Fear of the Lord

[Janette]

So...What about the fear of the Lord?

Many ministers beat their sheep and frighten away new ones over and over with the idea that we are to be afraid of the Lord. They point out that the Bible has many verses about how we are supposed have within us a fear of God. And it's true...there are several.

But what does that mean?

They act like "fear of drowning" and "fear of God" are exactly the same thing: The emotion of fear as applied to drowning or to God.

So I might fear being bitten by a rattlesnake (a real concern where I live)....

And I might equally fear God.

But I don't *want* to see any rattlesnakes...and if I found one on my property I'd probably kill it.

How's that supposed to work between me and ... God...?!?

I think these preachers ask the wrong question. If the "what" is fear, then let's do like every little child does all day and ask WHY....

"Why does my Daddy want me to be afraid of Him?"

The question sticks in your throat doesn't it? If you have children, just *try* to imagine your little one walking up to you and asking that question just that way. It breaks your heart. If it doesn't, there's something *wrong* with you.

"Daddy why do you want me to be afraid of you?"

THAT'S a question that would cut any father like razors.

"Oh no sweetheart," the moms say consolingly, "Daddy doesn't want you to be afraid of him...he just wants you to obey him so that you don't get into trouble and don't get hurt."

"Baby doll, I don't want you to be afraid of me," all the daddies say hurriedly, "I just really need you to *listen* to me when I tell you something, because you could get hurt if you don't and I don't want that for you."

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So if we're not all supposed to be feeling that kind of fear that ABSOLUTELY leads to avoidance or resentment or even hatred...then what is the proper definition of the fear of the Lord?

Well don't take any words I would say about it. Someone far more wise on the subject than I am already gave us a definition:

When Satan is tempting our Savior in the wilderness he tells the Lord that if He would just bow down and worship that awful liar, then Satan would "give" to Jesus all the kingdoms of the earth.

Jesus replies, "It is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only will thou serve." (Matt 4:10/Luke 4:8 KJV)

The Holy Spirit records that Jesus says it that way - twice - once in Luke and once in Matthew. There is no record of Him saying it any other way. He wanted to make certain we understood what He was talking about and that we had references for it to amplify Scripture with Scripture because it's an important concept.

See, in both records Christ says "It is written...." ... but WHERE?

The only place in Scripture that comes close (and it should be noted that it was not an exact quote -- for if a man paraphrases the Bible it's because he doesn't remember the exact words -- but if the LORD paraphrases the Bible there is a Higher Purpose to it, He does not contradict Himself) is Deuteronomy 6:13 and 10:20.

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. (Deut. 6:16 KJV)

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. (Deut. 10:20 KJV)

So according to the Lamb of God, according to Grace made flesh, according to our SAVIOR...

fear (of God) = worship ... and incidentally in Hebrew "worship" and "obey" are usually the same word.

Who better to define the fear of the Lord than ... the Lord?

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This is clearly not the kind of "Hellfire and Brimstone" terror that makes any bright animal shrink away. This is the kind of fear and trembling brought about by wonder and joy and awe. This is the kind of "fear" you get when something spectacular and GOOD happens to you.

The sheep don't fear the Shepherd - they fear the wolf. If a minister brings terror to the flock - does he represent the Shepherd of the flock or the wolf who would harm them?

Everyone needs correction. We are still in the flesh and we still have moments of weakness. Some are further and more developed in their relationship with Jesus than others. But correction is not fear mongering.

Obey the Lord. If you wonder how you are supposed to approach Him as a believer and a new creature, then follow His own instruction to His disciples upon being Transfigured:

 

[Trishann]

Hi Janette,

The fear of the Lord to me is:

Knowing God is the almighty
He created the universe
He is above us, not under us
He is the one with supreme authority, not us

Yet being justifed by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1

It is a different kind of fear then like the everyday life's situation that may cause one to fear or fear of mankind because God is above that fear.

Even though God loves us and have shown it to us, we can't think of ourselves better than Him or that we are greater then Him. I think that is when fear is not there. Pride sets in and then there is no fear of God.

 

[jiggyfly]

Good post Janette. I agree wth you totally and wonder why people are always trying to scrare others into the kingdom with fear of hell.

Look at what John says.
*Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us. 1John 4:18



Ever wondered why Paul never preached hell fire? He preached the good news. The scriptures don't record Paul saying I got good news and bad news:shock:

 

[Agapē]

Most of the time, when in the Bible it says someone "feared" God, it was referring to awe, revernce. In fact, when an angel would usually appear to someone, what would that person do? They almost always bowed down.(Except Jacob, who chose to wrestle with him instead) Never once did they show any sign of actual physcological fear. Instead, it was always that of awe and reverence.

 

[Guardian]

I will, never fear God. Although I will bow(in reverence) before him, for I am not nearly worthy enough to be in that place.

 

[Trishann]

I know the doctrine of eternal punishment, is being take out by some cults and others. Preaching all is well, and no one have to fear.

The gospel and Revelation also teaches about the eternal punishment.
Those who received Jesus Christ as their Savior need not to fear but those who refuse Jesus Christ will suffer the eternal punishment.

So why not preach about these things, so others may escape the punishment. We have a choice life or death.

God Bless, Trish

 

[jiggyfly]

Matthew 28:2-5
2*And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3*His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4*and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5*And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye:

Luke 1:11-13
11*And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12*And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13*But the angel said unto him, Fear not,

Luke 2:9
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10*And the angel said unto them, Fear not:

 

[rlowe]

According to Strong's, what in English Bibles is written "fear" may mean:
respect, reverence, piety, &/or fear.

Christian revere God, for He is worthy & mighty.
God is love & perfect love drives out fear.
Thus true fear of God is only in Non-Christians.

 

[oboy]

God has recently been speaking to me again about the Fear of the Lord. There is a very sad lack of understanding on this topic in the church today.

Proverbs 8:13 says, "To fear the LORD is to hate evil." And Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom."

Does this "fear" mean to "respect" God, or does it mean to be afraid of Him? I believe that it's the latter.

Isaiah 8:13 says, "The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread."

"Dread" doesn't quite have the same meaning as "respect."

Psalm 99:1 tells us, "The LORD reigns, let the nations tremble; He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake."

In Psalm 2, He gives a warning to kings:

Psa 2:10-12
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

But it's not just the Old Testament that tells us to fear God.

Hebrews 10:31 says, "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The KJV says that it is a "fearful thing."

Jesus told us in Luke 12:5, "Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him."

In Acts 5, we read how Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and fell down dead. Verse 11 says, "Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events."

In our Christian life, we need to fear God and tremble at His word.

At the same time, we are to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. He loves us with a love that words cannot begin to describe.

What we find is that the fear of the Lord and the love of the Lord both have an important role in the Christian's life.

For a great book on understanding more about the Fear of the Lord, may I suggest Intimate Friendship With God (through understanding the Fear of the Lord) by Joy Dawson. (amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0800794419/smithworksorg)