The Fear of the Lord
There are different kinds of fear that the Bible mentions; a natural fear for protection, the spirit of fear or tormenting demonic fear (2 Timothy 1:7), and the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a heart attitude of love, respect, and reverence toward the Lord that leads to obedience to His written Word and the Holy Spirit in your life. As a side note, the Holy Spirit will never ask you to do something that contradicts the written Word of God.
In Deuteronomy 5:29 God Himself says, “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever.” This verse is in the context of God calling His people to go up the mountain so He could speak to them, but they refused to go and told Moses to go up for them. One characteristic of the fear of the Lord is that you will desire and pursue an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. You will not only want to hear God speak to you through your Pastor and other ministers, but you will desire a personal relationship with Him yourself.
The Word of God says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). In fact, the fear of the Lord and wisdom are twins. You can’t possess one without the other. Wherever you read about wisdom in the Bible, the fear of the Lord is attached to it. Proverbs 8:13 says, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” So if the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the fear of the Lord is to hate evil, then wisdom means to hate and reject evil and to do righteousness; to be a doer of the Word of God. A Christian that has the fear of the Lord will not support ungodly stances on such issues as abortion or ordination of homosexual ministers. A Christian that has the fear of the Lord will not lie, cheat, gossip, let corrupt communication come out of their mouth, hold unforgiveness and bitterness, etc. When you possess the fear of the Lord in your life, it will be evident in your relationships with others.
Proverbs 15:33 says, “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.” A person who has the fear of the Lord is humble. Humility simply means to do things God’s way and not your own. Pride is simply rejecting God and His commandments.
There is protection for you in the fear of the Lord. Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” Proverbs 14:26 says, “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge.” Another characteristic of the fear of the Lord is having faith, trust, and strong confidence in Him. In doing so, you will have a place of refuge from all evil. According to Psalm 91:14-16, to truly have faith in God means you know Him, you know His Name, and you have set your love on Him. The only way to prove your love for the Lord Jesus Christ is to live a life of obedience to His Word; the Bible. Talk alone is cheap and meaningless when it is not mixed with a holy lifestyle as a Christian.
Having the fear of the Lord in your life will bring health to your flesh (physical body). Proverbs 3:7-8 says, “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It (the fear of the Lord) will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”
So why would God be so concerned about His people fearing Him? Is He just legalistic and on a power trip? No! God desires intimate fellowship with His children, and for us to walk in the fullness of His blessing and power in our lives; to live an abundant life (John 10:10). Without the fear of the Lord, you will give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27), and block God’s blessings from coming into your life. Again, hear God’s desire and heart cry for His children in Deuteronomy 5:29, “Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever.”
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