (Ps. 130:4).
Fearing God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7).
Fearing God is the end of wisdom (Eccl. 12:13-14).
Fearing God turns us away from evil (Prov. 3:7).
Fearing God will extend your life (Prov. 10:27) and improve the quality of your life (Prov. 14:27).
Fearing God will make you happier than millions of dollars (Prov. 15:16).
Fearing God neutralizes envy and is to be present throughout our lives (Prov. 23:17).
Fearing God is more important than looks in choosing a wife (Prov. 31:30).
Fearing God is a dominant trait in the Messiah and will always accompany the work of the Holy Spirit (Isa. 11:2-3).
Fearing God is the promised gift of God to new covenant believers (Jer. 32:40).
Fearing God helps them persevere in the faith (Jer. 32:40).
New Testament
Fearing God is commanded by Jesus (Matt. 10:28).
Fearing God is still expected of God’s people in the New Testament (Luke 1:49-50).
Fearing God grows in response to miracles (Luke 5:8).
Fearing God was one of the fruits of Pentecost (Acts 2:43).
Fearing God is a spiritually healthy reaction to his judgments in the church (Acts 5:5,11).
Fearing God is a mark of the New Testament church and is consistent with the comforting work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:31).
Fearing God is deepened by sovereign election (Rom. 11:20-21).
Fearing God is a motive for evangelism (2 Cor. 5:10-11).
Fearing God motivates sanctification (2 Cor. 7:1).
Fearing God is the framework for a biblical marriage (Eph. 5:21).
Fearing God makes us better employees (Col. 3:22).
Fearing God is the context for working out our salvation (Phil. 2:12-13).
Fearing God assists perseverance in faith (Heb. 4:1).
Fearing God is intensified by redemption and continues throughout our whole lives (1 Peter 1:17-19).
Fearing God is an essential part of successful witnessing (1 Peter 3:15).
Fearing God is God’s last sermon to the world (Rev. 14:6-7).
Fearing God continues into eternity (Rev. 15:3-4; 19:4-5).
Fearing God is our response to His kindness, His grace, and His salvation. We are to fear Him by living our lives to reflect His glory.
May we all grow in the fear of the Lord.
Recommended Reading:
The Forgotten Fear: Where Have All the God Fearers Gone? by Albert Martin
Rejoice and Tremble: The Surprising Good News of the Fear of the Lord by Michael Reeves
The Fear of God by John Bunyan
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